Resources For Artists

United Arts Council of Collier County: A Resource for SW Floridians

2010-05-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

The United Arts Council is designated by the State of Florida as the official local arts agency for Collier County. The council provides arts education to at-risk students and outreach services to those who might now otherwise have access to the arts.

In connecting arts organizations, artists, galleries and arts educators with one another and local audiences and tourism-related businesses, the UAC is able to propel the arts community, provide valuable resources and spread art throughout the county.

The organization advocates for more arts education in schools, more funding for the arts, and more art in public places, providing assistance to arts organizations, galleries and artists.

In addition to state funding, the UAC relies on membership fees to function. Single memberships for "friends" and "artists" begin at $65 (while family, gallery, arts and cultural group, business or corporate partner memberships are higher). Click here to become a member and see how you can help the UAC succeed.

The UAC's "What's Happening" section of their website lists an extensive calendar of local events - ranging from activities at the Naples Botanical Garden to Performance Pieces at the Naples Ballet. Each week, there is also an up-to-date "Best Bets for the Weekend" listing.

Check out the site to see their various resources for artists, entertainers and teachers - including listings of auditions, jobs, volunteer positions and more.

Fine Arts Graduate School: Tips and Stats

2010-04-21T14:43:00.001-07:00

Each year US News and World Report publishes lists of the "best" colleges, universities, and graduate schools across the country. While the lists can seem overwhelming (and maybe even a little inaccurate, as they incorporate obscure criteria like "how much professors are paid" into determining the rankings), I recently read an insightful article associated with the magazine's Fine Arts Graduate School rankings that gives some useful advice.

Here's a summary of the article's helpful hints for MFA-bound students:

Consider how you'll be making a living after graduation (not just how you'll make your art) - take advantage of career resources before and during the admissions process and make the school's career center a part of your considerations
Look for schools that teach entrepreneurship, as many artists will go on to start their own galleries or arts non-profit organizations (especially during a recession, when jobs for artists are scarce).
Network, network, network
Vision is essential: because programs are highly competitive, many professors recommend that artists should establish themselves as working artists and build their portfolios (rather than going straight from undergrad to grad school)
Know what you're getting into (and be realistic) - While an MFA might make more jobs available to you as an artist, unfortunately, artists are currently unemployed at twice the rate of other professional workers and as always, artists typically don't make much money. However, in my opinion, if you're passionate enough about your talent and creating art, you'll find other ways to earn a living while doing what you love.

Art Consultants in NYC

2010-03-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

The MFI Art Company, Inc., located in New York City, is an art consulting firm whose clients range from small businesses to major multinational corporations. Since its founding in California in 1977, MFI has provided artwork and services to over 2,200 clients (which include artists, galleries, publishers, and private art dealers).

Art consultants work in various ways and often offer a variety of art-related services. MFI's services include an initial assessment of space and evaluation of the client's needs, expert research in locating artwork, inventory and appraisal, commissions, framing and placement and installation.

For artists, working with art consultants could be an excellent way to sell work and gain exposure. Like most consulting firms, MFI is always looking for new artists to consider for future projects - and also works with art dealers, galleries, print publishers and artist representatives in obtaining new works.

Check out these other art consulting companies located in NYC and around the country

Read more about art consulting at NYFA's website

If you're just in the mood to enjoy NYC's art scene, click here to check out the current and upcoming events going on around the city

DARE to Educate

2010-02-08T15:53:00.000-08:00

DARE (which stands for Digital Art Resources for Education) is an online education resource for contemporary international visual arts, which developed through the Digital Arts Education Research Initiative from 1998 to 2001.

The resource is aimed at a broad educational audience and is divided into four of areas:

Digital - This section includes a periodically changing selection of contemporary webart projects made specifically for the Internet.

Art - "Art" takes visitors to DARE's main resource area, where images and ideas of a diverse range of British and interntional contemporary artists are examined through themes of play, space + place and translation. The section also contains several ideas for project work and critical studies discussions as well as an image gallery of each artists' works, without contextualization.

Resource - Here, additional resources are listed. These resources include a compilation of related books, journals, CD-ROMS and education packs. Text and image resources' full bibliographies are included in this section, as is an extensive list of links to international contemporary artists organizations, galleries and education projects.

Education - The "Education" section has an overview of the approach to teaching and learning about contemporary art and critical studies used by DARE. There are also links to schools who have used DARE since its pilot phase.

DARE's unique in its mission to "ease the flow" between contemporary art practices and current art education. DARE aims to lessen the lack of teacher resources within formal education that teach critical and creative practices of contemporary artists from a diverse range of cultures. The website allows contextual issues to be considered while examining how artists have made their work. It also allows users to access and view work by artists who have not traditionally been looked at in the formal curriculum.

The School of Lifelong Learning and Education hosts DARE's website.

Art&Education

2010-01-28T10:56:00.000-08:00

Art&Education, established in New York in 2006, reaches an international network of over 70,000 visual-art professionals and academics on a daily basis through its website and email list. The website posts announcements and distributes information on the world's most important contemporary art exhibitions, publications and symposia taking place within educational contexts and lists current academic employment opportunities in the visual arts.

Recent announcements and job listings include:

The Arts University College at Bournemouth: The art institute has posted a call for applications for the post of Head of School of Design and Associate Dean.

Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum: The Washington University's Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts' museum in Saint Louis presents "Allison Smith: Needle Work." The artist's works are critically engaging and convey popular forms of historical reenactment. Using sculpture, fabrics, ceramics and other traditional crafts, Smith seeks to "redo, re-stage and re-figure our sense of collective memory."

School of Visual Arts 2010: The school is calling for applicants for its Arts Abroad Programs. Limited space is available for programs in the following places: Barcelona, Florence, Milan, Rome, Puerto Rico, Southern France / Provence, Shanghai, Venice.

UC San Diego, Visual Arts Department: UC San Diego's Visual Arts Department is hosting a series of lectures and panels investigating contemporary theories, practices and debates in the making and reception of public culture as they move through the visual sphere.

Click here for news from art&education.

Click here for art&education's impressive archive of papers, essays, and articles

Click here to subscribe to art&education's newsletters

A Useful Resource for Chicago Artists

2010-01-14T10:09:00.000-08:00

Chicago is one of America's largest cities and contains a thriving (and growing) art scene. From the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, there is so much to see and do, it's almost overwhelming. For Chicago-area artists, I suggest visiting the Chicago Artists Resource, an extensive website that offers useful links, articles, and advice for visual and performance artists and contains a plethora of information regarding business, careers, resources, education, opportunities, etc.

The resources section (under "Visual Arts") mentions relevant issues and current articles -divided by topic - related to artists. One such article (under the "Health / Wellness" topic) deals with health care, one of the nation (and world's) most pressing issues and something that affects everyone from politicians to housewives.

The article, titled "Artists United for Health Care," discusses the organization's partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation and Leveraging Investments in Creativity and their collaborative launching of a united artists' health care reform website. As the article states, the website's goal is to give artists the chance to get directly involved in advocating for meaningful and real reform. To read the entire (important) article, click here.

Other topics included under the "Visual Arts" Resources section include suppliers and services (read how to use the Internet to Market Your Work), advocacy (find out more about the Illinois Arts Council Individual Artist Initiative) and networks (split up into sub-topics like neighborhood organizations, religious artists, artists with disabilities, and many more).

For a list of current and upcoming exhibitions and other art-related events in Chicago, click here.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago's art museums and galleries, click here.

How to Shoot a Jane Bown Portrait

2009-12-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

Guardian Photographer, Eammonn McCabe gives a lesson on shooting the perfect portrait, Jane Bown style (in honor of Bown's November exhibition at Kings Place).

Click here to watch the video, describing how to make sure you:

Get the background right
Make sure you have good light in the eyes
Think about hands, do you need them?
Create a relaxed atmosphere
Try uprights as well as landscapes
Try different lenses
Think about black and white
Watch the light
AND FINALLY... never admit you don't know what you're doing!

Creating a Portfolio to Get Into Art School: A "How To" Guide

2009-12-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

While most college-bound students research schools and apply to those that fit their preferences (such as location, programs that match interests and future career paths, those that correspond to academic achievement thus far, etc), art students have the additional daunting task of putting together a flawless art school portfolio - one that showcases the artist's best work, while also displaying the variety of talents and unique skills of the perspective student.

There are many decisions to be made when gathering a portfolio, and Karyn Tufarolo, an admissions counselor at Philadelphia's University of the Arts, has written a detailed article about preparing an admirable portfolio (which is extremely important for art students wishing to get into BFA programs).

Generally, she states the following characteristics that should be included in and noted when preparing a noteworthy portfolio:
1. drawing from observation
2. work in color
3. design work
4. other media
5. requirements for a particular school

To read more about what admissions officers look for, what to expect during the application process, and some of the "dos" and "don'ts" associated with applying to and getting into art school, click here.

Kickstarter

2009-12-16T14:54:00.001-08:00

Inventors of every kind know about the trials and tribulations associated with financing their projects. While it is frustrating to be so passionate about an idea - but be roadblocked by the inability to fund its production, I recently came across a resource that may be of some use called Kickstarter.

Kickstarter calls itself a "funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, investors, explorers..."

This innovative website, which is based in Brooklyn and was founded by five men residing across the U.S., gives creative people the opportunity to put their ideas out there, get funding, and yet, still maintain 100% ownership and control of their ideas and inventions. Although some aspects of the process are a little daunting - it's all or nothing (i.e. if an artist needs $5,000 in funding and only $4,999 is pledged, that artist gets nothing) - this resource is a novel approach for inventors struggling to find a way to fund their projects.

Current popular projects that have received over 100% funding include: "Designing Obama" (a book of art and design from Obama's campaign), "Robin Writes a Book" (A detective story set halfway between San Francisco and the Internet), "OpenIndie: 100 Pioneering Filmmakers Embrace Modern Cinema" (a project for a user generated film screening website), and "Poorcraft: A Comic Book Guide to Frugal Urban and Suburban Living."

Read more about this exciting resource here.

Friday Nights at the de Young

2009-10-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Artists (and art lovers) around the Bay Area should take advantage of de Young Museum's extended hours and special programs offered on Friday Nights. The museum's eclectic activities include everything from jazz performances to mask making. The programs attract diverse audiences that come together in an artistic and creative atmosphere. Check it out!

Website of opportunities

2009-09-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Right now we all know that the economy has gone down the ... well, you know what. We could all use a little help right now with a grant/residency/etc. to give us a boost in the studio. I came across this website - artdeadlines.com - that is a pretty good survey of all sorts of listings for us artsy folk. You can also receive a newsletter with updates of new opportunities or approaching deadlines...

The Torpedo Factory

2009-09-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

If you live in or near Washington, D.C. (or even if you're planning a trip), the Torpedo Factory in old town Alexandria, Virginia is definitely worth a visit. Formerly an actual factory that produced torpedoes, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to 82 artist studios, 6 galleries, 2 workshops, and a museum that you can visit. Also, the center offers art classes through The Art League School.

Often it can seem difficult to find a good art scene in the U.S. if you're outside of New York, Chicago, or L.A., but that simply isn't true. You just have to look a little bit to find resources that can help you. While the gallery scene in D.C. isn't as amazing as other cities, there are incredible museums (hello Smithsonian!) that you can take advantage of. Part of being an artist is utilizing your local resources for what you need.

Local galleries

2009-08-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Today while perusing one of my favorite indulgences, ApartmentTherapy, I was reminded of a simple artist resource you can take advantage of, even if you're not living in a big city like New York or L.A. - the local gallery. Most small cities or towns throughout our great country have at least one cultural center or art gallery set up to serve local artists. We often get swept away by larger-than-life ideas of what we want out art to be (in museums, Chelsea galleries, etc.), but sometimes showing our work at the local level is more rewarding, in terms of feedback (not to mention sales).

ApartmentTherapy profiled Austin Art Garage in Texas, which shows the work of emerging artists on a monthly basis. I encourage everyone to look into their neighborhood or local art organizations, galleries, or support programs to find a similar space near you. Not only could you possibly get a chance to exhibit your work close to home, but you may very well find other artists for studio visits, critics or art historians for engaging conversation, and a really great opportunity to see art, in person, on a regular basis.

Art trade: hotel stay?

2009-08-19T09:08:00.001-07:00

Berlin is a fabulous place for artists to live, or to visit. Many of my young artist, musician, or writer friends are moving there for cheaper rent and a booming arts scene. There are lots of art museums and galleries in Berlin, as well as other great resources that make it an ideal place to visit, as well.

Now, a hotel in Berlin is offering artists who are "strapped for cash" a trade - artwork for boarding at the hotel. The five-star Hotel Marienband in Auguststrasse is inviting artists to live in a room and use it as a sort of evolving art space.

From the Telegraph:

Susanne Pfeffer, curator of the Kunst-Werke Institute of Contemporary Art, which set up the project, said: "As long as they come from outside Berlin and need a bed for the night, everyone is welcome, though we've got such a long waiting list that we are very careful about picking and choosing our guests."

keep reading

Legal resource

2009-08-11T07:52:00.001-07:00

As artists, we know that sometimes the law can either help us out, or really get in the way. Plagiarism and copyright infringements can be clear-cut when discussing literature or commercial situations, but what about fine art? After all, Shepard Fairey is in a world of trouble right now for using an AP photograph for the basis of his Obama Hope posters. While it can't take the place of a really good lawyer, I did come across a decent website with information for us. StarvingArtistsLaw.com, while the design is primitive at best, actually provides some really good information.

Art in a Box

2009-08-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

I came across this interesting program based in San Francisco. Art in a Box introduces citizens to local artists by having them subscribe to a service that delivers art to their doorsteps - much like a "wine of the month" club:

"The Compound Gallery is pleased to announce ART IN A BOX, a new art subscription service featuring Bay Area artists. Operating on the model of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or wine subscription service, Art in a Box offers amazing original works of art instead of vegetables or wine. Each month subscribers receive a new work of fine art by a different local artist. Our featured artists work in a variety of mediums (ceramic, printmaking, painting, collage, digital prints, etc.) and most of them live and work in Oakland or San Francisco.

Subscribers can indicate a preference in mediums, but not the artist or piece. All artwork is contained in an 11” x 17” x 3” box along with the artist’s bio. Subscriptions are $30/month for pick up only, and $50/month which includes shipping and a bonus piece (there is a minimum three month subscription). We currently have subscribers in all parts of the U.S.—from Oakland to Brooklyn. Art in a Box allows subscribers to receive high quality works worth much more than the subscription cost, gives local artists national exposure, and helps to support the arts and artists in the Bay Area."

Sothebys

2009-07-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

It's no surprise that with this economy we've got going on that record numbers of people are applying to head back to school. When the going gets rough, why not retreat into academia, right? Seems like a good idea to me!

I have met quite a few people over the years who have attended school at one of the auction houses...

The Sotheby's Institute has locations in London, New York, and Singapore - and offers quite a few of different options, depending on the commitment you want to make:

Master's Degrees - get an MA in Art Business, Contemporary Art, etc. in 3 semesters

Summer Study - intensive courses designed to immerse you into the world of auction houses and more

Short Courses - take one day seminars or weekly classes

3rd Ward

2009-07-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

If you live in New York, or more specifically North Brooklyn, 3rd Ward may be an excellent resource for you. With studios, classes, and more, it's a really great place to further your education and get involved in a dialogue (other than the one inside your head).

From their website:

3rd Ward is a member-based design center for creative professionals in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We are committed to providing resources, opportunities and a dynamic-creative network to our members and the community at large. Our 20,000 sq. ft. space houses four gorgeous photo studios, a professional wood & metal shop, a fully loaded digital media lab, shared & private office space and a large interdisciplinary art education program. Throughout the year we also offer exciting events and opportunities for artists.

Best cities for artists

2009-07-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

I came across a BusinessWeek article this week with a list of the top 10 U.S. cities for artists. They frame the article in terms of real estate - wherever the artists go, real estate booms follow. It has long been known that artists seek cheap rents, make a neighborhood hip, and eventually, they make it too expensive for themselves to live in. Although the article is from 2007, it seems pretty legit for today, as picks were chosen based on a strict set of guidelines and indexes - The Arts & Culture Index, Diversity Index, Cost of Living Index, and more. Although there are the obvious choices of Los Angeles, New York, and Santa Fe, a few surprises are in there.

Click here to read the article and see the top 10 U.S. cities for artists

Printed Matter

2009-07-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Located in Chelsea, NYC, Printed Matter is "the largest non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of publications made by artists." Currently run by artist AA Bronson, Printed Matter is a bookstore of sorts - artists' books (and artists' writings, etc.). No, this isn't where you want to go to get the exhibition catalogue of your favorite Monet show, but if you're looking for a small-edition artist publication or a rare artist book by artists like Liam Gillick or Seth Price, this may be the place for you.

Also, they have an open submission policy - if you're looking for a place to sell your artist book... but they won't just take anything.

Check out their "research room" to search for publications

Real artists???

2009-07-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

It seems like it's actually going to happen... rumors have been floating around for a couple of years now that a competition-based reality TV show about artists was in the works...

Bravo TV is holding auditions for their untitled show (which is the "brainchild" of Sarah Jessica Parker), looking for emerging or mid-career artists who "believe in their art and want the world to know."

I must admit that this show has me troubled - I always thought that artists were beyond the grips of the commercial TV world. However, as artists are using new media more and more, and fashion and art seem inextricably intertwined, this result seems inevitable. So, if you are willing to put yourself out there - really out there - in front of the whole world (and a different audience) - go ahead and apply... just count me out.

click here to apply on Bravo TV

Howard Singerman's Art Subjects

2009-06-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

I recently posted about graduate schools, and the lists that are associated with finding the best school for you. I was going through my stacks of books today and came across something I read a few years ago. Howard Singerman, a professor of Art History at the University of Virginia, holds both an MFA in sculpture, and a Ph.D. in Visual and Cultural Studies, so he confronts the issue of art students from many angles - artist, art historian, student, teacher. With his book, "Art Subjects: Making Artists in the American University", Singerman tries to unravel the notion of how graduate programs (MFA programs) shape and define artists, artworks, and art movements. If you are considering a graduate program, or are anyway involved in the teaching of artists - this is a critical book for you.

craigslist, etc.

2009-06-22T11:03:00.001-07:00

One of the resources that I use all of the time is Craigslist. Although it's not intended for artists, and it's not the most sophisticated artist material, it turns out to be helpful over and over again.

Most towns/regions in the US have Craigslist sites, and I'm sure most of you have used it, whether to find an apartment or sell furniture. But Craigslist can also be a great tool to find jobs, hire actors/models/assistants, and find really odd materials and services.

Also, a new site that I recently saw, called Padmapper, combines Craigslist rental/apartment listings and combines it with Google Maps. You can filter on what your specifications, then see where the actual locations are - helpful if you don't really want to get stuck with your studio far from subways, hardware stores, etc.

ArtForum

2009-06-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Widely considered to be the Bible of the art world, the publication ArtForum covers the international art scene on a monthly basis. Founded in 1962 in San Francisco, the office is now located in New York.

ArtForum employs some of the world's best art writers, who cover and review exhibitions and other art events. There are features including "top ten lists", Scene & Heard, and 500 Words.

Over the years, ArtForum has become thicker and thicker (a constant topic of discussion), with much of the magazine consisting of advertisem

ents. The ads, however, are typically for current and upcoming exhibitions, so they end up being really interesting and informational.

If you are anyone who is interested in contemporary art, you surely have heard of ArtForum, and may very well be an avid reader. While it may be impossible to read every current issue due to the volume of material, and there are certainly other excellent new and smaller publications, ArtForum remains the best source.

US News & World Report

2009-06-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Every year the US News & World report comes out with their list of the best graduate schools in the country. With the rest of the categories, they feature the best Fine Art programs, and further divide the list down into categories (i.e. Sculpture, Photography, etc.).

Now, a lot of people place a lot of importance in these types of ranking systems and hold them to be gospel. The truth of the matter is that the ranking systems for choosing these schools is based on many criteria that tend to give a general idea about the best. They send out surveys to current art professionals and professors - some of which send the surveys back. One theory is that alums or professors of the truly great schools may be too prolific or busy to answer the survey, or that some schools "strongly encourage" the surveys to be filled out.

The rankings also tend to take more value in physical considerations like studios, facilities, student:teacher ratios than other criteria that are harder to judge. For example, one school may have a great woodshop, while another is known for their stellar visiting artist program - the visiting artist program is very hard to put a numerical value on.

To give a specific example, this year's list ranks the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) as the best Sculpture M.F.A. program as 1st, Yale School of Art as 2nd, UCLA as 6th and Columbia as 9th. While it is true that VCU has incredible facilities, great shops, and a really good specific program, the overwhelming majority of the art world would consider Yale, Columbia, and UCLA to be much higher ranked. Yale sculpture is known for their rigorous critique program and conceptually theoretical philosophy, Columbia is in New York - projecting many grads into stardom, and UCLA's faculty simply is astonishing.

So as advice - use these rankings as a general idea for the best grouping of schools in the nation - but don't take too much stock in who's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The simple fact of the matter is that they don't mean much. So if you're looking for a graduate program, just make sure you are really ready to go (and not just for a piece of paper, but to be open to learning and growing as a young artist) - and look into schools that you think would fit with what you're looking for.

Book swapping

2009-06-08T11:49:00.000-07:00

As an artist, I have an overwhelming collection of books - some of them art books, some philosophy, a fair amount of fiction, collections of essays, and a sprinkling of historical biographies. I try to get more and more books at the library - waste less money, less paper, etc., but something about having the books to keep is really nice. However, my bookshelves are crowded with books that I have already read.... so here to rescue me are the "book swapping sites". There are quite a few out there, but basically the idea is that you mail and book and get a book back - for free. The sites can be a great tool for students, as well, to get textbooks.

A few sites:

Bookmooch

Treehugger

Swaptree

websites

2009-06-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Now that we all seem to live in the digital world, so many of the great art resources out there exist solely in cyberspace. I previously raved about NYFA and ubuweb, but there are many more great sites out there.

T he New York Times Art & Design section is often my go-to for reviews and interesting articles. They have the best critics and are in the vicinity of the best museums and galleries, although they tend to group all of the "arts" together.

As the Bible of the art world, ArtForum has long been a top-notch publication. As time has gone on, the magazine has gotten fatter and thicker, and is now full of many ads (although the ads are almost always for exhibitions, so they are usually beautiful and informative). Artforum's website offers a good selection of articles from the magazine, videos, a great search feature - plus the Diary /Scene and Herd section gives us snapshots from all of the fabulous art parties.

There are several websites that compile information about artists, museums, galleries, and articles, but my choice tends to be MutualArt.com. They let you add "preferences" to your profile, and make recommendations in a little gray box based on that - so you don't have to filter through all kinds of things you aren't that interested in. Also, their new advanced search option lets you narrow down specifically what kind of event you are looking for - like, for example - art fairs in Basel, Switzerland during the second two weeks of June.

Inside the Grant Process

2009-05-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Last week I posted about the online resources available over at NYFA.org. Well, they actually have a physical presence in the world, and occasionally host events. In a few weeks they will be putting on a seminar concerning grant-writing for artists. See below:

Inside the Grant Process

From Applications to the Panel

Two session seminar:
Tuesday, June 23, 6-8:30pm and Tuesday, June 30, 6-8:30pm

Grants provide much needed funding, yet the process can be overwhelming. Join us for a two part workshop on grant seeking, including an inside look at how a grant panel is run and decisions are made. Session one will focus on the nuts and bolts of finding grants and creating a strong application. Session two will walk through the panel process using real life examples from visual arts workshop participants. Come and see what matters when a panel sits down to vote.
Please note this workshop is geared towards visual artists.

Location:
New York Foundation for the Arts
20 Jay Street 7th Flr
Brooklyn, NY 11203

Price: $30- Please note this is a two session seminar. The cost covers both sessions.

Visit the site to preregister or join the waiting list if it has sold out.

NYFA

2009-05-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

One of the best online resources for artists has got to be NYFA.org (New York Foundation for the Arts). The website is a great tool for finding jobs - as all of the jobs are reviewed and filtered before being posted, so you don't have to rifle through hundreds of ridiculous postings before finding one decent one. Although it is pretty New York-centric, there are posts for all over the country, and occasionally something international.

NYFA is also a great place to look for calls for artists, residency opportunities, classes and workshops. Also, if you are looking for artist assistant, the pool of applicants you get from this site will be of really great quality. Go take a look at it and peruse the site - you'll find more than I can even talk about here.

Ubuweb.com

2009-05-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

I came across UbuWeb a few years ago, and have consistently gone back to it. Personally, I use it to check out the videos and films from major and emerging artists, but there is much more to the site, in particular, a large collection of poetry-related audio and text.

Founded in 1996 by the poet Kenneth Goldsmith, the site operates freely, with works not viable or intended for commercial use.

From their site:

UbuWeb is a completely independent resource dedicated to all strains of the avant-garde, ethnopoetics, and outsider arts.

All materials on UbuWeb are being made available for noncommercial and educational use only. All rights belong to the author(s).

UbuWeb is completely free.

Ask the Lawyer

2009-05-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

The New York Public Library is a great resource for public lecture and talks. On Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m., at the Mid-Manhattan Library(455 5th Avenue), a pretty resourceful lecture will take place:

"Ask the Lawyer - An Artist Career Development Lecture," with Elena M. Paul, ESQ. and Alexei Ormani Auld, ESQ.

This interactive panel presentation with a question-and-answer format will cover a wide array of legal and business issues with an overview of the major legal topics affecting artists and professionals within arts organizations. The topics to be addressed include:Intellectual Property (copyrights primarily), Contracts,Entity Choice and Formation including nonprofit and for profit options.

Simply the best

2009-05-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Although most of us practicing artists tend to stray away from perfect technique, there is a time and a place for doing things properly. If you are concerned with technique, archival methods, or simply interested in traditional artist materials, this is your BIBLE. It is extensive, and really amazing to just look through to get ideas about how to make your own materials. Learn how to properly mix pigments, make your own tools and paints, etc. Looking at my old copy last night, I got the urge to work on some silverpoint drawings I had abandoned years ago.

The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques
by Ralph Mayer

Best spots to shop

2009-04-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Apologies to anyone who isn't NYC-based (although they both ship)

Although I prefer to devote this space to other types of posts, there are two places here in New York that truly deserve the respect. As artists, it is sometimes difficult to find the supplies you need, as well as great service. These two stores have extremely knowledgeable staff who are more than willing to help you figure out what kind of material you need to get the job done:

New York Central Art Supply

Serving New York artists for over 100 years, New York Central is a smaller shop than some of those other giant supply stores in the city. However, they have an extremely extensive inventory of paints, drawing materials, etc. The second floor boasts the best paper selection and staff, in my opinion, in the U.S. They also seem to be the only ones in the city who understand the importance of carefully rolling the paper so that it doesn't crease or ding.
Location:

62 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10003
view on map
Store Hours:

Mon-Sat 8:30am-6:15pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact:
Store Tel: 212.473.7705 Orders: 800.950.6111 Fax: 212.475.2513

The Compleat Sculptor

For the past 14 years, the Compleat Sculptor is a great resource for anyone interested in anything remotely related to mold-making or casting. The main floor is full of plastics, silicones, and clays, as well as a very helpful staff, and the basement contains huge slabs of stone. While not always the cheapest place, it is worth the trip - you'll probably end up wasting less material if you get it right the first time.

Location:
90 Vandam (between Hudson and Greenwich)

Store Hours:
Mon/Thur/Fri/Sat - 9am - 6pm
Tues/Wed - 9am - 8pm
Closed Sunday

Contact:
Outside NY City: 800-9-SCULPT
Inside NY City: 212-243-6074
International: 0012122436074
Technical Support: 212-367-7561

Success Stories From Famous Artists

2009-04-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Grayson Perry, Turner prize winner 2003

I really love hearing stories about the artist behind the art. Where artists come from and how they gain recognition are just as important as the media they use and where they show.

I just came across a story from the London Times that tells how some leading artists started their careers. Read about how Sue Webster, Grayson Perry, Michael Landy, David Shrigley and others got their start.

Request For "creative economy" Artist Proposals

2009-04-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles based non-profit, 18th Street Art Center, aims to provoke public dialogue through contemporary art making. For the 2010 exhibition year, 18th Street Arts Center is seeking proposals from artists, teams of artists, and curators which addresses a common theme; the status of our creative economy.

About Status Report: The Creative Economy

A creative economy is characterized by the key economic factors of talent, innovation and creativity. As the notion of a creative class is widely discussed, promoted and debated, it is apparent through recent research that these factors are not distributed evenly across the economy, but instead seem concentrated in specific locations. Where people gather is critical in stimulating new sources of growth, new idea generation, and an increase in productivity.

Los Angeles is often described as one of these places. After a turbulent economic year where do we stand? Are we on the way up, on the way down, or stuck in neutral? Who are the players and mediators in a creative economy, and how is it changing? Who is included and who is excluded? How are artists responding to seismic changes in the arts and culture market, and what are the new models they are developing to support the production of their work, and the dissemination of their ideas? How should our cultural institutions, both non - profit and for profit, be responsive to the overall health of the Los Angeles creative economy?

18th Street is interested in proposals which look at new methods of research and artistic production which address issues of civic engagement and personal responsibility, local community and its diversity, demographics and equity, conflict resolution and social awareness, and the re-development of the urban environment as a holistic and spiritual enterprise.

Selected proposals will be offered:

Three month residency at 18th Street Arts Center
Fee ranging from $2500-5000 to complete the proposed project
Will be presented during our quarterly Art Nights, as either an exhibition, or a public project
We encourage and will most closely look at proposals which use our gallery and project room as a laboratory/studio for new work and ideas. Artists will be encouraged to use our site as a point of interaction, production, and inquiry.

Proposals will be accepted from individual artists as well as teams of artists, and from curators. A catalogue will be published for all of the projects.

To submit a proposal:

Please send a concise proposal of no more than three pages by June 30, 2009; it should include the project description which relates to the theme Status Report: The Creative Economy; the names and a brief bio of project participants; up to 12 images of art works or previous projects which have bearing on the proposal (jpeg format, no larger than 6" x 4", 200dpi); and a preliminary budget as to how the funds will be used, showing any additional sources of support.

Proposals should be submitted on-line to:
ccampbell (at) 18thstreet.org

or mailed to:

Clayton Campbell, Artistic Director
18th Street Arts Center
1639 18th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Artists’ Access to Healthcare - North

2009-04-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

Artists are typically self-employed or employed part-time and struggle with the rising cost of health insurance. Many times artists go without health insurance or with very basic coverage.

With many regional programs underway, help is around the corner. In Minnesota the problem has encouraged The Artist Relief Fund and the Lake Superior Community Health Center to start the Artists’ Access to Healthcare - North. This partnership between the two community based nonprofits will help provide free or low-cost healthcare to individual artists in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota and Douglas and Bayfield Counties of Wisconsin. Beginning March 25, 2009, individual artists may apply to the Artist Relief Fund for a voucher to be used at the Lake Superior Community Health Clinics located at 4325 Grand Avenue in Duluth or 3600 Tower Avenue in Superior.

“Health care is a major concern for the artists we serve. Many are self-employed and have little or no insurance,” says Erika Mock, President of the Artist Relief Fund board. “We are very excited to partner with the Lake Superior Community Health Center to provide artists with a new option for affordable healthcare. Helping artists connect to options for healthcare, especially preventative care is an important goal of the Artist Relief Fund. This program is a perfect start towards that goal, and we hope that the partnership will be able to grow to provide even more healthcare for area artists.”

Wende Nelson, Executive Director of the Lake Superior Community Health Center (LSCHC) adds, “At the LSCHC, we also believe that our country should provide affordable health care for its artists. For years our clinic has provided medical care on a sliding fee scale basis for working artists (full and part-time) who do not have health insurance, so we are very excited about this partnership with The Artist Relief Fund.”

New Jersy Paper and Printmakers Fellowship

2009-04-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

Kiki Smith, Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions

New Jersey Print and Paper Fellowships 2009
Deadline: May 20th, 2009

New Jersey artists are invited to apply for a two week residency at the Brodsky Center For Innovative Editions. The artist will work with a master printer or papermaker to produce a print or handmade paper project. Participants will receive a $500 honorarium and ½ the edition. All projects will be completed within the residency period. This competition is open to artists in any medium.

Jurors are; Latoya Frazier, Director, MGSA Galleries, Rutgers; Stephen Westfall, Artist: and John Yau, Critic and Poet.

This competition is open for New Jersey residents only. Must show proof of residence (copy of utility or phone bill with application).

Submit:
10 jpegs on a CD not exceeding 72dpi and 5x7 in either height or width. Slides are not accepted. Each image must be labeled with artist last name and image number (ie….Lastname_01.jpeg). Resume. Image list including name, title, size, and medium. Statement of why you want to work with the BCIE and the project you would like to pursue in 500 words or less. Proof of residency. SASE

Send to:
Brodsky Center, Mason Gross School of the Arts, visual Arts, 33 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Individual Artist Grants For Winston-Salem and Forsyth County

2009-04-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County is Seeking Grant Applications for 2009-2010 Funding Year

Individual artists and small unincorporated groups are invited to attend the Regional Artist Project Grant Information Session at Diggs Gallery, Winston-Salem State University

Tuesday, April 7, 2009, Noon

Applications due June 1, 2009

The grant offers support to artists in the local community and region, helping each artist further his or her career development. Individual artists and small unincorporated groups are eligible to apply.

For further details on grant categories and information sessions for Organizational Support Grant applicants at The Arts Council visit its website or contact Chris Koenig, at 336-722-2585, Ext. 121 or ckoenig@intothearts.org.

Art Resources Transfer

2009-04-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

I just came across this great organization that truly believes in preserving and promoting artist's voices. It's called Art Resources Transfer and below is more information.

Art Resources Transfer, Inc., founded by Bill Bartman in 1987, is a non-profit organization committed to documenting and supporting artists' voices and work, and to making these voices accessible to the broadest possible public by establishing innovative methods of distribution and access.

Since its founding, Art Resources Transfer has maintained two interconnected, program areas: publishing (A.R.T. Press), and the free distribution of books to underserved communities (DUC Program).

A.R.T. Press primarily publishes books based on artist to artist conversations. The conversation format permits a thorough and at the same time informal investigation of the artists’ practice and the larger social issues that inform it. By virtue of their clarity, personal focus, affordability, and innovative method of distribution, these books make possible the presentation of contemporary artists and their work to a wide readership.

The D.U.C. Program distributes books on contemporary art and culture free of charge to rural and inner-city libraries, schools and alternative reading centers nationwide. The program aims to actively further a more egalitarian access to contemporary art, and is committed to fostering partnerships between publishers, non-profit organizations, librarians and readers to enrich and diversify library collections. The D.U.C program offers well over 490 titles by 90 different publishers. The program reaches readers in all 50 states and has placed well over 200,000 free books in public libraries, schools, and alternative pedagogical venues.

Artist's Residency Program At The 18th Street Arts Center

2009-03-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

Lita Albuquerque

The 18th Street Arts Center has great exhibitions and programs that provoke public dialogue through contemporary art making.

Their residency program provides a great opportunity for artists in the Los Angeles area or foreign artists from Australia, Eastern Europe, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Eligibility for the International Visiting Artist Program is based on applications through cooperative programs with outside government agencies and private foundations.

18th Street Art Center's is similar to an arts incubator, in that they provide subsidized live and work space for artists. The services to their residents include free administrative and fundraising consultation services; an office equipment co-op and community resources exchange in which residents contribute a service or resource; volunteers; and meeting facilities. In addition, 18th Street's works to bring residents greater public recognition and paid presenting opportunities through programs and events. The combined benefits of the Residency Program helps residents put more of their financial resources and time towards their art practice while working in a stimulating and supportive environment. Since opening in 1988, the program has provided a home to 20 arts organizations and 43 individual artists.

Download the residency program application here.

Artists Studios Available In London

2009-03-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

Great Spaces available at Wellworth Studios

For locations and contact information, please visit: www.wellworthstudios.com

Spaces in:

Bow Rd,
Amhurst Terrace,
Crimscott Street.

Spaces all have natural light, parking, WIFI, secure, Ideal for creative industries.

Prices Vary.

Call for Latin-American and Caribbean Artists

2009-03-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

Call for Latin-American and Caribbean Artists

Institution: IDB Cultural Center

Institution: IDB Cultural Center

The Cultural Center of the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington DC, calls for artists of Latin-American and Caribbean descent, who now live in Canada as legal residents for at least one year; to submit a portfolio of their artwork for an exhibition that reflects the emigration of artists from that Region to Canada and their contribution to contemporary Canadian art.

The exhibit will be held at the IDB Cultural Center Art Gallery in Washington, DC, United States of America, in the Fall of 2009.

Artists interested in participating in this exhibit must submit a portfolio with the following material: a) A statement about the interests of the artist, related to his/her work. b) The artist's résumé (not longer than two pages) including all relevant information about his/ her artistic trajectory; c) Up to ten (10) images of works available for the exhibition. Works should not exceed 6 feet in any direction in the case of two-dimensional works (painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, mixed media) or 4 feet in any direction for three-dimensional works. Video art should not exceed 10 minutes in length. Installations, multimedia works or performances will not be accepted.

The portfolios must be comprehensive of the artist's work, and will not be returned. The deadline for submission of portfolios at the IDB Cultural Center is April 30, 2009.

All submissions must be mailed to Félix Ángel, IDB Cultural Center, 1300 New York Avenue, Washington, DC 20577, USA. The artist selected will be notified on May 30, 2009.

Public Art Opportunity For Washington Artists

2009-03-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Artist sought to design on-street bicycle parking

Seattle's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) seeks an artist or artist team to design on-street bicycle parking. Artist-designed bicycle parking is a product of the SDOT Art Plan. Bike racks will fill one or two motor vehicle parking spaces on the street. Each car-sized space will accommodate up to eight bikes.

The selected artist will work with SDOT staff to design, fabricate and install bicycle parking at two to four on-street locations. The new program addresses the expanding need for bicycle parking and is part of the city's Bicycle Master Plan, which aims to triple the number of people bicycling in Seattle over 10 years.

Eligibility: Professional artists living in Washington state

Budget: $30,000 for design, fabrication and installation

Deadline: 11 p.m., Monday, April 13, 2009, Pacific time

Guidelines may be found on this page.

Assistance for Immigrant Artists

2009-03-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Silja Addy

New American artists in New York or beyond can struggle with all sorts of challenges. Here is a list of organizations that can assist immigrant artists with technical assistance, professional development, and other arts related support.

Organizations for immigrants & Refugees (in NYC)
Mayor Office of Immigrant Affairs
CAMBA
International Center

State and Municipal Agencies
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

Borough Arts Councils
Queens Council on the Arts
Brooklyn Council on the Arts
Bronx Arts Council
Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Private Non-Profit Organizations
New York Foundation For The Arts
Fractured Atlas
The Field
Association of Hispanic Arts (!AHA!)
National Association of Latino Artsits
Asian American Arts Alliance

Legal Help & Information
Volunteer Lawyers For The Arts
Law Help
Starving Artists Law
Artists From Abroad

Call For Print Artists

2009-03-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

The Northern Print Biennale in the U.K. has issued a call for entries to its 2009 edition, to be held June 26-Oct. 4, 2009. Held as part of a culture festival across the Newcastle-Gateshead region, the biennale is open to British or international artists whose work relates to printmaking in any way. Fifty winners of the Biennale’s "2009 Print Awards" (sponsored by Bonhams) are to be featured in an exhibition spread between Hatton Gallery, Laing Art Gallery and Northern Print, while one grand prize winner takes £5,000.

Exhibitions of the selected works will be from June to October 2009.

The deadline for applications is Friday 24 April 2009.

Entries can be submitted online, or can also be submitted
by post to Parker Harris, PO Box 279, Esher, Surrey KT10 8YZ
or in person on Friday 24 April 2009 11am – 5pm

Entries
Northern Print
Stepney Bank
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2NP
or by email (please contact Parker Harris in advance)

Entry Fee: £20.00 / €30.00 per artist! Up to 10 images per artist

Artists looking for studio space

2009-03-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Artist Stephanie Diamond has put together an online listing service for posting and finding studio space. The list is updated weekly and is a great resource.

To be listed:
Send Stephanie an email at listings@stephaniediamond.com with the exact info you would like posted. Please include a header, a description of what you are offering or looking for, and your contact info.

To be added to this list:
http://www.stephaniediamond.com and click on the "Listings Project" button on home page.

The Sculpture Center - Call for artists

2009-03-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Sculpture Center, Cleveland

The CALL FOR ARTISTS for After the Pedestal, the 5th Annual of Smaller Sculpture from the Region is now open with an entry deadline of Monday, April 6.

The deadline is Monday, April 6, 2009 by 5 PM for hard copy or midnight, for online entry.  The Application Form and a $30 fee (check, cash, or money order) must be mailed in hard copy to The Sculpture Center and received no later than Friday, April 10. Artists will be notified in late April.

Exhibition dates are June 5 – July 25, 2009

The juror is Paola Morsiani, Curator of Contemporary Art at The Cleveland Museum of Art. From 1999-2007, she was Senior Curator at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Texas, and she has worked in curatorial departments in American museums since 1994—at The Drawing Center and the Queens Museum in New York and the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA. She has independently curated shows in Italy, for PS122 Gallery, New York, and for Art & Idea, Mexico City, among other institutions. Morsiani’s most recently curated CAM Houston exhibitions, which received international critical acclaim, were Wishing for Synchronicity: Works by Pipilotti Rist (2006), Andrea Zittel: Critical Space (2005, co-organized with the New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York), and Fade In: New Film and Video (2004). She has also curated several Perspectives series exhibitions.

Eligibility - All artists from Ohio, its contiguous states (Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania) and Ontario, Canada, working in all media of sculpture, including installation, conceptual work, and performance video if object based, are eligible.

 The artwork may be envisioned for indoor or outdoor display, but will be displayed indoors. The artwork should be conceived on a smaller scale appropriate for 850-1000 sq. ft. galleries, created within the last 3 years, and not previously exhibited in Northeast Ohio. Artists may submit up to 3 artworks for consideration. Artists are responsible for shipping. The Sculpture Center will insure the artwork while on its premises.

Applications must include high resolution jpeg images of up to 3 artwork and details, up to 9 images total (image size: approx. 8 x 10 inches @ 300 dpi). Image list of title, date, medium, and size (h x w x d) clearly keyed to images. Artist’s resume with all contact information . Artist’s statement . If application is made in hard copy, all information should be on a CD or DVD.

The After the Pedestal Application Form must be printed, completed off line, and mailed to The Sculpture Center. The rest of the application can be made online by clicking the link below.
Click here to apply online.

If you have questions, call or email Ann Albano, Executive Director, at 216.229.6527 or aalbano@sculpturecenter.org.

LMCC Residency and Programs

2009-03-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

Marc Robinson, Myth Monolith (Liberation Movement), 2007

I have mentioned the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) in a past post and now have more information about them. They are currently accepting applications for their residency programs and are hosting a series of informative sessions for artists. See below for more information.

Open Call for Applications: Workspace 2009-2010
Studio Residencies for Emerging Visual Artists and Writers
Deadline: Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 5PM

Workspace is a studio residency program for emerging visual artists and writers focused on the creative process. Residents receive free studio space in Lower Manhattan for nine months, a modest one-time stipend (depending on available funds), access to a community of peers, meetings and studio visits with arts and literary professionals, and exposure to new audiences through open studios and other public programs. There is one application deadline per year.

More information about Workspace, including complete Application Guidelines, is available here.

Info Sessions (Suggested, but not required)

Attend an Info Session where past residents and LMCC staff will review the application guidelines and answer questions about the residency and the selection process.

RSVP is required and space is limited.

Thursday, March 19, 4PM at 77 Water Street, 10th Floor

---

TNT: Training, Networking and Talks
Work Sample Dos and Don’ts
Led by Liza Green, Grants and Services, LMCC

In order to access funding, residencies and other professional opportunities, artists are often required to submit work samples for consideration. Who reviews work samples? How are they reviewed? How important is formatting? Cue points? Context? Our interactive workshop will cover these issues and provide a series of examples that will allow participants to judge for themselves whether a work sample is compelling and why.

Artists from all disciplines are welcome.

Workshop is free, but space is extremely limited.
RSVP is required.

Registrants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will be notified by email of their acceptance.

Tuesday, March 10, 6:30PM at Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor

Opportunity For South Florida Artists

2009-02-25T07:28:00.000-08:00

On Feb. 1, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation launched the second round of the Knight Arts Challenge, a community-wide contest to fund the best art ideas in South Florida. The deadline for applications is 9 a.m. March 2. The Challenge, part of a five-year, $40 million initiative, aims to help transform South Florida by bringing the community together through the arts. Last year, Knight Foundation awarded $8 million to 31 groups – such as sculptors, musicians, prominent institutions and recently formed galleries.

The Knight Foundation is seeking ideas and innovation in the arts from nonprofits, companies and individuals. There are three simple rules:

The idea is about arts.
The project takes place in or benefits South Florida.
You find other funding to match the Knight Foundation grant.

NEXUS call for artists

2009-02-23T14:20:00.000-08:00

NEXUS is seeking experimental artists in ALL disciplines including but not limited to painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, installation, video, performance, electronics, digital media, audio, dance or curatorial practices to apply as members of our co-operative. NEXUS values artist members who are dynamic, willing to take risks, dedicated to their work and enjoy being part of a community of artists. NEXUS members are given the opportunity to exhibit their work once every two years in solo exhibitions, participate in group exhibitions and curate large scale exhibitions. Our next review is March 15, 2009. Applications are due Sunday March 8, 11:59 PM

Click here for more information.

NEXUS is a registered non-profit organization based in Philadelphia.

The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation

2009-02-17T12:54:00.000-08:00

I’ve listed a few residency programs on this blog because I truly believe that residency programs are very rewarding for artists. They give artists the time and space to create new work and sometimes with funding, the costs are near to nothing. And, the other artists and visitors provide a built in interested audience.

The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation is another example of an excellent resource and residency program. Established in 1984, The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation provides high quality studio space and related resources for visual artists. The Space Program provides non-living studio spaces in Brooklyn, New York, where artists may concentrate and create new work.

Marie Walsh Sharpe, a Colorado Springs, CO philanthropist, created the Foundation before her death in 1985 to benefit visual artists. The Foundation’s Artists Advisory Committee: Cynthia Carlson, Chuck Close - emeritus, Janet Fish, Philip Pearlstein, Irving Sandler, Harriet Shorr, and Robert Storr initiated and developed The Space Program in 1991 as a service to artists. In 2006 Phong Bui, Matthew Deleget and Tara Donovan were added to the Artists Advisory Committee.

Exit Art - Call For Proposals

2009-02-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Exit Art is one of New York's most innovative and progressive non-profit institutions. It was founded in 1982 by Jeanette Ingberman and Papo Colo and is internationally recognized as a pioneering institute for the 21st century.

Exit Art consistently presents exhibitions that are historically relevant, political and radical. Now located in Hell's Kitchen, their exhibition space is very large and accomodates work in all media. Their shows helped bring attention for the first time to now firmly established artists such as; Jimmie Durham, Ursula von Rydingsvard, Shirin Neshat, Fred Tomaselli, Nicole Eisenman, Roxy Paine, Julie Mehretu, Sue DeBeer, Rirkrit Tiravanija, David Wojnarowicz, and David Hammons.

Exit Art curates many of their shows based on an open call for proposals. This is a great way for emerging artists to propose something and possibly be part of a group or solo show. The current call for proposals can be found here.

Strategic Opportunity Stipends (SOS)

2009-02-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Klara Hobza, NYFA Fellow in Cross-Disciplinary / Performative Work, 2007

Strategic Opportunity Stipends (SOS) can benefit visual, performing, literary and other artists with support ranging from $100 to $600 for specific forthcoming projects. SOS is a project of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), working in collaboration with arts councils and cultural organizations across New York State. This program is designed to help individual artists of all disciplines take advantage of unique opportunities that will significantly benefit their work or career development.

New York Artists - El Taller Boricua Call for Submissions

2009-02-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

El Taller Boricua Call for Submissions

El Taller Boricua is reviewing submissions from New York contemporary artists for upcoming exhibitions in 2009/2010.

Deadline is February 25, 2009.

Artists, please send a link to your website to tallerboricua@yahoo.com. If you do not have a website or if the website lacks informative materials please send them a: CD or DVD (formatted for Macintosh system) containing: 10 examples of work in jpeg format, brief bio, resume, artist statement, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (if you would like CD/DVD/samples to be returned to you).

The above materials may be mailed to:
Taller Boricua at the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center
Attn: C. Licata / T. Bradley RM 208
1680 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029

Send any questions or final submissions to tallerboricua@yahoo.com
Note: please do not send attachments larger than 1 MB total. They will not be delivered. Also, no calls, please.

Workspace at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

2009-02-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

Work by Workspace resident Mary Mattingly; photo by Paul Porter

Founded by David Rockefeller and other business and civic leaders in 1973, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) has been the leading arts presenter, advocate, and service provider to artists and arts groups throughout Lower Manhattan. LMCC was housed in the World Trader Center until 9/11 and is now still located in the Financial District in lower Manhattan.

LMCC is Manhattan’s largest arts council and provides artists with instrumental resources and support. One of their most popular programs is the Workspace studio residency program for emerging visual artists and writers. The application for this program is now out and the deadline is Thursday, April 9, 2009, 5PM.

Check it out and apply for 9-months of free studio space and a modest stipend. Workspace also provides great networking opportunities and open studio events.

Artist's Residency Program - (ISCP)

2009-02-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

The International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP) is a dynamic residency program for international artists and curators. Now based in Brooklyn, the program provides the necessary studio space and important professional network for those accepted into the program.

The program features a series of Guest Critic visits and semi-annual Open Weekend exhibitions. The Guest Critic series provide the context for open dialog and feedback from important curators, art dealers, critics and other art professionals. The Open Weekend Exhibitions attract not only professionals, but a wider audience of art enthusiasts. In addition, a continual flow of international art traffic passes through the program, making impromptu studio visits and meeting with the artists and curators.

Visual artists are sponsored for periods of three to twelve months by governments, corporations, foundations, galleries or private patrons. Artists are provided with 24-hour access private studios, which range from 300 to 400 square feet.

The instructions to apply may be found here.

The Artists Foundation

2009-01-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

The Artists Foundation was founded in Boston in 1973. It primarily works with artists in the Greater Boston area and nearby cities.

"The mission of the Artists Foundation: is to nourish excellence in the arts by enhancing the public role and economic position of artists; to build community among practicing artists and new communication between this vital community and the public; to support access to essential resources for artists in all disciplines, particularly low income and under served artists' access to health care and other social services; and to sponsor exhibitions of art for art's sake as well as innovative uses of art to promote public consideration of issues vital to diverse social, political, and economic groups."

The Foundation does a great job in creating the opportunity for artists to network with other artists in the art community, the general public, as well as private businesses. It strongly supports artists through resources that provide information on health care, job searches, tips for being in the arts and funding opportunities.

Creative Time

2009-01-26T12:50:00.000-08:00

David Byrne's installation

Founded in 1974, Creative Time is dedicated to commissioning, producing and presenting progressive public artworks in all media. Based in NY, Creative Time is one of the premiere institutions for producing public art.

Creative Time learns about artists' projects through the following:

1. Through a monthly Open Door program, Creative Time invites artists to apply for an opportunity to share their project ideas in-person. They provide confidential feedback, advice, and guidance.

2. Artists who are not New York City-based, but wish to share projects, may send their proposals to the programming team for review.

3. With Requests For Proposals (RFPs), Creative Time invites artists to submit projects responding to a specific opportunity. These opportunities are announced on our website as they become available.

4. Creative Time also directly approaches artists to cultivate ideas for projects, which are then developed over a period of weeks or years, depending on the needs of the individual project.

Artangel

2009-01-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

I am an art professor and am putting together a list of essential resources for visual and performing artists. Whether you are in school or working as an artist you may find this blog helpful.

Let's start with Artangel.

Artangel is based in London and give grants to artists for production of new work. Since the early 1990s, Artangel has been collaborating with artists and engaging the public with a series of successful commissions. This non-profit is committed to the production of new ideas by outstanding artists.

Artangel works with filmmakers, writers, visual artists, composers, choreographers and performers who can respond to the unique opportunity an Artangel project
can offer.

“Some of the most ambitious and memorable
work of the last decade…”
Time Out