A4A Blog
We're thrilled to partner with the City of Boston for a second year of artist support programming.
It's about strengthening your career as an artist by growing your business know-how and financial capacity. Artists selected for our 2019 matched savings grant program will receive:
A “matched savings” grant that provides working capital to help grow the artist’s creative practice. Participants are provided with grants of $1,000 or $2,000 to match a corresponding amount of savings, and the combined amount is used by the artist toward implementing a plan to strengthen their Connecticut-based creative practice.
Free professional development services, including artist-tailored workshops on financial and business planning. These classes will be offered in various Connecticut locations in spring/summer 2019.
Free one-on-one coaching in the development of the artist’s business plan.
This application is for artists in ALL creative disciplines, and ALL financial circumstances, based ANYWHERE in Connecticut.
Because a large proportion of our funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Program, artists in rural communities will be given preference, but grants will also be awarded to non-rural artists.
If you’re an artist/maker motivated to improve your financial & business management skills and to make investments aimed at growing your creative practice, we’d love to hear from you.
CLICK HERE to read testimonials from, and in-depth profiles of, some of the artists who completed the Matched Savings Program in 2016.
2016 CT A4A alum Judith Kruger
Not located in Connecticut? Please check back again soon or add yourself to our email list for updates and future programming opportunities in your area.
Our work in Connecticut is possible because of our wonderful funders & partners, including MASS MoCA, ArtBuilt, Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, Windham Arts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Development Grant Program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Assets for Independence Program (in partnership with the Midas Collaborative), and the State of CT’s Office of the Arts.
Date: Friday, November 30th
When: 4:00 - 6:30 PM
Where: Building 13, 2nd Floor on MASS MoCA’s Campus
Danielle Klebes at work
There may be snow on the ground but our new crew of Massachusetts-based artists is heating things up in the Studios this month. Come catch a glimpse of a whole range of creative work at Open Studios Friday, November 30th. There will be painting, drawing, hip-hop, documentary film and so many crystals!
Andrew Mroczek & Juan Jose Barboza-Gubo
Caleb Cole
Jessica Hankey
Danielle Klebes
Isabella Mellado
Azita Moradkhani
Cliff Notez
Chen Peng
Directions to the Studios:
When you park in the main visitor lot at MASS MoCA, Building 13 is right in front of you. You’ll see Ferrin Contemporary and CYNTHIA-REEVES galleries on the first floor. Enter through the side door (on the end of the building farthest from Rt. 2) and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
Open Studios is starting early this month so that we can move from North Adams to Williamstown to catch “When the Sidewalk Ends?”, a hip hop performance featuring our very own artist resident, Cliff Notez.
November 30th at 7:00 pm
Memorial Theater, ’62 Center
It's about strengthening your career as an artist by growing your business know-how and financial capacity. Artists selected for our 2019 matched savings program will receive:
A “matched savings” grant that provides working capital to help grow the artist’s creative practice. Participants are provided with grants of $1,000 or $2,000 to match a corresponding amount of savings, and the combined amount is used by the artist toward implementing a plan to strengthen their Rhode Island-based creative practice.
Free professional development services, including artist-tailored workshops on financial management and business planning. These classes will be offered in various Rhode Island locations in spring/summer 2019.
Free one-on-one coaching in the development of the artist’s business plan.
This application is for artists in ALL creative disciplines, and ALL financial circumstances, based ANYWHERE in Rhode Island.
Because a large proportion of our funding comes from the USDA, artists in rural communities will be given preference, but grants will also be awarded to non-rural artists.
If you’re an artist/maker motivated to improve your financial & business management skills and to make investments aimed at growing your creative practice, we’d love to hear from you.
Not located in Rhode Island? Please check back again soon or add yourself to our email list for updates and future programming opportunities in your area.
Our work in Rhode Island is possible because of our wonderful funders & partners.
Date: Saturday, October 27th
When: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Building 13, 2nd Floor on MASS MoCA’s Campus
work by Jonathan Herrera
There's a fantastic new group of artists at the Studios this month and they're excited to meet our community and share what they've been working on! Join our next Open Studios on Saturday, Oct 27 to show them a warm welcome and see what they've been up to.
Bring your friends or connect with some new ones! Our Open Studio events are always free, and the beer, wine and snacks are on the house.
Carrie Crane
Jonathan Herrera
Elizabeth Lide
Chen Wang
Andre Szabo
Wen Liu
Ann Haeyoung
Jennifer McCandless
Directions to the Studios:
When you park in the main visitor lot at MASS MoCA, Building 13 is right in front of you. You’ll see Ferrin Contemporary and CYNTHIA-REEVES galleries on the first floor. Enter through the side door (on the end of the building farthest from Rt. 2) and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
One application, all of MA.
This year, artists based ANYWHERE in Massachusetts are eligible to apply with one application.
Massachusetts-based artists selected for our 2018 matched savings program will receive:
A “matched savings” grant that provides working capital help grow the artist’s creative practice. Participants are provided with grants of $1,000 or $2,000 to match a corresponding amount of savings, and the combined amount is used by the artist toward implementing a plan to strengthen their creative practice.
Free professional development services, including artist-tailored workshops on financial management and business/career planning.
Free one-on-one coaching in the development of the artist’s business plan.
If you’re an artist/maker motivated to improve your financial & business management skills and to make investments aimed at growing your creative practice, we’d love to hear from you.
Our free workshops are geared to help artists strengthen their professional practices. This fall/winter, we’re offering six expert-led workshops to help artists in all disciplines. You may apply to participate in as many workshops as you think would be a good fit for you!
Find Your Message: Branding & Marketing for Visual Artists
November 13, 1-6pm | Easthampton, MA
Jessica Burko is a Boston-based exhibiting artist, curator, and arts marketing professional. In this workshop, Jessica will help visual artists and craftspeople gain a better understanding of how to present their work, how to identify their target audience, and how to create a detailed marketing plan while building the confidence to implement it.
On the day following the group workshop, selected artists will be invited to meet individually (for 30 minutes) with Jessica for an in-depth discussion of specific marketing questions and concerns, and to review their arts marketing strategies.
Business Thinking for Performing Artists
November 19, 10am - 5pm | North Adams, MA
Amy Smith, Co-Director of Headlong Dance Theater and Headlong Performance Institute in Philadelphia, has worked internationally as a choreographer, director and performer. In this interactive workshop, performing artists in all fields — music, dance, theater, comedy, and more — will set goals and learn skills they can implement right away. Topics include valuing your time and other issues related to self-employment, long term financial thinking, “real cost” budgeting for projects and for your life, fundraising and other revenue streams, and goal setting for the business of your artistic practice.
Taxes for Artists
November 20, 10am - 12pm | North Adams, MA
Amy Smith is a licensed tax preparer working exclusively with artists, and also an acclaimed choreographer, director, and performer. In this workshop, Amy will give an overview of tax preparation for artists, including how not to pay too much in taxes by deducting all business expenses. There will also be information about the effects of the new tax law.
Understanding Your Visual Art Practice as a Business
Choice of dates:
November 26, 1-6pm | North Adams
December 1, 1-6pm | Waltham
Kim Faler is an installation artist who has been awarded Rauschenberg and Artpace residencies and has exhibited at MASS MoCA. In this workshop, participants will create a framework for understanding their practice as a business and a strategic plan for advancing their goals. Participants will receive guidance on improving their artist statements, portfolios, websites, budgeting, time management, and fundraising. Recommended for fine / non-commercial visual artists.
Fundraising for Individual Artists
November 28, 6-9pm | Boston, MA
Candelaria Silva knows the funding world deeply, both from the applicant and grantor perspectives. This workshop is designed to help artists create a funding base by addressing how to cultivate foundation, business, and individual support; successful grant-writing tips; how networking helps with fundraising; and when/how to use fiscal agents.
Not located in Massachusetts? Please check back again soon or join our email list for updates and future programming opportunities for which you may be eligible, including the Studios at MASS MoCA residency program.
Our work in Massachusetts is possible because of our wonderful funders & partners, specifically the Barr Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, Surdna Foundation, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Assets for Independence (AFI) program.
Date: Thursday, September 27th
When: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Building 13, 2nd Floor on MASS MoCA’s Campus
Work featured by Shuyi Cao
We are kicking off the fall season with an Open Studios! Our current artists will have their studio doors open and new work to share as part of an array of art happenings throughout Building 13 for the Fall Open House.
Open Studio events are always free, and the beer, wine and snacks are on the house. Make sure to also head downtown to check out DownStreet Art, a local event on Main Street that celebrates community and culture.
Jennifer Banks
Shuyi Cao
Antonietta Grassi
Sareh Imani
Antonia Kuo
Christie Neptune
Yumiko Ono
Claire Watson
Directions to the Studios:
When you park in the main visitor lot at MASS MoCA, Building 13 is right in front of you. You’ll see Ferrin Contemporary and CYNTHIA-REEVES galleries on the first floor. Enter through the side door (on the end of the building farthest from Rt. 2) and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
Last Thursday, MASS MoCA's Club B10 buzzed with activity as creative people of all stripes filtered in from various corners of the northern Berkshires. A total of 115 artists gathered to share their current projects, discuss what our creative community needs to continue growing and thriving, and to simply make time to meet each other.
As artists stood up and introduced themselves, it confirmed what we all know: that the region has been attracting amazing artists for 20+ years. Some artists shared stories of growing up in town, while others expressed their reasons for relocating in recent years. The event served as a much-needed opportunity for these varied groups to begin to share ideas and resources.
The planning committee consisted of staff from MASS MoCA's Assets for Artists Program, Common Folk Artist Collective, MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, and other members of the local creative community, bringing together a range of dedicated arts organizers to work towards the collective goal of building a stronger artist community.
Through low-pressure networking in small groups, artists had the opportunity to share more about why they choose to live in the area and what they're seeking in an arts community. More in-depth conversations emerged about people's current projects and creative undertakings, allowing participants to find commonalities within the group and make connections with those craving or creating similar projects and opportunities.
The evening culminated with a chance for everyone to post their needs as individual artists, along with ideas of what they can offer to the creative community. These needs / offerings were organized into four categories: Skills & Services; Equipment, Space & Supplies; Collaborations, Community & Audience; and a Wild Card category. The results will be compiled and shared amidst this new creative network. It's up to members of the community to take the next steps and reach out to build & expand on new connections.
All told, the event was a great success -- and hopefully this is just the beginning!
Date: Thursday, August 23rd
When: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Building 13, 2nd Floor on MASS MoCA’s Campus
Directions to the Studios:
When you park in the main visitor lot at MASS MoCA, Building 13 is right in front of you. You’ll see Ferrin Contemporary and CYNTHIA-REEVES galleries on the first floor. Enter through the side door (on the end of the building farthest from Rt. 2) and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
Date: Thursday, July 19th
When: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Building 13, 2nd Floor on MASS MoCA’s Campus
Images courtesy of Eman Alshawaf
Autumn Ahn
Eman Alshawaf
Johannes James Barfield
Jaime Bird
Leah Dixon
Jack Hogan
Elizabeth Kadetsky
Soojin Kim
Firoz Mahmud
Rachel Porter
Directions to the Studios:
When you park in the main visitor lot at MASS MoCA, Building 13 is right in front of you. You’ll see Ferrin Contemporary and CYNTHIA-REEVES galleries on the first floor. Enter through the side door (on the end of the building farthest from Rt. 2) and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
