We just added a page called the Working Artist’s Toolkit. It’s an assembly of links to all of the online resources MCC has to offer artists, as well as a collection of some of the posts on ArtSake dealing with specific art-related issues. So, check it out, use what’s useful, and get to work.
Oftentimes, artists contact us (MCC) looking for funding and career opportunities in Massachusetts. Obviously, we point them toward our own programs – and now we’ll point them toward the Working Artist’s Toolkit – but where else? Well, MCC collaborates with, is a neighbor to, and/or is a big fan of a number of organizations that offer some great resources for artists, online or otherwise. So we often refer artists to the very places we’re listing below, all of which advance the work and careers of artists, usually serving all or multiple creative disciplines.
(For the purposes of this post, we’ll focus on general — rather than discipline-specific — organizations focused on artists.)
One of the best ways to find organizations and opportunities in your region is by perusing the listing of projects funded by MCC’s Adams Art Program. The projects funded by Adams grow the creative economy, often by advancing the careers and entrepreneurial acumen of artists. The funding list is divided by region, so it’s a quick way to find useful projects and resources in your area.
ARTmorpheus is a Boston-based, artist-driven group providing career growth opportunities for artists. The organization runs workshops for artists, with topics including financial management, arts marketing, and branding. The best way to stay abreast of the org’s offerings is to go to the web site and sign up for the email announcements, which list upcoming opportunities.
Arts and Business Council Greater Boston is a local chapter of Americans for the Arts that strengthens the arts community through legal, business, and educational services, such as Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (in which lawyers volunteer their time to help artists with legal issues) and Artists’ Professional Toolbox (a nine-month career development course for artists).
artSource is an index of artist resources from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, that includes employment opportunities, grant and residency listings, calls to artists, and more.
Assets for Artists, administered by the super-duper MASS MoCA with a host of snazzy partnering and sponsoring orgs (including us), offers a range of services to advance artists entrepreneurially and financially, including home ownership assistance.
Berkshire Creative is an organization advancing the Berkshires creative economy, with strong support for artists. The organization has numerous seminars and opportunities for artists – mainly in the Berkshire region.
Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition is an artist-run organization looking out for the interests of individual artists, with an emphasis on public policy. MALC hosts Artists Under the Dome, an annual event for artists at the Massachusetts State House (next taking place November 17, 2011), so artists can communicate directly with legislators as well as learn more about their government, communities, and local issues for artists.
Mira’s List is a great blog sharing funding, residency, and other terrific information for artists. Sign up for the RSS feed and get a periodic helping of opportunities.
New England Foundation for the Arts is the regional arts agency with numerous programs for artists, such as support for public art and programs for Native American artists.
Transcultural Exchange is an organization exploring international residency opportunities for artists, most notably through an impressive biennial conference.
VSA Arts of Massachusetts offers services, programs, and support in the area of arts and disability.
What web sites and orgs do you find useful as an artist? Leave a comment and share the link.
Image: Sue Aygarn-Kowalski, HAMMER (2009), photo by Dean Powell.
Leave a Reply