Art has long been heralded as good business. But now is the time to show how art also contributes to the building blocks of a thriving community.

PUBLIC VENUES PROMOTE INNOVATION AND IMPACT

The most successful public spaces have an energy that permeates the entire visitor experience, creating a heartbeat, a soul, that delights guests and invites them into a brand story. This energy is an essential component of placemaking, and it is one that is no longer optional.

As Walter Isenberg, CEO of Sage Hospitality Group says, “Placemaking is significant because the customer demands it. They want to go somewhere interesting, and they’re interested in experiences.”

A prime example of how experience and impact can work together in harmony is the community art space Union Hall. As a multipurpose arts and cultural venue located in Denver’s historic Union Station neighborhood, the nonprofit serves as a “cultural concierge” for the community. Union Hall features experimental exhibitions across a wide array of mediums and focuses. In addition, the space prioritizes partnering with other arts and cultural organizations throughout the larger Denver metro area. A weekly newsletter and social media outreach inform residents of unique, one-of-a-kind art events in and around the area, many of which showcase emerging and underrepresented local creatives.

Union Hall works to create a sense of place, engaging civil society and driving economic development. Ultimately, the venue understands that creative connection is vital to strengthening the local economy.

COMMUNITY ART SPACES SUPPORT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

Art is often a visual narrative. But the way in which that story is told and the individual who brings it to life, are as important as the story itself. That’s why it’s essential to consciously curate art with diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in mind.

Over 80% of people surveyed believe it’s good business to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion as part of art projects. Beyond being a smart business decision, investing in art can help demonstrate your values and build connections. Nearly 70% of stakeholders surveyed by NINE dot ARTS strongly agree that art’s goal is to build social and cultural capital. However, commercial partners that NINE dot ARTS surveyed reported that in their recent projects, only:

• 50% used a female artist
• 35% used a Black or Hispanic artist
• 15% used an artist from the LGBTQIA+ community

Thoughtfully cultivating diversity must be at the forefront of community art space planning. “Art and social impact and community engagement are huge,” says Sarah McGarry, principal at Stantec. “This is where our clients can tell a story that is supportive of different cultures and make a message of it.”

The Clayton Club puts this notion into action. Founded on the pillars of opportunity, equity and inclusivity, the club’s collection includes more than 235 paintings, photographs, sculptures, murals, and installations. Works commissioned for the Clayton Club are guaranteed fair and proper compensation. In addition, select artists can join the Clayton Community through contributions of art, programming or events in lieu of membership fees, all while keeping 100% of the profit of their displayed work.

This type of model allows underrepresented and emerging artists to showcase their talents and share their perspectives with visitors, volunteers, members and more.

MIXED-USE COMMUNITY SPACES FOSTER COLLABORATION

Collaboration is key to fostering new ideas. For organizations that want to foster co-working or community interaction, creativity should be a central component. Collaboration begins with shared goals for the space and the art itself. Meaningful, successful art experiences only happen when all stakeholders, decision makers and experts work in tandem toward a shared purpose.

According to Chad McWhinney, CEO and co-founder of real estate development leader McWhinney, “The best projects come from harnessing the collective wisdom of a talented team of people, all growing in the direction of a common vision.”

At Union Hall, for instance, a purposeful partnership led to a dynamic arts space supporting a wide variety of events and mediums, each requiring their own collaborations. The space itself is funded through a first-of-its-kind funding strategy – developed in partnership with other commercial businesses -which utilizes a transfer fee from the area condominium sales to support the flexible arts venue.

The Clayton Club’s goal of inspiring and enticing the entrepreneurial minds of its members was made a reality thanks to a partnership with an artwork loan program and arts education nonprofit. The collaboration has created a central meeting place for both creatives and business professionals.

Collaboration can also expand on brand values and foster community involvement with local creatives. In fact, over 95% of people surveyed say including local art is an effective way to support the community while garnering goodwill toward a project.

When the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation prepared to relocate, a central focus was on how to connect their brand and mission to the vibrant arts community in their new location. The end result was a variety of programming, exhibitions and collections that featured local artists and uplifted the rich history of the area. Bonfils-Stanton also took it one step farther by providing dual-language pamphlets on their art collection, expanding access for Spanish speakers.

HOW TO BEGIN CULTIVATING COMMUNITY IN YOUR PUBLIC SPACE

To begin the process of utilizing art to create community impact, remember your brand. Ultimately, who you are and what you stand for will help shape your creative vision and corresponding collection.

From there, ask yourself:

• What value does my brand bring to the table?
• How does my brand exist in relation to the local community?
• How can this art experience engage the local community and tell a compelling story?

Such questions can help guide your integration of art and culture into your space and create that “heartbeat” that will make it stand out. Authentic buy-in from locals will not only increase the value of the space but also establish memories and facilitate belonging. Including work by local artists can boost their business, fuel their passion, and share unique perspectives that spark new ideas.

Essentially, this is the definition of art with intention – art that is brand-focused, locally driven, and thoughtfully curated. Taking it one step further, art with intention is rooted in a vision and gives your business an opportunity to tell a cohesive, visual story in an increasingly competitive market.

About the Author: Martha Weidmann, CEO and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS

As a formally trained artist, self-taught business woman, and lifelong entrepreneur, NINE dot ARTS CEO Martha Weidmann aims to be a mentor and champion for aspiring artists and business leaders alike. Martha and Co-founder Molly Casey formed NINE dot ARTS in 2009 with the vision of building a forward-thinking art consulting company that both curates incredible art experiences and advocates for art and artists. Since then, the firm has completed over 900 projects in real estate development across 35 states and five countries, generating $40 million in revenue for the creative economy. Currently, their artist app, Dotfolio, features over 10,000 artists from around the world.

About NINE dot ARTS

NINE dot ARTS is a nationally recognized, award-winning art consulting and curating firm with over 900 projects in real estate development across 35 states and 5 countries, generating $40 million in revenue for the creative economy. From hotels, multifamily residential properties, and offices to large-scale, mixed use developments and interactive public art installations, NINE dot ARTS transforms ordinary places into one-of-a-kind experiences. For additional information, visit NINEdotARTS.com.

The post Giving Back and Leaning In: The Fundamentals of Community Art Spaces appeared first on Art Business News.

Since 1971, we’ve welcomed 52 Grammy winners to perform in our small town—including Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carole King, and Brandi Carlile.  We’ve featured 800 artists, 91 of whom were Guggenheim Fellows and 11 whom were MacArthur Genius Award winners.

What SVMoA is most proud of is its commitment to arts education: we’ve given more than $1 million in arts scholarships to 638 local students and 75 teachers.

As the only American Alliance of Museums accredited museum within a hundred-mile radius (and one of 5 institutions in Idaho), SVMoA has a responsibility to reach as broad of an audience as possible—from retirees to teachers, to young entrepreneurs, to the seasonal work force, to immigrant families to students.

More than 24% of Blaine County’s population has roots primarily in Mexico and Peru. The valley’s Spanish-speaking population is a significant part of the local labor, school and church populations, but few local organizations provide Spanish-language or bilingual cultural events.

“While SVMoA has a longstanding presence in all of the valley’s schools, a goal for the coming years is to develop programs that serve a broader swath of the adult community, including the Spanish-speaking community,” said SVMoA Artistic Director Kristin Poole. “We’re committed to serving the whole of our community while nurturing ways to better see and understand one another and our shared experience.”

Intent on building projects with the community rather than for them, SVMoA staff have been working with a small group of leaders in the Latinx community. Together they have developed a year-long multi-disciplinary project on Día de los Muertos to bring people together in shared celebration of traditions.

“The project will engage Spanish and English-speaking audiences in making, learning about, and celebrating this important and diverse holiday while cultivating an understanding of its meaning and nurturing respect for traditions that are familiar to some and new to others,” continued Poole. “Because our audience looks to SVMoA to provide meaningful context around the ideas we are examining, we’ll bring scholars and authors to the valley who can elucidate the how, why, and history behind these traditions. We’re so excited to see these projects and partnerships come to life over the next 10 years.”

During celebrations of the Mexican holiday El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a reunion that includes food, drink, prayer, and parades. As part of the festivities, families and communities come together to create altars or ofrendas to honor the deceased. Traditional ofrendas are rich with symbolism and often include photographs, candles, food items favored by the deceased, and personal mementos.  They are both an offering and a place of gathering.

SVMoA’s Día de los Muertos project will take place over the course of one year starting with an event on October 30, 2021. SVMoA will invite organizations and individuals to create altars honoring a specific individual of their choosing or a well-known Mexican artist. An expanded multi-day celebration in October 2022 will feature the creation of six public altars, including one by a commissioned artist.  Both events will welcome the whole community and include food and music.  Lectures by Mexican scholars and authors will lead up to the 2022 celebration, including internationally celebrated author Sandra Cisneros.

“As we celebrate our 50^th year it has been a great honor to look back and find those touchstones that have been through-lines for the organization: the commitment to education, the desire to be responsive to the community as it grows and evolves, the deeply felt belief that the exploration of ideas through the arts allows us to understand ourselves and our world better,” said Poole. “As we look forward, we will carry this tradition of enriching the Wood River community.”

SVMoA looks to this quote by Holland Cotter on what it means to be a 21^st century museum: “The new museum won’t be defined by architectural glamour or by a market-vetted collection, though it may have these. Structurally porous and perpetually in progress, it will be defined by its own role as a shaper of values, and by the broad audience it attracts.”

As SVMoA looks forward to the next 50 years, it will be a 21^st century museum for this community—a hub for activity and debate where programs are not restricted to the space of the museum and partnerships with other local nonprofits can result in a fuller exploration of ideas that matter to the people who live here.

“We want to listen to each other and also welcome and encourage perspectives that are new or different—provide a window into cultures, peoples, ideas that are not typically represented in this rural mountain town,” explained Poole. “We hope to be a museum that is of, by, and for its community.”

Author Bio: Kristin Poole has served as Artistic Director at SVMoA since 1997 where she leads programming for the accredited Museum. Kris focuses on The Museum’s multidisciplinary approach and explores relevant topics through visual art exhibitions, humanities lectures, seminars, music, film and theatre performances. A curator and art historian, Poole also develops exhibitions and lectures and writes on topics related to modernism, American Craft and contemporary art. She has served as a member of the Ketchum Arts Commission and is past Board president and current Board member of Visit Sun Valley. In 2018 she received the 2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in recognition of her contributions to arts and culture in the state of Idaho. Kris holds an MA in Modern Art History from the University of Chicago and a BA in Studio Art and English from Denison University.

About Sun Valley Museum of Art

Nonprofit Sun Valley Museum of Art (SVMoA), formerly Sun Valley Center for the Arts, has nurtured curiosity, sparked conversation and engaged the Blaine County community since 1971. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, SVMoA reaches an annual audience of 40,000 with its mission to enrich the community through transformative arts and education experiences. SVMoA’s diverse programming includes visual arts exhibitions, lectures, concerts, classes, performances, play readings and BIG IDEA multidisciplinary projects. SVMoA enhances K–12 arts education in local schools with elementary school theatre education, student exhibition tours, professional artist residencies, arts-based classroom enrichment projects, and student and teacher scholarships. To learn more about Sun Valley Museum of Art, explore upcoming events, become a member, or get involved, visit svmoa.org.

The post Connecting to a Broader Community at Sun Valley Museum of Art appeared first on Art Business News.

The creation of a place cultivated by works of art cannot be replicated on a screen. Rather it must be felt, experienced, explored.

Public art is essential for placemaking because it manifests within the very places we inhabit – alleyways, walls, parking structures, parks, and the public way. Art and culture create the heartbeat of the streets. Communities and businesses alike benefit from enhanced social cohesion, improved health and economic outcomes, and the creative energy and aesthetic of a place enhanced by arts and culture.

To entice people back into a routine of work and play outside of the home, we must fill places with color, soul, and emotion. We must create unique opportunities to encounter life.

Here are three ways placemaking can create space that calls people back to shared spaces in our communities.

Create Social Cohesion and a Sense of Community Through Art

The creation of art should be consistent and dynamic. Businesses can play a role by investing in a continual practice of cultivating art and attracting diverse local talent. Local artists’ muse is often their surroundings — the positives and the negatives of the local community, what attracted them, why they’ve stayed, and the influence of everyday life. Their art is the link between the neighborhood’s past and its future. This kind of living experience connects people with the culture and vibe of the community in which they live.

The Blue Trees project does just this for the Denver Theatre District. The project, which covers over 16 city blocks, places civic engagement at the forefront of the community. The project includes 156 blue trees (colored with environmentally safe, non-toxic, natural blue pigment), which bring awareness not only to global deforestation, but also the importance of trees to human life and their environment.

Not only did the Blue Trees project showcase a unique piece of art, it also involved dozens of free, family-friendly events designed to connect the community and the cause.

Cultural Placemaking is a Powerful Tool for Renewal

Utilizing art and culture can reinforce the foundation of our communities. It shows the story of our lives, connects us to the past and is an example that, despite having gone through a pivotal experience like a global pandemic, we can endure and thrive.

Take Denver Water’s headquarters for instance. Through the use of art, the organization was able to share their mission, goals and the work they do. One piece, created by local artist Rik Sargent, entitled “Forests to Faucets” tells the story of how Denver’s water flows through the mountains and into the city’s faucets. To create the piece, Sargent involved different members of Denver Water’s organization to add to the clay model, literally crafting the story through the eyes of the employees.

The integration of this particular work, and other pieces into Denver Water’s new campus not only showed the importance of the work the organization does, but also the creation of a public presence for Denver Water’s rich history and a source of attraction and retention for employees.

Another example of art benefitting the community’s well-being is the Happy City project, which was in the Denver Theatre District. For six weeks, several artists collaborated on installations that encouraged Denver residents to acknowledge and dismantle barriers to mental health and encourage the stronger collective. Programming in streets and alleyways, on billboards and video screens, promoted mental health awareness and citywide wellness through interesting urban design.

Creative Placemaking Through Art Supports The Triple Bottom Line

A recent study by the Urban Land Institute found that the impact of creative placemaking supports the triple bottom line: financial, social and environmental profit.

In fact, Americans for the Arts found the vast majority of Americans — over 90% — believe arts and culture improve quality of life. Over 80% believe arts and culture is essential to the economy and local businesses.

Leveraging arts and culture in conjunction with quality design just makes good business sense. In fact, developers and their partners have reported higher market values, lower turnover rates, faster approval cycles, greater community buy-in, and better brand and market recognition because of the use of public art.

Building with arts and culture in mind, or incorporating them into your existing space, can attract and delight visitors, residents, and employees. Creating a place improves livability and quality of life for the community. It allows us to begin to experience the world again and move forward.

Bio:

As CEO and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS, Martha Weidmann oversees all business operations and works directly with our clients and partners. Martha graduated from Colorado State University with a dual major – Communications and Fine Arts. She started her career with Walker Fine Art gallery in Denver, then moved on to the most prestigious art consulting firm (at the time) in the region, McGrath and Braun, from which NINE dot ARTS was born. Martha loves the business of art and finds tremendous satisfaction in helping new and emerging artists discover that you can actually get paid for your talent. She spends her day balancing between touring an amazing new NINE dot ARTS art experience in the morning and reviewing equally inspiring spreadsheets in the afternoon. Martha supports the art community by currently serving on the Board of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts.

About NINE dot ARTS

NINE dot ARTS is a nationally recognized, award-winning art consulting and curating firm with 825 installations across 35 states and 5 countries. From hotels, multifamily and office properties to large-scale, mixed use developments and dynamic public art installations, NINE dot ARTS transforms ordinary places into one-of-a-kind experiences. For additional information on NINE dot ARTS, visit ninedotarts.com.

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Promoting your art should not be a frustrating activity. Remember, you don’t have to do everything right now. Among the most important things about successful promotion is that it should be targeted with your goals in mind. The first step to successfully promote your art is to decide what you want to achieve. As the popular saying goes, start with the end in mind.

If you are an upcoming artist, you may want to focus on building your reputation in your local area. If people in your area know you and your work, you are ready to move on to a national scale. Perhaps you want to leave a mark within the community connected to your profession or identify the people who are interested in your specialized theme or focus.

Look at your current situation and connections and then write down a few goals that you’d like to achieve in the future. Today, we are going to discuss five proven strategies you can use to promote yourself and your art successfully. Let’s get started!

1. Use your portfolio

To develop your portfolio, you have to create good work. This is the basis of all your success. From that good work, you’ll find it easy to develop a brand and persona. A well-done portfolio will make things easier for you during competitions and other community opportunities to show your work.

The most important element to consider in creating the portfolio is the visual reproduction of your artwork because this is the thing that will attract and captivate the viewer. To develop your portfolio, here are some important points that you can use.

• All your photographs should be of high quality. They should be executed properly to compel your viewers visually. Keep in mind that the visual aspect is what matters in the world of art.
• Every image should be accompanied by clear captivating text. You should include details including size, title, medium, and a brief description of the work. One of the best ways to capture your buyer’s attention is to tell the story behind the piece.
• Write a strong bio. When you capture the buyer’s attention, they will always be genuinely interested in your work. Therefore, don’t be afraid to share your background, your inspirations, and what you want to give to art lovers.

2. Network all the time

Building a huge network in the world of art and creating connections is one of the best ways to promote your art. Remember, every new networking connection can expose you to new opportunities that you never thought possible. The best places to network are in workshops, art fairs, or other art events that take place in your area. So, how do you network and build contacts effectively?

• Art organizations – Art is a business. And like all other businesses, networking is a crucial part of making your art relevant in the art community. The best way to network is to actively participate in art organizations. By doing this, you’ll easily make friends who will become enthusiastic promoters of your art. Art organizations offer resources that will help you strengthen your business model and build your brand.
• Community events – Art fairs, workshops, shows, and open studios are some of the best ways that provide unique opportunities for artists to connect with art enthusiasts. Additionally, as you become a fixture of these events, you’ll build a reputation in your community. When attending such events, remember to carry your business cards. Also, don’t underestimate word of mouth. Chat with people at the event and respond warmly to their questions.
• Follow up – Following up with existing buyers is one of the best ways to network. Your old clients are familiar with your work. If they are still interested, you can consider calling them or sending them an artist newsletter to catch up n what you’ve been doing and your newest pieces.

You can also network with other artists and invest your time in building friendships with art professionals. These relationships are valuable because they will provide you with support and inspiration.

3. Get active in the community

You’ll build your reputation quickly when you volunteer to use your artistic abilities within your community. When you volunteer, you can get unexpected opportunities to promote your artwork. Some of the best ways to promote your art in the community might be through:

• Visiting local schools – Volunteering to go into class and teach students about your art, or art in general, will promote you and your art because schools often host professional artists and investors. These people might become your best supporters.
• Participating in community projects – The majority of towns today take art to the streets through community projects. Volunteering your artistic skills will leave your mark in the community.

4. Look for representation

Sometimes, working alone can be overwhelming. It’s always good to seek help when you can’t do everything alone or effectively. Working with a reputable gallery is one of the best ways to boost your career progression and achieve your dreams. It is the responsibility of an art gallery to represent you with exhibitions, at fairs, and other community events. They might also be able to get you new high-value clients, locally and even internationally.

5. Make use of technology

The rapid advancement of technology has made most aspects of our lives easier. And that includes promoting your art. At an event, your clients see your work. Online they can see a broader range of your work.  Having a website, blog or social media account dedicated to your craft will open new doors for you in the future. Therefore, make use of technology as much as you can. It’s here to make your work easier and bring that revenue you’re looking for.

Conclusion

The world needs to recognize you as an artist. And the only way to do this is by creating great pieces of art. There is no shortcut to this. When you create a beautiful and captivating piece, you need to get it out there and reach your audience. You’ll need have the courage and conviction to keep on keeping on even when things get tough. Finally, don’t quit when things don’t work out. Every successful artist had to start somewhere. Get busy, start marketing and promoting your art using these proven tips and success will come to you.

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Michael Gorman is an experienced freelance writer and editor from UK who currently works at dissertation service and essay writing service. Being interested in everyday development, he writes various blog posts for personal statement writing service and essay writer and discovers new aspects of human existing every day. Feel free to contact him via Facebook or Twitter and check his work on https://dissertation-today.com/.

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