I am a subscriber to Don Crozier's newsletter from the Best of Missouri Hands and a recent issue included two separate opportunities for health insurance for artists. I have investigated them only cursorily, but am going to list them here for your investigation.
1. From Joan Merrell: I may have already sent this in, but my calligraphy organization has just joined the Open Arts Network through Fractured Atlas, a group dedicated to getting affordable health and liability insurance to artists (as
well as branching into other helps for learning to run an art business or group, get grants, etc.). The more people involved, the better the insurance deals and it costs NOTHING for a group like BOMH (Best of Missouri Hands) to join. If you are interested go to www.fracturedatlas.org to check it out, Adam Natale is the contact person.
2. From Scott Snail: As some of you may know, I'm a local sculptor living in the Metro East and teaching on both sides of the river. I'm also a board member of the Potters Council, a national nonprofit ceramic artists group sponsored by the American Ceramic Society. We offer a range of benefits for members including a web presence in our members' gallery with (soon) online sales, as well as member discounts on things like Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated magazines, books published by the American Ceramic Society, workshops and conferences that we sponsor, credit card services, shipping, rental cars, dental, optical and chiropractic services, hearing aids,
and now:
HEALTH INSURANCE!
After a number of years of searching, we have contracted with a reputable insurance firm to offer group health insurance benefits to members, at rates much better than any individual plans we know of, and comparable to many employer-based group plans.
No, I'm not shilling for anyone but the Potters Council, and there's no money in it for me or anyone else involved. But, we are a young and still growing organization, and every new member strengthens our ability to offer more and better benefits in the future. For things like group insurance, and even shipping discounts, there is strength in numbers!
Membership is open to anyone, and runs $40 a year. We're not just for potters, but for anyone working in clay, at any skill level. In fact, we don't even limit it to that. While many of our benefits will be of interest mainly to ceramics people, a lot of our benefits (like health insurance) would be worthwhile to anyone who needs those services and could use a discount. Increased membership benefits everyone involved, so even if you are a painter, a printmaker, a photographer, a poet, or whatever, it might be worth looking into. Anyone is welcome to join, even if you've never worked in clay and don't plan to. Maybe we'll recruit you later! (Just kidding.)
Seriously, it's a pretty good deal. Not free, for sure, but a lot cheaper than most other options, and we'd love to have you as a member.
Feel free to visit the website for more details about the organization: http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/potterscouncil/
I would be very interested in learning if anyone investigates these options and what they learn from them. It seems like an impossible task, finding affordable health insurance for the self-employed. Yet, on that topic, here in Michigan we became members of the local Chamber of Commerce some years ago and were then eligible for the health insurance that was available to Chamber members. AND it was very affordable.
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Posted by Jim Parker on February 11, 2009 at 5:34pm
Did Boca this past weekend. The first show of the season for me. I sat out January and was glad to get some work done. But Boca was disappointing. Lots of interest, lots of browsers, lots of love, but very few buyers. Most everyone I talked to was having the same show. I think Michael McKee did well, but the photogs were hurting. My sales were half what they were last year. We'll see how Artigras and Naples go, like Nels said.
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Howard Alan Events can become the backbone of your exhibiting year. These popular outdoor festivals are consistently ranked among the top art shows in the country. Located along some of the most charming streets in the nation, the festivals brings the unique creations of hundreds of award-winning artists to thousands of art enthusiasts across America every weekend.
7th Annual Alexandria Festival of the ArtsAbout Howard Alan Events More than 27 years ago Howard Alan opened a retail store in Plantation, FL. In this store, Howard featured artists and crafters, selling their work on consignment. A publicity stunt featuring a 6-foot-4-inch gorilla named Magilla, brought the press running, landing Howard and his gallery on several local TV news stations, as well as Good Morning America and PM Magazine. Realizing he had a knack for advertising and public relations he combined this talent and his passion for the arts and created Howard Alan Events, a public relations and advertising agency specializing in art show promotions.
Today, Howard Alan is one of the most widely and highly recognized individuals in the industry. Along with Debbie, his wife and business partner of 25 years, his son Darrin and their dedicated staff, Howard runs 45 annual juried art shows and 40 annual craft shows out of a small office in Plantation, Florida. With all the shows came the artists. Over the last 24 years, Howard Alan is proud to have
exhibited the work of over 10,000 different artists worldwide. Today, a typical Howard Alan show will feature anywhere from 100 to upwards of 300 exhibitors. Many credit Howard Alan for allowing them to make a living doing what they love most.
The District Art Annual...Downtown Kansas City Howard Alan Events produces multiple shows therefore they have an ongoing jury process that meets twice monthly and juries by category. SHOW DIRECTOR'S SUGGESTION: We recommend that you apply EARLY as the show and/or most categories will fill quickly. Visit their website
www.artfestival.com to view the events and plan your schedule. Then apply at:
www.zapplication.orgRead more…
Posted by Connie Mettler on February 11, 2009 at 12:00pm
The art world is in a tizzy about Shepard Fairey and his use of the Obama image he created
(or did not create as some would say). At his recent art opening in Boston he was even arrested! Here are just a few of links for the "rest of the story":
Pro-Fairey gripe from ICA party sponsor: Boston Globe, United States - 8 hours ago My company, Karmaloop, Inc. sponsored the opening night party for Shepard Fairey's show at the ICA. The anticipation and buzz among young adults throughout ...
Hope poster artist sued, arrested ZDNet - 11 hours ago News of the weird. First Obama poster artist Shepard Fairey is sued by AP for copyright infringement for using a wire service photo as a model for his ...
Blew it again, Boston Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago Shepard Fairey's work is on display on a building near the Massachusetts Turnpike at Mass. Ave. and Newbury Street. (David Kamerman/Globe Staff) MY COMPANY ...
Artist files pre-emptive suit in photo dispute with AP International Herald Tribune, France - 22 hours ago By Randy Kennedy The street artist Shepard Fairey has filed a lawsuit against The Associated Press, asking a judge to declare that he is protected from ...
Monster Mash: Breaking news and headlines Los Angeles Times, CA - 23 hours ago -- After arrest in Boston, street artist Shepard Fairey fires back at the Associated Press with a lawsuit of his own. -- Artist and Long Beach gallery face ...
Artist's arrest points to a Boston divide Boston Globe, United States - Feb 10, 2009 By Maria Cramer and John R. Ellement While renowned artist Shepard Fairey was being feted around Boston in recent weeks, posing for pictures with Mayor ....
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If you love art fairs as I do, you have probably noticed over the years that there are many couples doing art shows, each with their own body of work. Couples like this are truly hostages to fortune, throwing all their financial future into the vagaries of the art fair life: each making serious art, jurying into the art fairs where there is money to be made and being successful selling the art at the event.
"All She Ever Wanted"-mixed media by Kathrine Allen-Coleman
Scott Coleman and Kathrine Allen-Coleman from Jackson, GA, are a good example of this. They have not held "jobs" for many years and they rely on their art, almost entirely one-of-a-kind imagery, for their livelihood. These people are not making "products", but continually challenge themselves to create art that has meaning to them and also to you.
"Boat Series 3" - watercolor by Scott Coleman Scott, the traditionalist, has been a full-time painter, mostly with watercolor since 1972. Kathrine joined him at the art fairs about ten years ago skipping lightly through painting styles until most recently landing on a special look, a mixed media series featuring vintage clothing that has been garnering her prizes and acceptance at the best art fairs. Lucky you, in Florida, you will be able to meet them in Miami at the
Coconut Grove Art Festival on President's Day weekend! Learn more about Scott and Kathrine and the interesting artist's life at
: ArtFairCalendar.com/featured artistRead more…
Greetings from CERF.
This message is going out to arts organizations and businesses in the regions of Arkansas and Kentucky affected by the recent ice storm. We hope you and your loved ones have been able to avoid loss from the storm and we wish those who have suffered loss a quick recovery.
CERF would like to make sure that any professional craft artist who may have been seriously affected by the storm is aware of the disaster relief assistance available from CERF. If you know of craft artists in the areas hardest hit by the storm, or plan to correspond with your artist constituents in the near future, please pass this information on. If there are organizations that directly work with artists in your community that you think we should know about, please send us their contact information.
CERF's programs include:
Grants up to $1,500;
Loans up to $8,000;
Booth fee waivers at craft shows;Discounts on materials and equipment from suppliers and manufacturers; Assistance with business development through referrals to consultants and other low or no-cost resources; Disaster forums to facilitate craft community disaster preparedness and recovery.
For eligibility requirements and more detailed information, please click here or contact us at:
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF)
PO Box 838
Montpelier, VT 05601
ph: (802) 229-2306
fx: (802) 223-6484
les@craftemergency.orgwww.craftemergency.org
Thank you for helping spread the word about CERF. Please contact me if you have questions.
Best wishes,
Les
Les Snow
Operations and Financial Services Manager
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Thank you Don Crozier of StrandedGlass.com for this info.
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Very Easy for people who have a rough time while on the road..Google 411
Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this!!!
Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411. This is an awesome service from Google, and it's free -- great when you are on the road.
Don't waste your money on information calls and don't waste your time manually dialing the number. I am driving along in my car and I need to call tonight’s hotel and I don't know the number. I hit the speed dial for information that I have programmed.
The voice at the other end says, "City & State." I say, " Miami, FL." He says, "Business Name or Type of Service." I say, Hampton Inn." He says, "Connecting" and Hampton Inn answers the phone. How great is that? This is nationwide and it is absolutely free!
Click on the link below and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration.
http://www.google.com/goog411/
Many thanks to my good friend, Barb Burkhardt, for this cool tip.
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Many of you have websites, and some of you are doing all the work there. Here is a good article about Search Engine Optimization to get you thinking and tweaking to increase the traffic on your site:
"How to Think Like a Search Engine" by Scott Fox:
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July 18 24th Annual Art in the Park Petoskey, MI presented by the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce 130 artists Deadline: March 1
Held in Downtown Petoskey's picturesque Pennsylvania Park, this one day, juried fine arts and crafts show is located in the heart of a traditional, wealthy resort area whose passion for art and culture is well known. The well heeled resort community and visitors who come from around the country produce estimated crowd counts of 15,000 and up. Art in the Park's location in a resort area is important to you. Now you can combine your selling opportunities with a vacation, but even more importantly you should know that it is an uncontested fact that the Number One thing people do while they are on vacation is shop and they spend money on things that they do not normally purchase. Shopping for your artwork can be on their list if you attend Petoskey's Art in the Park. If you are worried about Michigan's economy, consider also the fact that the Petoskey region is the vacation destination for St. Louis and Chicago. Expect: *crowds of buyers *a peaceful and beautiful setting in the heart of an historic downtown shopping destination *a complimentary breakfast served by volunteers from Sturgeon River Pottery *fair booth fee of $165 And, to prove this is a hard working committee look at what is new this year: *an artist's Welcome Reception will be held at Stafford's Gallery, with the convenience of registration the night before the show *a block of rooms for artists at North Central Michigan College, just blocks away from Pennsylvania Park, at a very reasonable price. *And, if you would like to appear at
a second show while you are in northern Michigan, consider attending the Goodhart Mini Fair which is Sunday, July 19. (Pre-registration information is available on our art fair application.) Often the ambitious artists who are participating in a one day show are pleased to find another one nearby for the second day. I think this is the first time I have seen two events pair up like this to enable both to have a better selection of artists. Way to go, Chamber of Commerce! Thank you for this consideration. Application forms available online at:
www.petoskey.com/art, or call at 231-347-4150 and they will mail one to you.
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Here are just a few vendor's you can see this week in our Virtual Craft Show at www.cafehandmade.com. We also have featured Artist interviews, Mommaprenuer of the week, and a free Artist giveaway.Read more…
From Americans for the Arts:
January 28 the U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the Economic Recovery Package by a vote of 244 to 188 which successfully included $50 million in supplemental grants funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)!
This provision was threatened throughout the House process by opponents of the NEA who questioned its effectiveness in providing economic stimulus. Today, the NEA offered the following statement, “the arts and culture industry is a sector of the economy just like any other with workers who pay taxes, mortgages, rent and contribute in other ways to the economy; and that the National Endowment for the Arts is uniquely positioned to assist in job stimulation for that industry.”
Thanks to the thousands of advocates who contacted their Members of Congress and let them know the importance of maintaining funding for the NEA!
However, our work is not finished yet as the U.S. Senate starts their debate on the bill tomorrow and continues through next week. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not include an arts jobs funding provision in their version of the bill, but advocates still have an opportunity to change the final outcome.
Please take two minutes to take action and ask your Member of Congress and Senators to support the arts in this legislation. Americans for the Arts has supplied you with fresh research and key quotes that support this funding -- your help in communicating this information to your Member of Congress is critical.
Please help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. Play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple.
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hi all,I'm just getting into the zapplication process and need advice on how to get my existing print photos up and running for the zapp process..do I need to take them to a photo shop or do I need special software? I'm ready to apply to several shows and feeling depressed about not getting it.Anyone??? Thanks for help...MIKE
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Here are some more photos and chat about the Manifest Hope art exhibit in D.C. last month, interesting images of the artists setting up for the event. The art show was only open for three days and I got there in the closing hour - greeted by very long lines. Luckily we got in, but had to hurry through as they were having a BIG party at 6 pm.
http://www.obamaartreport.com/2009/02/manifest-hope-behind-scenes-day-three.htmlRead more…
The jury for the
Great Lakes Art Fair (April 17-19 in Novi, MI) is meeting on Friday morning. The official deadline was 2/2, but they have received so many calls from people (you know, "the application is in the mail" thing) whose applications are on the way that they will continue to accept applications until Thursday night 2/6. That is one of the wonderful things about digital jurying - it is fast and the bookkeeping aspects virtually disappear, you can sit down at the last minute and it is in the art show's computer virtually instantly. Please send yours in or call the office (Erin-248-348-5600 ext. 236) to make arrangements for delivery.
They have some terrific applicants, artists you want to be in shows with. It feels like we have the momentum to turn this into a jewel of an event. Join us. Let's put some excitement back into this business! Visit
zapplication.org now!
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Errata--in January I reported that the
Central West End Art Fair and Taste in St. Louis, MO, had been cancelled. After speaking with this year's Executive Director, Laura Lock, she confirmed that the 2009 15th annual event has NOT been cancelled. Put it back on your calendar, artists! This cool local event that features art, performance and great food is alive and well and will be on the streets of the Central West End neighborhood June 11-14. For more info:
www.thecwe.com. My apologies to this hard-working group for this error.
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Ahhh, you just keep working and working and what do you get? Most people in this business know the long hours and the creative flow necessary for success in this business. My most recent favorite book is Malcolm Gladwell's The Outliers. It is a very thought provoking book, full of interesting statistics including - the 10,000 Hour Rule. In order to be really good at something a person must put in at least 10,000 hours working at it.
I believe you will find some good food for thought in member Jeane Vogel's recent blog posting:
No Shortcuts to the Artist's Life
There were no fewer than two dozen young people -- under 30 -- who walked into my studio on Saturday and wanted a job, wanted an internship, wanted to know the secret of success, wanted to know why they couldn't sell their art, wanted to know --- well, you get the idea….
http://jeanevogel.blogspot.com/2009/01/no-shortcuts-to-artists-life.htmlRead more…
And now for some good news:
Thanks to Ralph Quick for this:
I guess folks have made enough noise on this one... the Consumer Product Safety Commission has granted a one year stay on the enforcement of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
They will be using the time to figure out how they can protect children without putting all the crafters, etc., out of business, and without causing the libraries to throw out all their children's books. :-)
CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans….
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html
Read more about this issue at: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/more-legislation-out-to-get
Thanks to Don Crozier, Best of Missouri Hands for this good news, www.bestofmissourihands.comRead more…
Posted by Jeane Vogel on February 2, 2009 at 10:55am
"Potter's not selling. He's buying! And why? Because we're panicking and he's not."George Bailey, It's A Wonderful LifeA room full of scared people trying to get their money out of a rickety, broken down, old Savings & Loan before all hell breaks loose. That's the image that comes to mind as I prepare for Art Fair Season --2009.Imagine the room filled with art fair artists. Imagine we've lost faith in ourselves ....Continue reading at Beyond the Art Fair, http://www.jeanevogel.blogspot.com
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