When: Thursday June 9, 2011 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
On Thursday June 9th, 2011 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Wealthy Theater, Revolutionary ART will have a meeting/break-out session that will explore the importance of having representation of minority artists, musicians, and patrons for the arts directly involved in Michigan's current creative communities, while informing Black & Brown Artists of the advantages of designing business ventures that reflect the growing economy. ARTPRIZE, Avenue for the Arts, and Artpeers all opened great opportunities for artists locally and internationally, but highlighted the very low participation from minorities in the artistic synergy. In return, the low participation brought several collective Black & Brown artists to discuss the topic of organizing, educating, and supporting a diverse Artistic community.
With outstanding initiatives being proposed to Grand Rapids and Detroit to lead the nation in building the creative class, minority artists/musicians are forced to build strong networks and develop longer relationships outside of their community in order to survive. In this meeting our topics of the evening will include
1. Establishing your Presence and Target Market: For every artist/musician there is an audience or consumer. Since many minority artists need to go outside of their own demographic frequently to become successful we will explore ways to further relationship building with new environments and supporting collective work rather than individual artistic accomplishments.
2. Working Options for the Current Economy: Diversifying how you sell your artwork, where you display your work, creating a successful portfolio, and how functional (usable) is you’re Art on a daily basis are all key components of being visible and paid Artists in 2011. Unless you have created an ideal following where your artwork or music is valued at the price range you set, several artists find the money to commission their pieces of choice a struggle.
3. Expanding Networks & Engaging Political Leadership: Expanding networks for you or your craft may include understanding who your community leaders are. During this break out session you will have the opportunity to Q&A with local business and political leadership about your ideas as well as questions and concerns.
Revolutionary ART will be initiating the conversation and exploring solutions to better support black and brown artists/musicians. This meeting is welcome to all who have ideas and share a passion for diversifying the artistic representation here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Partnerships- Salon 477, theblackbottom.com
