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Tag Archives: Microfunding
ArtSpark’s Arts Listening Project Launches!
www.visualthesaurus.com
ArtSpark is excited to launch its brand-spanking-new Arts Listening Project (ArtsLP) in the New Year, 2013. Yeehaw!
ArtSpark is out to discover what artists + sustainability truly means and how it translates into effective action and positive outcomes for art in communities. ArtSpark will facilitate a series of participatory dialogues/discussions in New Mexico and California (ArtSpark is located in ABQ) with different key individuals and stakeholder groups: artists, arts and culture organizations, arts supporters, patrons, community members, grassroots and official leaders, etc. After we’ve collected and analyzed data to identify themes and variations, the project will continue in an online space.
Why are we asking questions about how artists are (and can be!) sustained and supported? Skills and strategies that sustain artists are essential for creative strength and longevity. This equation does, of course, include arts organizations that show/present artistic work, provide artists with skills, plus advocate on behalf of artists and the arts.
The word sustain means “to supply with necessities and support” and “to provide with nourishment.” Yet there is little consensus among different stakeholders and groups around how “sustaining artists” creates a valuable, rich, diverse and reliable arts ecosystem within a community.
ArtSpark has discovered in listening to 150+ artists/arts organizations, arts supporters, patrons and community members that the word sustainability, when related specifically to artists, can mean very different things to different people. ArtSpark sees patterns that are worth pursuing, like social media for audience development/engagement, bartering and exchange, online crowdfunding, and affordable housing, studio space and health insurance. However, to learn more we need to collect more data, allowing for the wisdom of the community to shine through.
A question for you, dear reader: “What does sustaining artists mean to YOU?” We welcome your comments and hope that this conversation continues to engage…
Posted in Arts Listening Project
Tagged Albuquerque, Art, Artists, arts, arts investor/donor, Arts Listening Project, ArtSpark, Crowdfunding, fundraising, kickstarter, Microfunding, online communication, philanthropy, San Francisco, Social Media for Artists, sustainability, technology and the arts
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ArtSpark in San Francisco: SO much learning!
What a great time we all had in SF! Thanks to Matt Garcia and Misty Avila from Aspiration Tech, lots of good facilitation and information around sustainability in the arts and online communication/social media was flowing. Thanks to everyone who … Continue reading
A Kickstarter Rollercoaster Ride
This is a long post, I know, but so worth the read! Congratulations to Reba Hasko, an extraordinary performer (singer/songwriter could describe her but, hey, she’s more than that) who just succeeded at funding her campaign on kickstarter.com. Reba and … Continue reading
‘Tis the Season to be Giving
Thanks to Jen @ www.hellojenuine.com
It’s DECEMBER: the month for merry-making and trying your hardest to get work done in the midst of it all. It’s also the month for fundraising, particularly during that last week between Christmas and New Years. A very interesting factoid: 22% of all annual charitable giving comes on December 30th and 31st (from Network for Good).
Here are some tips for December giving that we’ve learned over the past 3 years (all of these items HAVE contributed to ArtSpark’s own fundraising success):
- Use an e-newsletter service! This not only adds a professional shine to your emails, but also provides mailing list management (including those important “unsubscribes”), fantastic analytics, and stringent spam requirements. ArtSpark likes MailChimp and Vertical Response because they’re easy to use, friendly and you can pay as you go (very nice for individual artists and small arts organizations).
- Include inspirational language and images (but no video) in your e-newsletter – capitalize on passion!
- Use the word “contribute” in your e-newsletter subject line (also make that subject line short and sweet and go easy on punctuation).
- NO MORE THAN 300 WORDS! Make sure your e-newsletter is well-written with no typos – also make sure all the links work, including donate buttons and links to sites like PayPal.
- ALWAYS send out a “test” of your e-newsletter to 2-3 people with good eyes and writing skills before you send it out to your whole list.
- Consider segmenting your email list and sending more specific e-newsletters to different groups – e.g., friends, family, colleagues, etc.
- ASK, ASK AND ASK! Send short, but different, emails out 2-3 times in the week after Christmas, including the 30th or 31st of December.
- Don’t forget the power of face-to-face conversations and “snail mail” with your best donors or donor prospects. Personal touch and communication makes all the difference.
- Leverage online social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Google +, etc. to get the word out.
- Make sure your mailing address and phone number is on your website homepage and your “About Us” page.
So, in the spirit of the season, HO HO HO! to all and have fun during this season of giving cheer!
Posted in Albuquerque Artists
Tagged Albuquerque, Artists, arts, ArtSpark, fundraising, Microfunding, technology and the arts
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Artists online + face2face = MAGIC
ArtSpark’s heard several artists and arts organizations recently bemoan the time online networking takes and if it really makes a difference. It’s difficult to know, from the outside, what’s going on with their online space without exploring more deeply, but there are some guidelines that ArtSpark would like to offer:
1. Don’t jump into building a website or blog or signing up for social media without thinking ahead. Questions like: “Is my audience online and, if yes, how/where?” and “What are my online communication goals for building and engaging my audience over the next year?” are worth considering.
2. Commit to 1-2 online tools and use them regularly (consistency is key!). This takes energy and time. Also, don’t forget to experiment with these tools (like adding video or photos to your website and/or Twitter) as this engages readers/followers even more.
3. Don’t forget to make art and connect in-person with your community! Online activities mustn’t supplant your creative work and offline networking. ArtSpark artists/arts orgs are learning a lot about how to balance both worlds and the power of combining them, like inviting your online community to a dress rehearsal or a celebration. It works!