RESOURCES FOR WASHINGTON ARTISTS
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Types of resources:
Fundraising
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Legal
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Marketing & PR
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Professional Development
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Reports
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Web Design
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Other
Want to submit a resource? Fill out this form.
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Looking for a grant, art call, job, or other opportunity? Check out the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture opportunities page or the 4Culture listings page, or check out our list of funders.
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ART call listings & FAIRS
Art Deadline
ArtDeadline.Com publishes income and exhibition opportunities for artists all over the world.
Website: www.artdeadline.com
Art Fair Calendar
Art Fair Sourcebook
Call for Entry
CaFÉ is a program of the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF). The site allows artists to find and apply for art calls.
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Website: www.callforentry.org
ART MATERIALS
Coming soon!
DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES
American Institute of Graphic Artists
American Society of Media Photographers
Graphic Artists Guild
A guild that advocates on behalf of graphic artists and design professionals.
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Website: www.graphicartistsguild.org
Public Art ARchive
The Public Art Archive is a free, continually growing, online and mobile database of completed public artworks.
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Website: www.publicartarchive.org
diversity, equity & inclusion
Capacity Building for Racial Equity in Public Art
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One current goal of Seattle's public art program is to address historic and current institutional racism, or at the very least the paucity of artists of color working in the public realm. Beyond fixing public education at its most basic level and addressing economic disparity there are steps that a local arts agency can take to train and help the next generation of public artists. One of the ways the Office of Arts & Culture has been tackling this problem is through capacity building.
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Website: www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Arts/Downloads/Reports/2018_9-WHITEPAPER-PublicArtBootCamp-SCREEN.pdf
CHANGELAB
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CHANGELAB is a racial justice think tank based in Seattle, WA. They promote cross-sectoral analysis of the political, economic, cultural and ideological dimensions of race and racism in the United States, with a particular focus on Asian Americans.
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Website: www.changelabinfo.com
Colorlines
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Colorlines is a daily news site where race matters, featuring award-winning in-depth reporting, news analysis, opinion and curation.
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Website: www.colorlines.com
"Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics" by Kimberle Crenshaw
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Kimberle Crenshaw's paper originating the term "intersectionality."
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Website: chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=uclf
King County: Building Equity & Opportunity
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In late 2016, King County produced its first Strategic Plan for Equity and Social Justice (ESJ), co-created with employees and community partners. The Plan is a blueprint for action and change that guides other County's pro-equity policy direction, decision-making, planning, operations and services, and workplace practices in order to advance equity and social justice within County government and in partnership with communities.
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Website: www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/priorities/building-equity/infographic.aspx
Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity at the Ohio State University
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The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity is an interdisciplinary engaged research institute at The Ohio State University established in May 2003. It was named for former university president William E. “Brit” Kirwan in recognition of his efforts to champion diversity at OSU. Their goal is to connect individuals and communities with opportunities needed for thriving by educating the public, building the capacity of allied social justice organizations, and investing in efforts that support equity and inclusion.
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Website: kirwaninstitute.osu.edu
Putting Racism on the Table: Robin DiAngelo on White Privilege
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In the second session of the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers' Putting Racism on the Table series, Robin DiAngelo, former professor of education and Author of "What Does It Mean to be White?" discusses white privilege.
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Website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv-pkNXcKsw&nohtml5=
Non-Profit Anti-Racism Coalition​
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The Non-Profit Anti-Racism Coalition supports organizations in practicing institutional anti-racism. Their commitment to ending systemic racism and oppression calls all of us to action in the complicated times ahead.
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Website: www.nparcseattle.org
Race: The Power of an Illusion
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Watch this three-part documentary on race in society, science, and history published by PBS.
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Website: www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm
Race Forward
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Race Forward united with Center for Social Inclusion in 2017 to become the new Race Forward.
Founded in 1981, Race Forward brings systemic analysis and an innovative approach to complex race issues to help people take effective action toward racial equity. Founded in 2002, CSI catalyzes community, government, and other institutions to dismantle structural racial inequity and create equitable outcomes for all.
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Website: www.raceforward.org
Racial Equity Tools
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Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large.
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Website: www.racialequitytools.org/home
RE-Tool: Racial Equity in the Panel Process
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To address racial equity in the panel process, we must actively investigate who has access to opportunities and who doesn’t. Put another way, anti-racist grantmakers must design and implement systems and protocols that increase access and decrease barriers for historically under-resourced groups. We must ask ourselves: Who submits applications? Who do we award? How do we train panel moderators, panelists, and facilitators? In what ways can we interrupt racial bias and contribute to systemic change?
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Website: www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Arts/Downloads/Reports/Re-Tool.2018.pdf
Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative
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The Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) is the City of Seattle’s commitment to realize the vision of racial equity. RSJI is a citywide effort to end institutional racism in City government, and to achieve racial equity across our community. Seattle City Council and City Attorney all endorse and support RSJI.
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Website: www.seattle.gov/civilrights/what-we-do/race-and-social-justice-initiative
"The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House" by Audre Lorde
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An excerpt of a panel Audre Lorde participated in on black feminism.
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Website:
collectiveliberation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Lorde_The_Masters_Tools.pdf
Western States Center​
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Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center works nationwide to strengthen inclusive democracy so that all people can live, love, and work free from fear.
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Website: www.westernstatescenter.org
World Trust Educational Services​
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Through film and dialogue, World Trust Educational Services ignites courage and expands capacity to create a world free from racism.
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Website: www.world-trust.org
entrepreneurship
Artist as entrepreneur: the American model or same old American dream?
A December 2013 article from The Guardian.
Can Artists Be Entrepreneurs? Absolutely
An April 2015 article from Forbes.
Freelancers Union
A free-to-join organization that advocates on behalf of independent workers and provides benefits for members.
Website: www.freelancersunion.org
How to Balance Full-time Work with Creative Projects
A guide to finding the right day job, protecting your time, and building creative habits.
Website: www.thecreativeindependent.com/guides/how-to-balance-full-time-work-with-creative-projects
The Death of the Artist—and the Birth of the Creative Entrepreneur
A January/February 2018 article from The Atlantic.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
An Artist's Guide to Financial Planning
Published by Creative Independent, this guide provides financial advice for artists.
Website: www.thecreativeindependent.com/guides/an-artists-guide-to-financial-planning
A Smart Artist's Guide to Income Taxes
Published by Creative Independent, this guide provides financial advice for artists.
Website: www.thecreativeindependent.com/guides/an-artists-guide-to-financial-planning
Shunpike
Shunpike provides fiscal sponsorship to individual artists and unincorporated arts organizations, allowing them to accept charitable donations.
Website: shunpike.org
Funders
4Culture
With a focus on racial equity, 4Culture funds, supports, and advocates for culture to enhance the quality of life in King County, Washington. It envisions a vibrant county where culture is essential and accessible to all.
Website: www.4culture.org​
Artist Trust
Artist Trust’s mission is to support and encourage artists working in all disciplines to enrich community life throughout Washington State.
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Website: www.artisttrust.org
ArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission)
ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. A state agency formed by the Washington State Legislature in 1961, its mission is to nurture and support the role of the arts in the lives of all Washingtonians.
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Website: www.arts.wa.gov
Creative Capital
Creative Capital supports innovative and adventurous artists across the country through funding, counsel, gatherings, & career development services.
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Website: creative-capital.org
National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America.
Website: www.arts.gov
Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) manages the city's public art program, cultural partnerships grant programs, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, and The Creative Advantage initiative in the effort to foster a city driven by creativity that provides the opportunity for everyone to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences.
Website: www.seattle.gov/arts
FUNDRAISING
Crowdfunding Guide
Created by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, this guide teaches you about crowdfunding, gives an overview of several crowdfunding platforms, and gives you some tips and tricks to make your campaign a success.
Website: www.admin.gosmart.org/agency_uploads/seattle/Civic_Partners/ARTSCrowdfundingGuide2018.pdf
LEGAL
An Artist's Guide to Copyrights
An explanation of copyright law—and what to do if your copyrights have been infringed upon.
Website: www.thecreativeindependent.com/guides/an-artists-guide-to-copyrights
How Not To Get Screwed When Signing A Contract
This article walks you through important considerations to make and things to look for when signing an artistic contract.
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Website: www.emergingsf.org/how-not-to-get-screwed-when-signing-a-contract
Washington Lawyers for the Arts
MARKETING & PR
How to Get Press for Your Creative Work
Published by Creative Independent, this guide helps artists create a PR strategy, refine their story, and pitch writers. Written by Kate Bernyk with illustrations by Qiong Li.
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Website: www.thecreativeindependent.com/guides/how-to-get-press-for-your-creative-work/
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mentorly
Mentorly is an online arts mentorship platform that provides accessible and engaging opportunities to connect with emerging and professional artists from around the world. Browse potential mentors and book sessions online.
Website: www.mentorly.co
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PS: You can apply for a scholarship to get free mentoring sessions from Artists Up. Learn more here.
reports
Artists Up: Learning from Grant Lab
As a one-time experiment, Grant LAB tested multiple dimensions of change, in concert with each other. The lessons learned align with findings from previous Artists Up research and additional research and conversation in the arts sector.
Report: Learning from Grant Lab
Artists Up: Learning from Artists
With input provided by the artists participating in four focus groups, Artist Up and its parent agencies learned how to tackle their goals with new clarity and purpose.
Report: Learning from Artists
Artist Trust: 2019 Annual Artist Survey Report
Artist Trust's Annual Artist Survey helps build responsive programming and create new opportunities to support, connect, and advocate for artists. The results of this survey allow everyone to better understand artists and share information.
Report: 2019 Annual Artist Survey Report
WEB DESIGN
Big Cartel
How to Make a Website for Your Creative Work
A guide to getting your work on the internet so you can share it with others.
Website: www.thecreativeindependent.com/guides/how-to-make-a-website-for-your-creative-work
SquareSpace
Weebly
Wix
OTHER RESOURCES
Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts is a national nonprofit that connects ideas and leaders from the arts, communities, and business to ensure that every American has access to the transformative power of the arts.
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Website: www.americansforthearts.org​
The Creative Independent
Americans for the Arts is a national nonprofit that connects ideas and leaders from the arts, communities, and business to ensure that every American has access to the transformative power of the arts.
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Website: www.americansforthearts.org
College Art Association Resume Guidelines
Provides conventions and guidelines or artists' resumes, as well as examples.
Website: www.collegeart.org/standards-and-guidelines/guidelines/resume
Fractured Atlas
Fractured Atlas helps individual artists and arts organizations at every level through fiscal sponsorship, space listings, educational resources, and personalized support.
Website: www.fracturedatlas.org
New York Foundation for the Arts
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is a nonprofit service organization that empowers working artists and emerging arts organizations across all disciplines at critical stages in their creative lives and professional/organizational development.
Website: www.nyfa.org
Placemaking Glossary
A glossary of creative placemaking terms from Forecast Public Art.
Website: www.forecastpublicart.org/resources/placemaking-glossary