This section presents some of our favorite links and resources that are useful to artists, community developers, public officials, planners, and neighborhood activists.
- Arts Resource Network: Artist Housing and Workspace Issues (Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Seattle)
- Chicago Artists Resource Square Feet and Space section- intended to assist artists with their creative and professional practice and to strengthen the community of artists in Chicago
www.chicagoartistsresource.org
www.chicagoartistsresource.org/?q=section/811
- WESTAF Building for the Arts
A Guidebook for the Planning and Designing of Cultural Facilities. Catherine Brown et. al.
- New York State Artist Workspace Consortium has published two helpful guides for those looking to create artist workspaces. Both can be downloaded here: www.nysawc.org/publications.htm
- The Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities created a short video called "Creating Artists Space", now converted to a DVD and available on the LINC web site. The market for this video is the banking and financial community to demonstrate to them the importance of funding artists space.
- Markusen, Ann, et al have completed two relevant studies:
Artists' Centers, Evolution and Impact on Careers, Neighborhoods and Economies
The Artistic Dividend: The Arts' Hidden Contributions to Regional Development, Project on Regional and Industrial Economics
Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
www.hhh.umn.edu/projects/prie
- Toronto Artscape Square Feet
While there appears to be a dearth of actual simple technical assistance to artists on the complexities of attaining or developing space, Artscape Toronto has developed a localized online space technical guide called “Square Feet.†This thorough guide addresses a wide range, from simple questions such as what it means to sign a lease to information about environmental regulations impact on space development.
- Seattle Guide
A locally tailored artist housing technical assistance guide similar to “Square Feet†from Toronto Artscape
- A NonProfit Space Odyssey
This booklet is written for nonprofit leaders, individual donors, foundation and corporate leaders, and anyone concerned with nonprofit space needs. It will assist you with the predevelopment phase of a capital project, as well as thinking through the planning and financing options. If you are a community benefit corporation staff or board leader, this booklet will help you understand the basics of capital projects. If you are someone considering making a donation or a grant to a nonprofit space project, this booklet will help you think through your options in how to support such a project, and the questions to ask before you decide to do so.
- NYC Capital Resource Guidebook
This Capital Resource Guidebook is a reference point for organizations searching for funding (whether as grants or loans) and technical assistance in the New York region (and also some national) as they undertake a major capital project.
Legal Assistance
- National Economic Development and Law Center
Their website includes information on: Economic Analysis, Legal Services Technical Assistance, Public Policy Development, Foundation Advisors, Field Services, Demonstration Projects, Program Development, Network Building, and Resource Development.
- Chicago Artists Resource has an excellent section on legal issues as they relate to space.
- Starving Artists Law
This organization is a website based information library containing legal assistance for artists.
Other Artist Resources
- Chicago Artists Resource
Intended to assist artists with their creative and professional practice and to strengthen the community of artists in Chicago.
- Artslynx International Arts Resources
- The Artist Help Network
The Artist Help Network is a free web-based information service designed to help artists take control of their careers. The network assists artists in locating information, resources, guidance, and advice on a comprehensive range of career-related topics. The site is divided into seven general categories: Career Exhibitions, Commissions & Sales - Money - Presentation Tools - Legal - Creature Comforts - and Other Resources. Each general category unfolds into numerous sub topics offering an abundance of regional, national and international resources. Listings include publications, organizations, professionals, Web sites, audio-visual materials, and software programs.
- Creative Capital
Creative Capital, a New York City-based nonprofit organization, acts as a catalyst for the development of adventurous and imaginative ideas by supporting artists who pursue innovation in form and/or content in the performing and visual arts, film and video, and in emerging fields. They are committed to working in partnership with the artists whom they fund, providing advisory services and professional development assistance along with multi-faceted financial aid and promotional support throughout the life of each Creative Capital project. The site also offers an artist toolbox which link to other websites.
- [A-N] Web
The Artist Information Company
A-N is a key agency for supporting artists and promoting and shaping visual arts practice in the United Kingdom. The content is primarily based around visual artist practices, using artist personal narratives to illustrate practices and strategies relating to practice, career advice, business matters, key organizations, and a listing of artists works. In addition, this website links to three related sites developed by A-N:
www.workingwithartists.co.uk (information for those wanting to work with artists – consultants, communities, businesses, curators, etc.)
www.axisartists.org.uk(national database of contemporary visual artists)
- NYFA Source: New York Foundation for the Arts
NYFA has the most extensive national database of awards, services, and publication for artist of all disciplines. Artists arts organizations and the general public can access information from its website on over 3,400 arts organizations, 2,800 award programs, 3,100 service programs, and 900 publications, with more added every day. Many sites across the nation link themselves to NYFA.
- Arts Resource Network
Office of Arts and Culture, Seattle
This website is a primary example of a well-constructed regional website for all artists. The Network is a link to arts education partnerships, with a registry of artists, teachers, arts organizations and schools in the county.
