Artserve Michigan Seeking Artists For Launch of New Program Supporting Local Talent

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Created on Monday, 09 January 2012 00:00

WIXOM, Mich. – ArtServe Michigan, Michigan's leading statewide arts and cultural advocacy organization, is calling for artists to participate in its inaugural Community Supported Art (CSA) program.

The Community Supported Art (CSA) program is modeled after Community Supported Agriculture programs where consumers were able to purchase shares of seasonal food directly from local farmers.

Nine artists will be selected by a jury drawn from the area's food and art community for this "growing season" to create 50 artworks or "shares," produced with a $1,000 stipend from the program. Consumers will be able to purchase a "share" for $350 for the season and receive 3 "farm boxes" of locally produced artwork once per month in the April through June 2012 timeframe.

"Through the CSA program we are seeking to support artists in the creation of new work and build an engaged community of local arts supporters who can discover new artists from multiple disciplines," said Cezanne Charles, director of creative industries for ArtServe. "We're creating a win-win situation to bolster the creative talent in our community, and we look forward to doing the same in other regions across the state later this year and next."

Featured works contained within the shares could include such items as: a limited edition vinyl 7-inch record, a series of small tea cups, ceramic vessels, a run of photographs, letterpress editions of a poem or short story, tickets to an upcoming performance or event, a run of screen-prints or even 50 small original paintings.

Artists from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties are eligible. Collaborations between artists or work by collectives also are permitted. Applications, application guidelines and shareholder information are available at csa.artservemichigan.org. The deadline for application is February 3, 2012. Artists will be notified in mid-February. Shares go on sale March 5, and the first pick-up event will be in late April 2012.

This local project is modeled on the successful CSA program in Minneapolis/St. Paul – created by mnartists.org and Springboard for the Arts and supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. ArtServe Michigan will be looking for partners in Grand Rapids, Lansing/East Lansing, Marquette, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, Flint and Traverse City/Petoskey for seasons later in 2012 and in 2013.

ArtServe Michigan is a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to cultivating the creative potential of Michigan's arts and cultural sector to enhance the public health and well-being of Michigan, its people and communities. ArtServe advocates for arts, culture and arts education in Michigan; provides leadership and professional development for arts and cultural organizations and artists; and connects arts and cultural leaders and supporters through strategic communications. Contact ArtServe Michigan at 248-912-0760 or visit ArtServeMichigan.org.

Contact: Kristin Priest
(248) 254-6788
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