We are pleased to announce Assets for Artists has enrolled ten new artists residing in Portland, Maine – the first of several new partnerships outside our home state of Massachusetts. We teamed up with the innovators at Creative Portland (who secured generous support for this program from the City of Portland’s CDBG funding through HUD) to bring financial and business training and working capital matching funds to ten artist-entrepreneurs in Portland.

The eclectic group of visual, performing, and film & media artists have already participated in our financial training “bootcamp” with Esther Robinson of Arthome, and have received intensive business counseling through the Portland office of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., to support them in developing their business plans. “It was exciting to see the level of engagement by these entrepreneurs, and their interest in supporting each other through a business planning process,” said Business Counselor Sarah Guerette of Coastal Enterprises.

At the core of the Assets for Artists program is the matched savings account. Each participant will save, over the course of two years, $2,000 in a restricted bank account. Grant funds provide a 1:1 match for this money– doubling the artist’s savings and offering a powerful boost to their working capital funds. Once an artist reaches their savings goal, the $4,000 targeted investment is used to implement a business plan for their microenterprise. We’re excited to see this group of artists take their careers to the next level with a focused business plan and the savings and matching funds to execute their plan.

Scroll down to meet our Portland, Maine artists, and follow the links to check out what they create.

Shawn Brewer printmaking fastfoodprints.tumblr.com	Angela  Ferrari illustration www.byferrari.com
Christopher Giamo documentary www.fogtoothmedia.org	Adria Moynihan painting www.adriamoynihan.com
Joe Rosshirt illustration game design www.forthousestudios.com	Greta Rybus photography www.gretarybus.com
Andrew Thompson sound art	Peter Winne folk blues music tumblingbones.bandcamp.com
Kimberly Convery  drawing kimberlyconvery.com	Andy Rosen sculpture andyrosen.com

A4A participant Gabrielle Senza installs her work for the exhibition, Bridging Earth and Sky.

Take a look at these time-sensitive calls for entry:

We’re pleased to announce a summer internship opportunity with Assets for Artists! Working at MASS MoCA as a key member of a small team, the A4A  intern will be involved in all aspects of program administration and development, including artist outreach, data management, grantwriting and stewardship, content development for social media, and researching and promoting artist opportunities to our network. The intern will receive a stipend of $100/week, plus access to MASS MoCA’s fabulous summer programming.

Send resume and cover letter to Briana Halpin, or email for more information: bhalpin@massmoca.org.

Artists! Listed below are a series of upcoming deadlines for Spring/Summer in all mediums!

Looking for the right read to help you take your creative business to the next level? There are a tremendous number of books on the market aimed at helping artists become more successful entrepreneurs. With this post, Assets for Artists is launching a series of book reviews to help you find the best resources for your creative business planning. We start off with two books by western Massachusetts-based writer Kari Chapin! Grow Your Handmade Business and The Handmade Marketplace empower the reader to make practical steps towards envisioning a healthy, fulfilling business.

Grow Your Handmade Business: How to Envision, Develop and Sustain a Successful Creative Business

An ideal read for those creative schemers who want to structure their daydreams into their day jobs and need a reassuring boost. Kari Chapin’s energetic guidance lays out the foundation for building sustainable business practices in the arts. Her positive, can-do approach is tailored for real people with real passions — no incomprehensible business jargon here.  The book is filled with personal accounts and advice from a variety of creative business owners, and presents a step-by-step plan of action to help the reader strategize for his or her own business.

Drawing on the power of reflection, Chapin asks the reader to take time to write and define what ‘benchmarks’ must be reached to lay out a personal path to success. Even through these exercises, Chapin’s upbeat coaching inspires the reader to keep the goal in mind, and to stick with the planning needed to get there.

The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell your Crafts Locally, Globally and Online

Crafting on the side can be satisfying, but with Chapin’s guidance, a hobby that you love could turn into the business that you own.   Though this book is designed for crafters, Chapin’s business models and marketing advice can be applied to many types of art-making. Exploring a variety of ways to market to a consumer — whether at craft fairs, online, at events or in stores — Chapin lays out strategies that let you play by your rules.

Having an online presence is a must for modern-day crafters; blogging, online forums, podcasting, online stores and social media are marketing tools available at the click of a mouse. Chapin insists that partaking in online communities is key in connecting you (and your craft) with other like-minded craftspeople, creating a network of supporters and consumers alike.

Chapin also explains the ins and outs of participating in the craft fair scene. Whether regional or local, craft fairs are an important venue for selling products, checking out competition and networking with others.

Chapin’s powerful blend of enthusiasm and practical advice makes it possible for readers to envision the end to the 9-5 work week — and the start of an exciting future as a creative entrepreneur.