Program gives artists roadmap to creating business plan to achieve professional goals
September 30, 2024 (Cape Cod, MA) – The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is encouraging artists on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket to apply for its Capacity-Building Program.
Applications, which are now open, can be submitted by clicking this link. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 15.
Now in its third year, the program is focuses on supporting emerging artists in taking the next steps in their careers. It does so through professional development workshops; cohort meetups to forge relationships with other creatives in the region; one-on-one coaching in the creation of a business plan to identify strategic goals and steps to achieve them; and a $1,000 capacity-building grant at the conclusion of the program.
“This is really a program that gives local artists access to the education, tools, skills, resources, and connections they need to grow and thrive here on Cape Cod,” said Arts Foundation Executive Director Julie Wake. “We understand the important role artists play in making the Cape a more vibrant community. Through the Capacity-Building Program, we’re committed to ensuring they can remain a part of our creative community and continue to contribute to this special place we call home through their art.”
This is the third year the Arts Foundation has selected a cohort of artists for the program, which was launched thanks to seed funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the state of Massachusetts as well as from the Cape Cod Foundation.
In 2023, 12 artists went through the inaugural program. Another 15 graduated from it this year.
Artists for the next cohort will be announced in December with the program launching at the beginning of next year. It will conclude with a graduation in April 2025. One of the goals of the program is to encourage artists to think holistically about their art with a focus on the business side of their practice.
Along with support in crafting a business plan, artists will have priority access to a series of skill-building workshops that include Writing a Press Release led by the Arts Foundation’s Director of Grants and Communications Chris Kazarian of East Falmouth; Taxes for Artists led by artist Hannah Cole, owner of Sunlight Tax in Asheville, North Carolina; Writing and Talking About Your Art led by visual artist, writer, and teacher Pete Hocking of Provincetown; and more.
Since launching the program in 2023, participants have taken classes covering a range of topics, from artist licensing to writing grant proposals to making plans to achieve long-term sustainability.
“It was so important for me to be a part of this cohort,” Karla DeStefano, a self-taught multimedia artist from Marstons Mills, who participated in the program earlier this year. “Through this program, the Arts Foundation saw me for who I am as an artist, and I think that is really important.”
Additional support for the Capacity-Building Program comes from William Raveis Real Estate, Cape Cod 5 Foundation, the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, the Donald C. McGraw Foundation, Eastern Bank, John K. & Thirza F. Davenport Foundation, South Shore Playhouse Associates, and Wequassett Resort & Golf Club.