Mark Fraire, director of Dane Arts, introduced quick, easily accessible grants for practicing artists. He called the program DANG! (Dane Arts Need Grant). Within two days, the funds — $15,000 worth, in maximum increments of $250 — were gone.
We love that Dane County and Dane Arts provided grants to artists whose work is so badly needed right now. The grants were not big and they went fast. But 60 artists across disciplines got a little something to help them get through this.
Dane Arts Mural Arts, a provider of public arts education through mural-making, will be hosting a virtual gallery and fundraiser event in an effort to continue their community-driven mission.
https://www.channel3000.com/local-art-organization-to-hold-virtual-gallery-and-fundraising-event/
For the past five years, Dane Arts has provided a platform for Dane County visual artists and the greater business community to come together and build partnerships across arenas through its annual Dane Arts Buy Local (DABL) Market. This year, during these challenging times, DABL will turn its focus to helping artists build their art businesses.
Corporations may or may not be people, but they can certainly be patrons of the arts.
Getting them to see that is the primary goal of an art market, Dane Arts Buy Local (DABL), now in its fifth year. The next event takes place Oct. 18-19 at Yahara Bay Distillers in Verona.
The market was created as a business-to-business event, but it is open to the public. More than 400 people attended last year. The event also includes workshops for artists, focusing on marketing.
“I’m trying to show how art is impacting in every arena, and visual arts particularly in the business arena,” says Mark Fraire, director of Dane Arts, the county’s cultural affairs commission.
Dane Arts Buy Local was created after Fraire met with curators at Epic Systems Corp., well-known for its extensive art collection. The Verona-based healthcare information technology company annually makes large purchases at Madison’s art fairs, on and off the Square.
“I’m excited because I don’t have as many business-to-business connections as I would like, and that is what this event is all about,” says woodcut artist Sara Meredith, who will be exhibiting at the DABL market for her first time. She’s previously taken many of the accompanying classes. She says the classes helped her learn what artists need to do to thrive as small business owners. Classes this year include Demystifying the Grant Writing process, “Artpreneurs” Selling Business to Business, and Business Planning for Artists.
In addition to Epic, Fraire notes that Promega Corp., a global biotechnical manufacturer based in Fitchburg, hosts regular exhibits and purchases artworks.