7 Things Artists and Art Lovers Need to Know About ArtsLink NB
Welcome to the Club.
Remember how fun it was to be in a club when you were a kid? Well we’re here to introduce you to the grownup version for creatives in New Brunswick. ArtsLink NB is a member-based arts service organization which aims to advance the arts in the province by connecting artists and promoting the vital role that art holds in our culture. While they may not have a cozy clubhouse in a tree, ArtsLink does offer a plethora of support for local artists that you might not know about yet. We had a wholesome chat with Jeri Knopp, Programming Director at ArtsLink NB, to break down why becoming a member of this community could be the perfect next step on your creative road ahead.
1.) ArtsLink NB is accessible to all types of art lovers.
Anyone can join ArtsLink. They offer a pay-what-you-can membership without any finicky criteria and no jury votes to get through. Even if you consider yourself more of a supporter of the arts than an actual artist yourself, you are more than welcome to become a member here. All types of practices and mediums are gladly accepted, and that includes non-visual artists too. (In fact, they are in short supply, so tell your performance art and writer friends to check them out!) It’s all about creating a thriving art community at ArtsLink, so the more creatives who sign up the better!
2.) They actively engage in advocacy work to elevate the whole artistic community.
Advocacy and research play crucial roles at ArtsLink. They have made it part of their mission to make it clear to policy-makers how valuable artists are to society and what challenges they face in New Brunswick today.
“[our goal is to] create a community culture that acknowledges arts professionals and treats them with respect”
Another aspect of this effort is research. ArtsLink works hard with researchers to learn how to best incorporate arts and culture into society, such as enhancing arts education in the K-12 system, and how to improve the lives of practicing artists in our province. They recently published The Report of the Premier’s Task Force on the Status of the Artist which is an eye opening read. You can check the whole thing out on their website right HERE.
3.) They offer a choose-your-own adventure style of programs in a variety of formats.
From submitting cover letters and CV’s to jury votes and online registration, ArtsLink has a program you will be comfortable signing up for. Here’s a taste of what they have to offer:
The Foundry
is a perfect place to start! This online learning platform offers free training for artists in a number of different areas. They’ve got courses on everything from grant writing, business skills, product photography (taught by our own Hailley Fayle!) and digitizing your practice. Best of all, for you introvert types, it all takes place in your own space online. You can sign up right HERE. (You don’t even have to talk to a human if you don’t want to!)
One 2 One
is a new program that allows artists to engage in one-on-one conversations with experts in a number of fields. Creatives can get personal support in areas such as setting up their accounting, proposal critiques, grant writing, arts writing, and more. This is a first come first serve program, so keep an eye on their social media, and newsletter so you don’t miss out. You can find all their social links below.
CATAPULT
is an intensive, 8 week program that provides training in artist entrepreneurial skills like business modelling, marketing, branding, financial planning, and more. Featuring guest speakers and one-on-one coaching, CATAPULT participants learn to commercialize their art, manage the business side of their practice, develop a professional network, and export work outside of New Brunswick. This is the most competitive program at ArtsLink and applicants are chosen by resume and CV based on how ready they are to commercialize their art practice. (Pro Tip! The ArtsLink team is happy to review your application with you ahead of time, and it’s a great way to show them how serious you are about getting into this course! ;) )
You can read all the details and view past participants at https://www.artslinkcatapult.com .
4.) They have a lending library.
ArtsLink NB members can now borrow equipment and resources for free! Cameras, lighting kits, audio recorders, and speakers can all be checked out for 2-week periods so artists can better document their work. Physical and digital books are also available to be borrowed. While the lending library is located in Saint John, ArtsLink is willing to make arrangements to distribute materials province-wide.
5.) They have an excellent online presence.
ArtsLink’s monthly newsletters feature news, job postings, calls for submissions, residency openings, and other opportunities for members to make and share their work. They are focused on offering value to their followers so you won’t get bored of them just sharing their own stuff over and over. You can sign up for their newsletter on the bottom of every page of their website.
They also make daily updates on social media about arts news in New Brunswick and beyond and they share member-generated event listings and news. You can follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
6.) It’s incredibly easy to become a member.
ArtsLink is all for removing barriers to the arts. They offer a pay-what-you-can, choose-your-own-membership application process that can all be completed online. It is a low effort investment for a lofty amount of opportunities. Visit their membership page HERE to get started.
7.) They are extremely nice people!
This has become a bit of a theme as we’ve investigated arts organizations in NB, and ArtsLink is no exception! Jeri was delightful to speak with and a very kind and approachable human. If you have any questions about ArtsLink or their programs, please feel free to reach out to her. Joining a professional arts organization can bring up all kinds of imposter syndrome and doubts for artists, but the New Brunswick arts community is full of truly kind and accessible people who are eager to meet you! If you are at all nervous about taking the next step in your art practice, joining ArtsLink NB is a great place to start!
♥
A big thank you to Jeri Knopp for talking everything ArtsLink with us!
You can reach Jeri at jeri@artslinknb.com
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