The Arts Partnership (TAP) is excited to launch its ninth season of producing the Community Supported Art (CSA) Program in the Metro. Modeled after the Community Supported Agriculture program, TAP’s CSA also operates under the goals of being local, sustainable and community-driven. The motivation: introduce arts supporters to local artists and help build audiences and purchasers for their work.
Throughout the season, up to 50 shareholders receive a total of six artworks and performances over three events held in May, July and September. To date, we have worked with 70 artists, artist groups and arts organizations, and awarded more than $90,000 for the creation of the shares of art, including art tastes by local culinary artists. More than 175 shareholders and their guests have participated in the program, many over multiple seasons.
We invite performing artists, visual artists, writers and artisans to participate in this application process. Selected artists receive a baseline stipend of $1,050 to assist with the production costs for the performance or of the take-home artwork for 35 shareholders. If more than 35 shares are sold, additionally compensation is provided to those artists and artisans producing take-home art, up to a total of 50 shares. See below for additional details. *
The stipend, of course, is only a small portion of the benefit of participating in this program. Artists will be introduced to invested shareholders plus their guests – shareholders who will spread the word about your talents. Past CSA artists have received commissions, been offered adjunct teaching positions, created solo exhibitions and been contacted for additional art solely from the CSA experience.
We are proud to have adapted a program that funds artists, arts organizations and artisans, and connects them to new audiences, excites a growing community of arts supporters and continues our mission of cultivating the arts in our community.
Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 30, 2019
Submission Instructions: Materials should be sent electronically to Tania Blanich, Director of Operations, at tania@theartpartnership.net. Actual samples of the take-home art need to be submitted in person to TAP’s offices at 1104 2nd Avenue South, Suite 315 in Fargo by the deadline.
Eligibility: Visual artists, artisans, writers/poets, and performing artists and organizations from the region. Any artist or entity that has participated in a previous CSA program must wait two CSA seasons before applying again. (For example, 2017 participants can apply for the program this year, but 2019 participants cannot apply until the 2021 season.)
* Stipend: Each selected artist or artist group receives a stipend of $1,050 for a performance or for the creation of 35 art shares. The stipend and delivery dates and arrangements will be made upon the sale of 35 shares of the CSA season. If more than 35 shares are sold, artists or artisans producing take-home art will receive a $30 stipend for each additional share up to a total of 50 shares, or up to a total of $1,500.
Guidelines and Selection Criteria
For each CSA season, the selection committee chooses the six proposed art works and art performances, ideally including a minimum of two performances. A good departure point for your proposal would be a connection, however subtle, to the theme of the CSA (think “local,” “harvest” and “bounty”). However, such a connection is not required for your proposal to be considered.
The selection committee will consider the following when reviewing applications:
Please note: the proposed work must be exclusive to this CSA program. Any additional use of the proposed share must be approved by TAP in writing for the next full year from your CSA party date.
Questions regarding the program or application process, contact Tania Blanich at tania@theartspartnership.net or at 701.237.6133.
Required Application Materials are to be submitted via e-mail to tania@theartspartnership.net.
Visual Artists, Writers and Artisans
Performing Artists/Organizations
Applications received after 5:00 p.m. on the deadline will not be considered. You do not need to be a current Primary Partner of The Arts Partnership, but if you are selected, you are asked to apply to become one.
Selected artists will be notified by Wednesday, September 4. The selection committee reserves the right to put out another call for artists if necessary.
If you are selected, we hope you will join us for the final CSA 2019 party on Thursday, September 12 where we will announce next year’s share artists. More information to follow upon acceptance.
The Arts Partnership purchased the Community Supported Art template from Springboard for the Arts in St. Paul and adapted it to best fit our community.