The Art Community: Raising the bar and offering more

Many galleries and museums are recognizing that they need to be more than simply holdings for fine art.  While I don't have a problem with the fact that these fine institutions may center around only beautiful objects, I am starting to see a trend toward extended customer service and community.  Maybe this has always been so, a brotherhood of artists or arts so to speak... but in talking with and observing several organizations it has been made clear to me that they see the "need" to reach out to others in a community minded fashion like never before.

Tammi Flynn of the Florence Griswold Museum says "We have become much  more service oriented.  On our website you'll find we list other galleries and regional attractions which we list for visitors coming to the area."  In turn, these other brothers link back to Florence Griswold.  It's a great networking handshake and it provides a service valuable to museum guests and to the other arts in the area. But it's not just arts... museums and galleries also list restaurants, inns, hotels, shopping districts, scholarships, competitions and more.

Online galleries and museums are also taking this lead.  MyArtSpace is one such online venue for contemporary art which is wholeheartedly embracing community spirit.  "We are trying hard to change the way that art sites are viewed. We want to raise the bar, so to speak," says Brian Sherwin, Senior Editor for the artist social network.  This means doing more than simply displaying art for sale.

MyArtSpace Scholarships:

MyArtSpace has created a scholarship program for students of artistic merit wishing to continue their education in an approved MFA, BFA or other higher level degree program (BA or BS in Art) for the arts. The scholarship is intended for students who exhibit exceptional artistic excellence. All mediums are accepted. Including, photography and video, both contemporary and traditional in nature. The scholarship arises from the commitment to supporting artists who are committed to their skill and development as an artist.

For two years myartspace has been a key figure in availing opportunity in the arts on the web and in global events. Myartspace is providing three scholarship prizes for undergraduate students and separately three scholarship prizes for graduate students. Creating an account on myartspace is free. Entering the scholarship competition is free.

The deadline for registration and online submission of work is November 21, 2008. You must upload your JPEGS/videos into a myartspace online gallery. A gallery with up to 20 images can be submitted for consideration. Scholarship winners will be announced on December 19, 2008.

First Prize:
$5000 for undergraduate student
$5000 for graduate student

Second Prize:
$2000 for undergraduate student
$2000 for graduate student

Third Prize:
$1000 for undergraduate student
$1000 for graduate student

For more information: www.myartspace.com/scholarships

MyArtSpace Miami Basel

MyArtSpace has also launched a joint competition with the Bridge Art Fair. Finalists in the Art Basel Miami competition will display their art at the Bridge Art Fair art Art Basel in Miami this December. The Jury panel for the competition includes Elisabeth Sussman from the Whitney Museum, Janet Bishop from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), JoAnne Northrup from the San Jose Museum of Art, and Michael Workman the founder of the Bridge Art Fair.

Bridge Art Fair currently presents a combined total of nearly 300 galleries and over 2,000 artists at four expositions throughout the year. Since the premier of Bridge Miami Beach in 2006, total sales of nearly $30 million and more than 100,000 visitors have confirmed Bridge as a leading voice in a newly globalized art marketplace.

- Deadline for registration and submission is November 15, 2008.
- Competition is open to myartspace members. Membership is free.
- Registration fee is $50, but for early registration by October 15, 2008 the fee is $25

For more information visit-- www.myartspace.com/miamibasel/

Comments

[Mark Randall Kilburn]

I find it interesting that galleries are now competing with the local Rotary club,
Chambers of Commerce and other firmly entrenched institutions.
Maybe the Elks club could start selling art.
I can see it now, "The First Annual Shriners Benefit Juried Exhibition and Handshake Competition"
1st Prize-A well used Vespa Scooter
2nd Prize-A well used Vespa Scooter
3rd Prize-A well used 33rd Degree Mason's Cap-Guaranteed to be authentic.

So, is this market driven or are the galleries just expanding on their own because they have way too much time between big-ticket sales?

OR is art really making its way into the national collective mind-set and this is just a natural progression?

[Lisa]

Mark, First let me say "welcome back." I always enjoy your comments. I can not however answer your question... perhaps someone from our reading audience can help. L.