Artist Gets Creative with Fundraising
Cuts in funding for the Arts and almost non-existent resources for individual artists in the United States, has lead Santa Monica based artist/painter Barbara Kolo to seek alternative methods. The artist has opened an online store with Cafepress to help sponsor her invitation to the 2005 Florence Biennale (Biennale Internazionale Dell”Arte Contemporanea) this December in Italy.
Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) April 18, 2005 -- “Many artists assume there is
funding available for participating in the Florence Biennial. It is important to
clarify that specific funding for exhibition costs – including participation
fees, insurance, shipping, or travel –does not really exist in the Untied
States, with a few minor exceptions…” writes Melissa Potter, Program Officer
NYFA Source. “After reading this statement on the New York Foundation for the
Arts website, I knew I had to be creative with seeking funding for my expenses
in the Florence Biennale. I thought of selling T-shirts to raise funds, but
didn’t think I’d be able to reach enough people to make a profit until I
discovered Cafepress”, says Barbara. Cafepress is an on-line marketplace that
offers turnkey e-commerce services to the public. The public can independently
create and sell a wide variety of products including T-shirts, mugs, and bumper
stickers.
Barbara will be representing the United States along with other
invited American Artists at the Florence Biennale. The fifth edition of the
Florence Biennale will take place this year in the historical Fortezza da Brasso
from December 3-11. Over 800 painters, sculptors, performance, and graphic
artists commence for this biannual pre-holiday event. The Florence Biennale
provides musical and cultural events and exhibits up to 2500 works by artists
from over 70 different countries. This year internationally known artist Christo
and his wife Jeanne-Claude as well as American artist Richard Anuszkiewicz will
be honored with the Premio Lorenzo il Magnifico for Lifetime Achievement.
“A majority of Florence Biennale artists succeed in finding full or
partial sponsorships for their participation… Several countries pay the shares
for up to 25 artists.” says John Spikes, Director of Florence Biennale. Barbara
is determined to be one of the majorities and she realizes that her funding will
not come from the U. S. government. “ I believe that the American people are
generous and that they value the arts. Many people complain about the cuts for
art programs in schools and in their community. It’s time to change the system
and present people with new ways to support the arts and artists. My shop on
Cafepress is a good start on a grass roots level.” states Barbara.
For
additional information see:
http://www.cafepress.com/biennale
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kolohog
http://www.florencebiennale.org
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Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb230751.htm