Queens artists now have access to a package of new resources as part of a multipronged initiative led by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. and the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).
The Borough President announced in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 9, that from now through December, Queens-based artists can access free public programming and specific opportunities to bolster their careers. Programming includes one-on-one consultations for immigrant artists, public workshops to strengthen applications for open calls and courses on career building.
Individual consultations are available for artists of all disciplines and are offered in English, Spanish, French and Chinese. The 40-minute discussions are virtual and led by industry experts who will provide advice and education on how to grow arts careers in the United States.
Other programming includes public workshops on Nov. 14 and Nov. 19, centered on assisting artists in identifying and applying for exhibitions, residencies, and other open calls.
Furthermore, NYFA is offering a pair of custom courses for artists interested in advancing their art careers at their own pace. The 25-seat courses, dubbed “Mapping Your Creative Career” and “Writing About Your Work,” will provide attendees with nearly three hours of instructional videos, interactive exercises and quizzes. A community-building and Q&A session will follow each course. Acceptance into the courses is lottery-based.
Richards wrote in the statement that the diverse and dynamic arts and culture scene in Queens “deserves to be properly uplifted and supported. To the brilliant artists of all kinds who make Queens the unmatched cultural hub that it is, I encourage you to take advantage of these important resources.”
Additionally, Richards and Queens Theatre Executive Director Taryn Sacramone announced a separate arts initiative dubbed Arts.Culture.Queens, which aims to further unite Queens’ arts and culture community around common goals surrounding problem-solving, advocacy, awareness and programmatic growth.
Sacramone, Queensboro Dance Festival Founder Karesia Batan, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company Co-Founder Juan Castano, Black Spectrum Theatre Founder Carl Clay, MoMA PS1 Deputy Director Jose Ortiz and Lewis Latimer House Museum Executive Director Ran Yan will lead the program.
Arts.Culture.Queens programming will include public events, an electronic survey, and roundtables with a wide range of artists and cultural leaders through the end of the year.
The program will culminate in a written report on the arts and culture community in Queens, offering recommendations for new strategies for supporting the borough’s cultural sector.
More details about the public programming portion of Arts.Culture.Queens. will be announced in the coming weeks.
