BiB Alumni News                                       4.20.16
Dear ,

From the sunny weather in the last week we know that spring has sprung, and I hope all your creative juices are flowing like the sap in the trees! Springtime also means that it's time for the second quarterly in-person network meeting. Keep your eyes open on the BiB Alumni Network Facebook page for announcements about the location, date, and time of the next meeting.  

Kind regards,
  
Artist and Community Programs Manager 
smutrux@vermontartscouncil.org
802.828.5425
Fund Your Creativity!
Crowdfunding, the practice of funding a project by raising small amounts of money from many donors online, has gained popularity as a way for artists to fund projects. More than 10% of the films at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival were supported by Kickstarter campaigns.

We hear stories about the super-successful campaigns that raise millions, but even if you're not lucky enough to go viral and raise a million dollars, crowdfunding can still apply to you. For example, Indiegogo launched in 2008 with the goal of democratizing fundraising. This means that anyone with a dream has a shot at funding it.

In 2014, Elizabeth Weiss of "The New Yorker" asked  Can Crowdfunding Replace Artists' Day Jobs? Although she does not recommend that artists quit their primary money-earning venture and start raising money online, she does note that "In 2013, supporters gave four hundred and eighty million dollars to projects on Kickstarter alone - about three and a half times the N.E.A.'s budget for 2013, after sequestration."

Are you considering trying a crowdfunding campaign but don't know where to start? CauseVox, a platform for nonprofits working for the public good, has a vast learning center of resources about creating and managing successful campaigns. Although this site is designed for nonprofits, individuals can learn a lot about crowdfunding that will help them with their own campaign. This CauseVox start-up guide is a great place to start.
BiB Alumni Spotlight: Jeanne Thurston
Northeast Kingdom artist Jeanne Thurston is excited to announce her first solo show of her three dimensional color field art. Thurston's paintings recreate the joy of colors she has discovered in so many places, from curving red Southwest sandstones to bright green transmission fluid on a mechanic's floor. The exhibit is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Waterbury Congregational Church through May 1.
Featured Artist Opportunity: New Grant from BCA
Burlington City Arts announces a new grant program for Burlington-based artists. Applications for projects that contribute to the public good are due April 29. 2016. Read more and apply online.
 
Breaking into Business | Vermont Arts Council| 802.828.3291 | info@VermontArtsCouncil.org www.VermontArtsCouncil.org
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