December 2009
It’s been a big year for Spacetaker! When the rest of the world was occupied with economic troubles and downsizing, we’ve expanded our programming and services to better serve the Houston arts community. Our optimism has paid off ten-fold in the form of MORE business training for working artists, MORE exposure for our city’s artists and organizations, and MORE money in the hands of the creative workforce. But it comes at a cost, and we need your support to continue this work in 2010— with a donation to Spacetaker, you can impact not just local artists, but an entire community touched by Spacetaker’s programming.
What are we about?
Economic opportunity
Spacetaker strives to make the phrase ‘starving artist’ a term of the past. Spacetaker creates more opportunities for artists to generate income—whether it’s through sales at our Winter Holiday Art Market, proceeds from our Cultured Cocktails program, partner exhibitions with local businesses, or performance fees for our special events. This year, Spacetaker has placed over $57,000 in the hands of more than 160 local artists and raised roughly $8,000 for local nonprofit arts organizations.
Continuing education
A sculptor graduates with a degree in art or a cellist finishes studies at a conservatory…and then what? Business classes are typically absent from even the best arts training. Spacetaker meets that need. From marketing workshops to QuickBooks training, we’re focused on equipping artists with the skills they need to succeed in the business of art. In 2009, Spacetaker’s Artist Resource Center (ARC) hosted 24 professional development workshops for artists and arts organizations, assisting over 1,200 individuals.
Community
Networking can sound so dirty! Instead, Spacetaker wants to be family, once artists move out of nurturing studio environments and out into the big bad world. Spacetaker facilitates artist collaboration, peer-to-peer feedback, relationships with local businesses, and connections with the community at large. Everyone is welcome at the weekly Cultured Cocktails, the monthly Artist SPEAKeasy events, and at any of our other family-oriented activities. Through its programming, Spacetaker has collaborated with over 50 Houston-area nonprofit organizations and directly impacted over 7,000 Houstonians.
Moreover, Spacetaker built a brand-new website that not only contains the Artist Registry and Culture Guide you’ve come to know, but a brand new Houston Artist Field Guide, listing artist opportunities and making it even easier for artists to get a leg-up.
Other big changes: On December 1st, Spacetaker Founder David A. Brown, who’s been in the trenches for over 8 years, stepped down and handed the reigns to Jenni Rebecca Stephenson, who has functioned as Managing Director since July 2008. (You can be sure we’re not sending him off without a big party—so save the date for Spacetaker’s 6th annual gala on March 20th.) With an energized Board of Directors and a new captain, programming, and website, we are poised for an amazing NEW year!
We’ve got big goals and a big year ahead. Thank you for your involvement, support, and encouragement!
Cheers,
Amy Tanner
President, Spacetaker Board of Directors
PS: We have fabulous partners in the business community who love it when others are nice to us—and to thank you, Spacetaker and Block 7 Wine Company will offer all $25+ donors a gift certificate for delicious flatbread with the purchase of a bottle of wine!
