Advocating for Artists in Their Communities with Louise Martorano (#118)

You are not alone.


It may seem like you are at times because you do so much work by
yourself in the studio, but the art ecosystem is enormous and you
are not alone. There are so many good people who are advocating
on behalf of and supporting artists in their businesses and
careers. I want you to know about these resources so that you can
tap into them. They’re waiting for you.


In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m talking with Louise
Martorano, the Executive Director at RedLine Contemporary Art
Center in Denver, Colorado. RedLine is a nonprofit whose mission
is to foster “education and engagement between artists and
communities to create positive social change.” In many ways,
RedLine behaves like a traditional arts council. But they’re far
from it. Louise and I discuss their artist-in-residence program,
affordable studio space, and how they collaborate with other art
organizations in the U.S. and beyond.


 


Highlights




The history and mission of RedLine Contemporary Art Center.
(1:45)




The local and global need for artist career support. (7:46)




Visual arts coalitions fill in the gaps of an artist’s
career. (11:23)




The staff, budget, and $22 million re-granting programs at
RedLine. (19:15)




Details on residencies, applications, and juried interviews.
(25:18)




Open studio doors increase opportunities for artists. (32:03)




Commission opportunities, stipends, and other program
benefits. (33:58)




How to find artist support programs in your community.
(37:19)




Group meetings and other expectations of artist residents.
(41:01)




Auditing relationships and leveraging your community. (45:45)




 


Mentioned




RedLine Contemporary Art




Redline Art on Instagram




Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition




Kansas City Artists Coalition




Chicago Artists Coalition




 


Resources




Show notes, images, and listener comments




How to Price Your Art free report




Art Biz Connection artist membership




First posted: artbizsuccess.com/advocate-martorano-podcast


 


Quotes


 




“Artists are really expected to be all the departments in
their career.” — Louise Martorano




“Artists’ careers can live and die on the relationships they
build and the opportunities they have.” — Louise Martorano




“We’re trying to link arms with each other in Colorado to see
if we can create a more seamless journey for artists as they
gain traction and opportunity in their careers.” — Louise
Martorano




“Talking about your work is like exercising a muscle. The
more you do it, the more refined your language is.” — Louise
Martorano




“Artists need to reevaluate who they know and who they’re
connected to and see how they can use those arteries of
opportunity.” — Louise Martorano




 


Guest Bio


Louise Martorano is the Executive Director of RedLine, a
non-profit contemporary art center and residency located in
Denver, Colorado. RedLine's mission is to foster education and
engagement between artists and communities to create positive
social change. Under Martorano’s leadership, RedLine has received
the Denver Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (2014 and
2015), the Greenway Foundation’s “Partner in Change” award,
acknowledged by Denver Public Schools for excellence in community
engagement, and has presented and organized over 100 exhibitions
over the past 10 years.


 


Martorano holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder,
and an M.H. from the University of Colorado, Denver with a focus
in Contemporary Art History & Music. In 2017, she was awarded
a Livingston Fellowship from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation for
promising nonprofit leaders who hold significant leadership roles
in Colorado.