What was Arts-Biz?
Arts-Biz was created and trialed in 2006 as a seARTS program to build relationships between individual artists in all disciplines who need exhibition and performance space and downtown and waterfront businesses who wanted bring art into their businesses.
How it Worked
seARTS began building a roster of artists and businesses interested in exhibition and performance opportunities. Interested artists and businesses connected with one another through the roster.
Main Street Gloucester
The roster will included business and artist descriptions, types of work interested in exhibiting, and contact information. To join the roster, businesses will have already agreed to exhibiting art for one month and co-hosting an opening reception. seARTS offered reimbursements of up to $200 for exhibition and performance costs for 16 seARTS member artists with confirmed exhibition opportunities. This was funded by CDBG.
The goals of Arts-Biz were to:
• Respond to the problem of lack of exhibition space by utilizing alternative spaces and connecting artists and businesses
• Provide career-building opportunities for member artists working in all disciplines
• Provide quality, innovative arts experiences that are part of the daily lives of Gloucester residents and visitors
• Strengthen the relationships between the arts and business communities
• Create exposure and economic opportunities for artists and business owners
