Open Arts Network Partner Profile: Southern Arts Federation
With the aim of building a better South through the arts, Southern Arts Federation (SAF) strengthens the communities it serves through connecting the arts to key state and national policies, advancing excellence in the arts, and nurturing a vibrant quality of life. SAF’s Hannah Leatherbury tells us more about the organization’s programs and outreach.
Hannah, what artist communities does Southern Arts Federation serve?
We serve individual artists, arts organizations, and arts audiences of all types — literary, visual, performance, media, folk and traditional, etc. — that are located in the Southeastern United States. These states include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
What programs and services do you provide for artists?
Our key ones are:
SouthernArtistry.org – Juried artist registry
Southern Circuit - Tour of independent filmmakers
Short Circuit – Traveling short film festival
Performing Arts Exchange – Performing arts marketplace
What is one fact about your organization that you wish was more widely known?
SAF grant programs are provided through National Endowment for the Arts pass-thru funding, which designates grants for organizations rather than individuals. However, the grants go to support artist fees, essentially getting the money back into the hands of artists.
What is your connection to Fractured Atlas, through the Open Arts Network? How do SAF members benefit?
Southern Arts Federation is involved with the Fractured Atlas Open Arts Network in such a way that the artists who have been nominated and join SouthernArtistry.org (and those who are selected for one of our film programs) are able to access Fractured Atlas’ affordable healthcare and liability insurance options, their Fractured U. online professional development courses and much more free of charge.
Have you seen an increase in demand for any of your services in particular during these tough economic times?
In 2009, we hosted our annual Folklorists in the South retreat as a 1-1/2 hour online workshop rather than a two-day gathering. While it did not provide the same level of networking and peer sharing as our normal retreat, it was a way that the folklorists in our region could learn more about trends in the field without taking funds our of their budgets. I think we can expect to see more online trainings and sessions in our future.
When and how do you know that you are succeeding in your mission?
When we can show that the South is a thriving region in the U.S. and that the arts are integral to its vitality.
Exhibit Hall, Performing Arts Exchange 2009
Do you have any conferences, workshops or meetings coming up? How can organizations and individuals benefit from attending?
2010 Performing Arts Exchange
September 29 - October 2, 2010
Pittsburgh, PA
The Performing Arts Exchange is the regional arts marketplace (east coast) for performing artists and presenting organizations. It’s four days of networking, booking, discussions, learning exchanges and live performances. You can book your upcoming seasons and learn about trends in the field.
How people can get involved with SAF?
Become a fan of our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Sign up for our e-newsletter and read about how our work is making a difference in the South. If you are an artist or an arts organization located in the South, check out the opportunities available to you at www.SouthArts.org.
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The Fractured Atlas Open Arts Network gives arts organizations the ability to provide their own members with access to many of the benefits and services that Fractured Atlas provides, including low-cost health and liability insurance, online courses, and a microgrants program that provides funding for professional development efforts.
If you are an arts organization based in the United States with 50 or more members, or if you have a defined constituency of 50+ artists who you support, you may be eligible to participate in Fractured Atlas’s Open Arts Network. Contact Adam Natale (adam.natale@fracturedatlas.org, 212-277-8023) for more information.
Tags: Fractured U., health insurance, liability insurance, Open Arts Network
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