Pittsburgh Artist Registry

Resources for Artists

LOCAL RESOURCES:

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council offers the following services:

BUSINESS SKILLS FOR ARTISTS SERIES (BsFA): Introduced in fall 2006 with sessions on contract law and copyright issues, this workshop series aims to meet the needs of individual artists in the Pittsburgh region.  Past workshops have included: Intellectual Property: Pitfalls and Protections, Art as a Business: Contracts and Other Legal Issues, How to BE an Artist: Real-World Strategies.  Visit http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/businessskills.htm for information on the next workshop.

ARTS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP SERIES: The Arts Management 101 Series is designed for those interested in learning the basics of Budgeting, Fundraising, Board Development and Marketing in the arts. The series of 4 workshops repeats annually and is perfect for administrators and boards of small organizations, or new staff of mid-sized organizations. Taught by local presenters, each workshop lasts approximately 3 hours. Additionally, quarterly sessions are offered on Starting a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization.  Visit http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/artsmanageseries.htm for information on the next workshop.

BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ARTS ®: Helps nonprofit arts organizations improve their business practices; Provides rewarding opportunities for business professionals who enjoy involvement with the arts and wish to support the vitality of Pittsburgh's arts scene through volunteer service; Promotes cooperation, understanding and communication between the arts and business; Increases business leadership on behalf of the arts. Visit http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/bva.htm for more details. 

VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS (VLA): Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) provides pro bono assistance to low-income artists and smaller arts organizations for arts-related legal needs. The program is affiliated with the Allegheny County Bar Association through the Pro Bono Center of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation, which oversees a network of local providers of pro bono legal assistance.  Eligibility: Arts organizations with administrative budgets of $100,00 per year or less.  Individual artists with incomes of $25,000 per year or less (or household income of $30,000 per year or less).  Visit http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/vla.htm for more details.

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES LISTSERV: The Artist Opportunities Listserv is a monthly email listing national calls for public art opportunities; local, regional, and national calls for visual and performing artists; and professional development opportunities available throught the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.  Visit http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/public_art_listserv.htm for more information and to subscribe to the listserv.

PUBLIC ART RESOURCES:

PUBLIC ART NETWORK: The Public Art Network (PAN) is a service program of Americans for the Arts that serves public art professionals, artists, and communities seeking to develop public art initiatives. They host the only national, annual conference for public art, develop public art tools and resources, and provide an excellent listserv to their members. Their website is filled with public art information and resources. Visit www.americansforthearts.org/PAN for more details.

PUBLIC ART BY THE BOOK: Looking for a general overview of how public art projects and programs work? Public Art By The Book is what you have been seeking. Edited by Barbara Goldstein, this 2005 publication contains chapters on master planning, artist contracts, conservation, education, copyright, the Visual Artist’s Rights Act of 1990 (VARA) and more. You can get a copy from the Americans for the Arts bookstore.

PUBLIC ART REVIEW: This journal is the only magazine in the United States dedicated to public art. Recent issues have focused on public art and transportation, conservation, and public art education programs. To learn more, visit: www.publicartreview.org

PUBLIC ART PROGRAM DIRECTORY: There are over 350 public art programs in the United States. This directory provides contact information, program details, and artist opportunity information for all of them. A great resource! Published by Americans for the Arts, and available in their bookstore.

Artist Selection:

The Public Art Network of Americans for the Arts has developed two great resources related to artist selection. They are both available for free on their website.

Call for Artist Resource Guide

Methods of Artist Selection Issue Paper

Artist Contracts:

In addition to the chapter in Public Art By The Book (see above), the Public Art Network of Americans for the Arts has produced an annotated public art contract. There are two examples, one for government programs and one for private developments. The document is not a model, but a tool to understanding the complex issues involved in public art, and gives great examples of contract language. Download a copy from their website.

Artist Opportunities:

Are you an artist seeking to learn about public art opportunities across the United States? Here is a list of reliable opportunity postings.

- Public Art Network Listserv
- Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
- Public Art Review
- 4 Culture
- Artist Opportunities Listserv

Visual artist may also want to invest a copy of the Public Art Program Directory (see above). It lists artist opportunity and slide registry information for 350 public art programs in the United States.