"Set your heading or you will drift aimlessly."

Every year I try to set some realistic goals for the projects I want to tackle. AASA has always been more of passion project for me. Initiated by the need I could see all around me in the art community. This last month we lost a great asset to our community, Dianne Bayes who was the the Vice President at Discover San Angelo. Don't worry she didn't pass away, she went back home to Tyler, TX to become President of Visit Tyler. But she was instrumental in getting us the incredible designation of Visual Arts Capitol of Texas as well a list of events and accolades too long to list here. What a gift! We have that title for another nine years. We need to put it good use. But that can only happen if our art community has all the help they can get. So now I'm at an empass. How much time and energy should I dedicate to AASA and making sure it plays a role in achieving that goal? I decided to set some realistic goals for this year and get the ball rolling.
But that can only happen if our art community has all the help they can get
First and foremost the newsletter needed a revamp which included a redesign and content strategy. I wanted to make sure it was going to provide value while also not taking up space in everyone's inbox. The newsletter will go out twice month, and provide up to date information about local art events. It will also include a link to a podcast I host called "You Are Not an Artist" where I talk about art, art business, and eventually host interviews with other creators in the local area and online space. Additionally, it will have resources for artists found online such as articles and downloads that I vet personally. For now I think that will suffice and hopefully help propel the art community forward with useful information. If you'd like to subscribe please visit the landing page here!
First and foremost the newsletter needed a revamp which included a redesign and content strategy.
Next I decided AASA needed to host a regular IRL (in real life) meeting on a regular basis. In the coming days we will have a monthly date set to meet in person and help local artists get real help. From setting up a photography booth to capture high quality images of your art for you to archive and create prints from. We will have a forum for asking questions about your art business, and (hopefully) get a seasoned artist in the local area to come answer some questions for artists in attendance. At the very least I think AASA needs to become known as a useful resource and supporter of artists that are trying to build a thriving art business. The more artists we can help the more successful our community and city will become.
The more artists we can help the more successful our community and city will become.
Finally, I'd like to host a few online art shows throughout the year. I think this will be more difficult to do than expected. We have to get the ball rolling first before I can present an online show that will help artists. In some ways I think a show in person is a lot easier to pull off because there is a venue people are familiar with, a date with a start time and end time. I plan on meeting with some folks in the art community to see if this is possible before I commit to anything or make any announcements. At the very least I think San Angelo deserves a 'studio tour' just like in Austin. Again, I have to be careful with how much time and energy I have to spare. I also paint from time to time! lol.
At the very least I think San Angelo deserves a 'studio tour' just like in Austin.
I hope AASA can reach more artists and help them grow their desire to create a successful art business. A bonus would be making that happen for at least a handful of artists.