If you’re a woman artist feeling discouraged about this time in history, you’re not alone. There is an abundance of statistical evidence related to discrimination in the arts. On the National Museum of Women in the Arts website at https://nmwa.org/advocate/get-facts,
you’ll find staggering statistics that prove substantial inequality in the artworld.
However, you can take comfort in knowing there are a plethora of organizations, programs and individual activists who are personally committed to engaging in conversations and activities around innovation, diversity, education and encouragement for professional women in the arts.
While I was curating the recent “HERStory 2017” exhibition for Manhattan Arts International (manhattanarts.com/exhibitions), I decided to conduct extensive research about the strides being made to advance the status of women artists. I discovered many reasons to be optimistic. Here are a few resources from my new e-Book A Resource Guide For Women Artists.
Nasty Women Artists
This initiative presented a Nasty Women Exhibition at the Knockdown Center in Queens, New York, in January 2017. The completely sold out show raised more than $42,000 for Planned Parenthood. More than 30 sister shows are being launched worldwide, continuing to raise large sums of money for women’s rights and social services, while dozens more are being planned. If you are interested in joining the Nasty Women Resistance and want to organize a Nasty Women Exhibition in your city, visit nastywomenexhibition.org/other-nasty-venues for details.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
Continuing its important mission, the museum has launched a public program titled “Women, Arts, and Social Change” (nmwa.org/advocate/women-arts-and-social-change) that highlights the power of women and the arts as catalysts for change. Its “FRESH TALK” initiative is part of the program which expands the dialogue on what it means to be champions of women through the arts. It curates discussions with leading innovators from different disciplines about current cause-driven topics. You can watch live-streaming and recorded “FRESH TALK” conversations at nmwa.org/freshtalk4change
The Denver Museum
In October 2017, this museum will participate in a traveling exhibition: “Her Paris: Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism.” This groundbreaking show organized by American Federation of Arts will highlight some of the greatest women painters of the 19th century. This was an important time period when an international group of female artists triumphed over gender-based restrictions to make significant creative advancement. Learn more at denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/her-paris-women-artists-age-impressionism.
How You Can Make A Difference
Activism for women’s rights offers many opportunities to raise your voice and make a difference. You don’t have to wait for a huge event or global movement to change the course of art history.
• Help others learn and understand that inequality exists by sharing statistical facts found on the National Museum of Women in the Arts website.
• Apply to become a member of a women’s arts organization. Read articles about women arts organizations: professionalartistmag.com/meet-3-orgs-promoting-women-artists and professionalartistmag.com/lets-celebrate-womens-history-month
• Become an ACTIVE member of a women’s arts organization.
• As an art enthusiast, support women artists financially and attend their events.
• Join female artists on social media and share their posts.
• Introduce women artists to art buyers, gallery owners and other professionals.
• Share the news about women artists’ events and exhibitions.
• Subscribe to women artists’ mailing lists and newsletters.
• If there is no local women’s arts organization to join, launch your own. Even a small yet positive support group can make a big difference. Read “Increase Your Art Career Success With An Artist Support Group” at professionalartistmag.com/increase-your-art-career-success-artist-support-gr
• Share the information about this article and other resources like this with fellow artists.
This article contains excerpts from A Resource Guide For Women Artists, a 100+ page directory with information and opportunities for funding, exhibiting, advocacy and more for women artists. To learn more about it visit renee-phillips.com/downloads/a-resource-guide-for-women-artists
Renée Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach, helps artists attain their fullest potential in private consultations, coaching sessions, articles and e-Books found on www.renee-phillips.com. She is also founder/director/curator of Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS. Follow her on Twitter @reneephillipsny and join her on Facebook ReneePhillipsArtCoach.
