Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Give to the MAX - Local Artist Interviews

LAI requests your support on
Give to the Max Day

Local Artist Interviews is a fiscally sponsored project of Springboard for the Arts.  Not quite a non-profit, but able to accept tax-deductible donations through out GiveMN site.  Thursday 11/15 is Give to the Max Day in Minnesota.  No doubt, this week you will be hit up to no end for your donations.  If you are reading this, consider yourself hit up.

Personally, I'm not a hard sell kinda guy.  All of the artists who are featured here donate if they are interested, but anyone who wants their interview featured is welcome to space on this site.  I have a suggested donation of $12-$24,  but really the site is free to all.

I'm proud of the fact that being featured on Local Artist Interviews is the first time most of LAI's artists have had any sort of press.  I think everyone should have an LAI profile.  Currently, there are about 170 interviews on the site.  I've got some favorites: Margaret Wall-Ramona, Liz Miller, Lance Ward, Pamela ValferJoe Aschebrock, Kara Hendershot, Jehra Patrick, and way too many more.

LAI is a great way to promote new work or a new exhibit.  Most interviews are published in conjunction with a show coming up so coming back to the site is a great way to learn about what art is happening in town.

All this self-back-patting aside, after 2+ years of interviews, there are limitations to the blog style format and opportunities yet to be realized--which is why LAI needs your support today.  Local Artist Interviews is due for a site redesign.  I've gotten quotes, I've talked to some experts, and I need to do some significant fund-raising to make these changes happen.

The first change you would see with a new Local Artist Interviews is that each artist could upload and maintain the content of their own profile.  Decided to add sculpture to your artistic skill set?  Log in and add a new section about your new work.  Want to add more artwork to your image gallery?  How about have multiple image galleries? Have a new solo show to promote?  Update your "What's Next?" section.

Which leads me to the next change--an Events Calendar. Create an event that is searchable by artist, by gallery, by date, by geographic region.  Have your exhibit history link to your events archive.  It's going to be awesome.

Are you an artist who would want to see these sorts of changes for LAI?  Are you an art fan who would appreciate a more interactive site?  Please donate today.

There are matching funds available at various times today and tomorrow.  The Knight Foundation is matching dollar for dollar from 10am-11am on Thursday, and the first $250 donated from this moment will be matched by the LAI Founder's Grant (me).

So don't wait.  If you have been an artist featured on LAI or have appreciated what you read hear, make a donation, share the link on FB and Twitter.  I thank you in advance for all of your support.

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