Participating as a volunteer at a nonprofit organization, teaching classes in the field, and generally giving back to the community is a good way to keep in touch with what is going on in the art world, your neighborhood, or your region.  Many organizations were founded to help artists with exhibitions, professional skills, or presentation.  If you have been supported by one of these organizations, please consider giving back by volunteering, or serving on a committee.  If you have not benefited, consider it anyway, as it helps the next generation of artists have a support system. more...

One of the best ways of making connections is networking.  This means being visible, going to events and openings, participating on panels, going to lectures and accepting visiting artist lecture gigs.  If you stay home in your studio, you are not going to meet the person who will open doors for your next show, or give you a good idea, or tell you about a public art project  opportunity. more...

The following article was originally printed in the “Our Town” section of the Chicago Reader on February 28, 2008. more...

The Arts Engagement Exchange (AEE) is a learning network for Chicago arts and cultural groups on topics related to audience engagement. Created through a partnership between the Chicago Community Trust and the Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the Wallace Foundation, the AEE works to build Chicago’s arts audiences by offering free events and audience development grants to local arts organizations. The AEE website expands the opportunities for dialogue with other organizations that wish to increase participation in the arts, reach diverse audiences, and deepen existing audiences’ participation. more...