Career & Business
Making A Difference As An Artist
By Renée Phillips
Portions of this article contain excerpts from Renée's book Success Now! For Artists
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Renée Phillips is the Director of Manhattan Arts International, an author of several books and a public speaker. She is known as "The Artrepreneur Coach" and provides empowering life and career strategies for creative individuals. |
Booker T. Washington said, "If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." |
To bring positive change to someone’s life and to be productive in our society, one must make time for meaningful pursuits – to help heal the world in the damaged places. Small contributions given with the right spirit have great value.
I recently discovered resellers on amazon.com offering my book Presentation Power Tools For Fine Artists for $145.47. The huge markup surprised me since we are selling the book from our website for only $28.95. But, then I noticed one of the resellers is Goodwill, a non-profit organization.
The description stated: "All funds raised are used to support the Goodwill which provides quality, effective employment training and basic education to individuals experiencing significant barriers to economic opportunity. Because Jobs Change Lives."
Hmmm, little did I know when I wrote this book the potential it contained. I began to wonder how many other ways I could make a difference.
THE PAJAMA PROGRAM
 That same day I learned about the Pajama Program, started by Genevieve Piturro, which "Provides new pajamas and new books to needy children, many of whom are waiting and hoping to be adopted. Many of these youngsters have been abused or abandoned and in many cases, have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a loving mother or father tuck them in at bedtime."
This Program has given away more than 85,000 pairs of pajamas and 70,000 books. And, their work is far from done. There are thousands more children in need.
Eleanora Duse said, "When we grow old, there can only be one regret – not to have given enough of ourselves." |
You may want to offer a percentage of the proceeds from your art sales to the Pajama Program or other causes.
Increasingly artists are finding opportunities to be generous. They not only gain satisfaction by helping others, they also create a positive self-image. They follow their heart, passion and concerns, and are led to special interest groups that share their interests.
The options are endless – environment, politics, anti-censorship, health care, seniors, Pro-life vs Pro-choice, anti-drugs – to name a few. Volunteer to help in hospitals, libraries, museums, the city council, variety club, United Way, animal protection groups, political clubs, neighborhood improvement groups, girl scouts and religious and cultural groups.
You can find leads by using social media and the Internet, through the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, small business clubs, breakfast clubs, business associations and your neighborhood improvement groups.
Examples of Artists Making A Difference
Nadia is a wildlife artist who contributes her images to many regional and national organizations, whose aims are to help save our planet, and raise public awareness.
Jim, a sculptor, offered a special fund-raising exhibition to an organization for the blind. It was a rewarding experience for him to share his art that the blind could see with their hands!
Boris created the poster for a high profile celebrity AIDS auction, which they sold as a limited edition print. In addition to the recognition he received, he immediately added a number of celebrities to his list of collectors!
Carlos contributes his time and talent to a children’s hospital in Kentucky. His drawings have been reproduced on note cards and posters that have helped to raise funds for the clinic. The exposure he has received has led to exhibitions and sales.
Jill Flynne is Founder and President of NEAFA, http://neartsforanimals.org/ "A synergistic group of people who help fund therapy, companion, and service animals (both domestic and wildlife), the people who need them, and the programs that train, place, and support them." Jill states, "Through sales of NEAFA artists works we help support therapy, service and companion animals of all kinds, the people who need them and the programs that support them. Membership is open to anyone who supports our mission, as well as people in all of the creative arts, and animal lovers. |
I am a firm believer that as a creative person I have been blessed with innate talents in order to serve a higher mission. I started volunteering many years ago when I gave free drawing lessons to children at the local library, organized art fund-raising events for the Chamber of Commerce, and conducted creative discussion groups with patients at a psychiatric hospital.
Those formative years helped me to develop confidence, experience and personal satisfaction. It helped me to understand my strengths and my position in the world.
Do you believe your creative talent is an instrument for positive change?
That your creative abilities are gifts that you have been given to accomplish a greater mission in life?
Are you a person who enjoys helping others, sharing your information, resources and contacts and do it purposefully and daily, searching for opportunities to express your compassion for others?
Do you have a desire to increase your network with others who share my vision for serving humanity through your art? If so, I'm sure through the Law of Attraction our paths will cross.
Join Artists Fellowship and Help Artists
The Artists' Fellowship, Inc. is a private, charitable foundation that assists professional fine artists (painters, graphic artists, sculptors) and their families in times of emergency, disability, or bereavement. The Artists' Fellowship's Board of Trustees and Officers all serve as volunteers in service to our community of artists.
Assistance is given without expectation of repayment. One does not need to be a Member of the Fellowship to receive assistance; neither does membership in the Artists' Fellowship entitle one to assistance from the foundation.
The Artists' Fellowship, Inc. has absolutely no affiliation with city, state, or federal programs that provide "Artist Fellowships," neither are we affiliated with other foundations that provide "Artist Fellowships."
Brief History
In 1859, a group of compassionate artists and business leaders gathered to help working artists and their families in cases of emergency and financial need. Originally formed as the "Helpful Society," the group organized formally as the "Artists' Mutual Aid Society, and in 1925 changed its name to Artists' Fellowship, Inc. Through the conservative management of bequests and donations received, the Artists' Fellowship has steadily expanded its ability to help professional fine artists in times of emergency.
I am a proud member and encourage you to join!
Visit Artists Fellowship for Membership information and forms. http://www.artistsfellowship.org |
Renee is known as The Artrepreneur Coach, helping artists design strategies to excel in their careers. Her advice for artists are immediately effective in producing publicity and profit. Learn more.
Read more articles by Renée Phillips.
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"ART WITH A HEART"
Helps City Harvest |
"Art With Heart" was an exhibition of paintings, sculpture, photography, limited edition prints and wearable art and fundraising benefit featuring work of art at the studio of Nadiya Jinnah.
The purpose of "Art With Heart" was to raise funds for City Harvest www.cityharvest.org which helps to feed over 260,000 New Yorkers in need each week.
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| Christian Le Gars explains how he creates his limited edition prints. |
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| Diane Leon explains the inspiration behind her paintings. |
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| Nadiya Jinnah discusses her intricate process of her "Lifescapes" to guests. |
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| Sharon Goldberg shares her creative vision and process behind her prints. |
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Diane Leon, one of the exhibiting artists in "Art With A Heart" is shown here with her paintings. She is wearing "Power Raku" by Renee Phillips which she purchased at the event. Diane was racted to the warm and expressive colors of the piece, the same colors that she uses in her paintings. |
City Harvest also "Addresses hunger's underlying causes by supporting affordable access to nutritious food in low-income communities, educating individuals, families, and communities in the prevention of diet-related diseases, channeling a greater amount of local farm food into high-need areas, and enhancing the ability of our agency partners to feed hungry men, women, and children." |
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