As City leaders grapple with plans and strategies for the arts community (including the struggle with getting public sector funding for the arts on the November ballot), many Cleveland artists have already embraced entrepreneurship and opened galleries, artist co-ops, and studios on their own. The Blys feel that what these members of the creative class really need is some cohesive marketing to draw attention to their spaces and endeavors, spanning across Cleveland's downtown, near Westside, and suburbs.
An online artists' union could include message boards where artists would share ideas and post want ads, a listings page for opening receptions and events, and a printable map of where galleries, studios, and other arts-oriented businesses and institutions are located. Artists could also link to the site, or have their own page on the artists' union site.
The Blys are also interested in exploring ways to link artists to businesses and people who want to shop for and purchase work by area artists. They have discussed the idea of developing a bartering system between business people and artists, as well as among artists themselves (imagine an artist getting a certain number of hours of legal services in exchange for hanging her work in a law office for an agreed upon amount of time).
Lyz and Kristin, the originators/facilitators of this project, are interested in talking with people who would like to explore this concept and possibly join together to create a working group to make it happen. You don't need to be an artist to participate - anyone who cares about the arts in our community can participate and/or share ideas and contribute. Email Lyz or Kristin Bly at newsense@ameritech.net (:divend:)