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Reflections from Expo Chicago

Working a hospitality gig at an art fair paid me much more than writing an article about it.

A few collaged images include a yellow camera, ballet slipper, and money bag
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Chicago-based collage artist

This artist accumulated $100,000 in debt pursuing an MFA and a BA, and he's actively putting off repayment for as long as possible.

A woman with dark hair in a pink sweater hangs purple fabric over over a wooden frame.
newsletters

Sharing some new work

A behind the scenes look at the Artist Pay Project installation.

Colorful image with blue background and different images including yellow camera, pink ballet slipper and brown money ba
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Chicago-based zine press operator and photographer

This artist is currently uninsured and has $2,000 in savings which they jokingly refer to as "root canal money."

I'm wearing a butterfly shirt with layered necklaces, smiling as I stand in front of a purple backdrop.
newsletters Featured

$napshots from the installation

I’m wrapping up 2024 with a bang, the debut of Making It: $napshots from the Artist Pay Project, which opened last month at the University of Michigan.

Resource roundup: Your guide to fair pay in the arts
artist-pay-project Featured

Resource roundup: Your guide to fair pay in the arts

How organizations and policy reforms are paving the way for pay equity in the arts across the U.S.

Making It: Snapshots from the Artist Pay Project over a purple background with decorational scribbles.
newsletters

Artist Pay Project, the installation

I've been creating an immersive version of my reporting on artist pay.

A dancer in black balances on his head during a performance as a crowd watches and claps
newsletters

A radical approach to arts giving

DanceChance offers choreographers the opportunity to win $4,500 via random draw. It’s part of a movement to democratize arts funding.

3 dancers wearing blue shirts perform for an audience. Their arms are outstretched and they're in line.
artist-pay-project Featured

How Chicago’s DanceChance is reimagining the artist grant

DanceChance offers choreographers the opportunity to win $4,500 via random draw. It’s part of a movement to democratize arts funding.

An overhead photo of 6 adults and children working on a painting together
newsletters

A living wage program for artists offering stability and support

Sharing a new article about Artists at Work and a podcast episode I was recently featured in.

A close up image of a woman wearing glasses and a white jacket, holding two flash cards outside
artist-pay-project Featured

The WPA-inspired, living wage program for artists offering much needed stability and support

Artists at Work is a workforce resilience program that has provided a salary and benefits to dozens of artists across the U.S. It’s part of a burgeoning movement to value and pay artists fairly.

A conversation with the choreographer of a show I’m performing in
newsletters

A conversation with the choreographer of a show I’m performing in

After rehearsal, Stefany Cotton talked to me about the evolution of the Rooted Space and the realities of running a small dance company in Chicago.

A group of six dancers dressed in 1950s attire dramatically pose for a photo on stage.
artist-interviews

A Chicago dance company dedicated to community and collaboration

I talk to choreographer Stefany Cotton about the evolution of the Rooted Space and the needs of dance artists in the city.

A woman with short gray hair and silver hoop earrings smiles. She's wearing a pink sweater

In Omaha, an art space empowering local artists and fighting segregation

Sharing a story from guest writer Jonathan Orozco, a journalist and artist based in Omaha about the Union for Contemporary Art, an organization that has become a staple in the city’s small art scene.

A colorful, collaged image of mostly pinks and greens with animated characters
artist-interviews Featured

How an Omaha art space is shaping the future of the city's scene

Brigitte McQueen launched the Union for Contemporary Art in 2011. Over 13 years, it's become an inclusive and welcoming space for local artists, and has left a lasting impact on Omaha.

newsletters

Patrisse Cullors is building an art movement focused on healing

We chat about ongoing projects, the arts economy, the role of artists in social movements.

Image of Patrisse, wearing a yellow dress and black Defund Police jacket. She is in front of a swirl background
artist-interviews

Patrisse Cullors is building an art movement focused on healing

Watch our full interview with the Black Lives Matter co-founder on YouTube.

newsletters

A brief 2023 reflection

Thanks for following along this journey with me. 2023 was a year of experimentation.

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