Introduction by Kimberly Reuther:
DesignSpeak is committed to supporting local organizations and interior design. I founded it with the goal of connecting homeowners with our local resources and talented designers and I am already pleased with its success. A connection of mine recently introduced me to the owners of The Luminary Center for the Arts, Jame & Brea McAnally. I was immediately enamored of their vision for the artist community and felt it was very similar to my goals for DesignSpeak. However, they are way ahead of me! Here is one of James’ programs for local artists. I thought it would be great for our readers to learn about another way to give back to the community!
Without further ado, here’s James McAnally’s program, in his words.
The Luminary’s Patron Program is an innovative approach for individuals and organizations to support the creation of new work while establishing lasting relationships with some of the most talented emerging artists. The program puts the patron in direct relationship with the artists they are supporting, allowing them to follow the process of the work being created as well as growing a deeper understanding about the process of artmaking. Through this process, patrons come to ‘get art.’
For the same amount that one would spend on a single piece of art, an artist’s time in The Luminary’s Residency Program is subsidized, allowing an entire body of work to be created, as well as giving them access to many other resources and opportunities provided them during their residency. In addition to dedicated studio space and financial support, The Luminary’s staff mentors the artists, advocates for them in the art world, and helps the artists to advance their career through individualized professional development plans. With the Patron Program, we also connects them with much-needed relationships with collectors, interior designers, architects and more who are invested in their career on a personal and professional level.
The artists in The Luminary’s Residency Program are consistently among the most exciting emerging artists working today. Recent applicants have been drawn from 5 continents and have shown at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. However, what makes our program unique is that we intentionally work with artists in the early stages of their career, whether through our annual MFA/BFA graduate program or through the open application process targeted at emerging artists.
Research has showed that fewer than 10% of artists continue their work 10 years after school. Due to lack of support, too few opportunities and the absence of an active community, 90% of all artists are led to quit making altogether. Investing in emerging artists through opportunities such as The Luminary Patron Program ensures that artists continue pursuing their craft and lay foundations for continued growth.
How to get involved:
If you are interested in becoming a Patron, contact us at info@theluminaryarts.com to begin the process. We work with each Patron to identify what kinds of artwork would be of interest and send images of available work as they arrive. A typical residency lasts between 3 and 6 months and requires $150-$200/mo for local artists and approximately $300-$500/mo for national and international artists. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are also able to offer partial tax write-offs for in-kind and cash donations. Our Patrons ensure that great art thrives and new ideas flourish. The Patron Program allows that direct interaction that sustains dialogue and changes both the patron and the artist.
