The Artisans Initiative

The Artisans Initiative, a program designed to provide earned income opportunities and training to Bronx artisans as well as underrepresented artisans of the Diaspora is in it’s fourth year. It is our goal to cultivate a viable cultural and economic asset within our communities by providing these artists with marketing and valuable small business training. We will create a marketplace to sell their original products, and encourage entrepreneurial activities by this special group of craftspeople. We believe that artisans are ARTISTS and should be respected as such.

Folk Art & Artisans: We define these works of art as originating among the common people of a given nation or region and such work reflects the traditional culture of that area. These can be 'everyday' or seasonal festival items produced by unschooled artists. Artisans and folk artists are people that create works such as handmade jewelry, leather goods, pottery, textiles, and clothing to name a few.

Target Group: Our main focus is Bronx artists creating work in hand crafted contemporary and traditional art including immigrant and/or refugee communities residing in the Bronx and the artists that use their art to perpetuate and preserve cultural practices. We strive to encourage the use of one's culture as an asset and a tool for community empowerment. We believe technical support, loan and grant opportunities, marketing via traditional means as well as e-commerce, can help improve the quality of life for all involved.

Schedule: We will tailor our services to match your needs, with pre-and post Marketplace Marketing workshops throughout the year. A bi-monthly meeting and once a month selling venue opportunities, earned income is an important aspect of the program.

Career Development: Participants will be offered small business management counseling and pre-marketplace marketing workshops to ensure merchant productivity. BCADC coordinates community based services and functions as market developers to assist participants in launching independent careers as entrepreneurs.

Participate in gallery exhibitions. In the past artisans were vital parts of their community. Each artisan became part of the cultural landscape and community that he/she served - a reflection of the community’s values, beliefs and industry. By providing an opportunity for local artisans to exhibit their work, we express the project’s intent and purpose by introducing the work of these local artisans to the public.

The bronxArtworks™ brand serves to illuminate the cultural richness of the Bronx, showcasing craft created by immigrant artisans living and working in the Bronx, is helping to build a following through more public exposure and presence in the marketplace. The bronxArtworks™ label has accompanied the work of artisans selling on consignment at the Bronx Museum of Arts gift shop and by artisans vending at the Bronx Food and Art Festival as well as at Culturefest the city’s annual cultural celebration. The essential factor in the brand will be the differentiation from other competitors in the market. Become part of an up and coming brand (artists retain their name on all works).

The Artisans Initiative has sponsored an Art as Awards program, providing commissioned craft/artwork for presentation to honored recipients, an alternative to plaques & statues. This effort has generated earned income and higher visibility to the efforts of the program. For example the Citizens Advice Bureau presently offers Art as Awards for their annual Living Legend Award recipients.

Criteria:To be considered for the program, candidates must be an immigrant or descendant of immigrants/ refugees; create original works/contemporary crafts that he/she is willing to sell; be willing to participate in or be represented at marketplace events; be able to produce enough products to sell; participate in pre-marketplace workshops.

Upcoming events will be posted.

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