EMERGING ARTIST PARTNERSHIP

PARTNER. CREATE. THRIVE.

Each year, Small But Mighty Arts partners with a local organization or program and connects artists in our network to an opportunity presented by our partner. These opportunities provide artists with payment, stipend or a grant and the opportunity to present and/or sell their work to new local audiences. Many of the opportunities we present to artists have the potential to lead to further opportunity and engagement to further advance their creative and professional goals. See below to read about program details 2013 – 2016:

2016 PARTNERSHIP – PHILADELPHIA UNITY CUP ART BANNER PROJECT

From August 2016 – November 2016, SBMA partnered with Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, City of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation on the Philadelphia Unity Cup Banner Art Project as part of the Philadelphia International Unity Cup Soccer Tournament. SBMA worked with partners to select, manage and fund selected artists. Seven talented artists collectively designed thirty-two (32) team banners in collaboration with participating players of the soccer tournament as well as members of the teams’ respective communities that culminated in a “Parade of Nations” on the field of Citizens Bank Park in November.
Watch video of the teams parading with the artists’ designed banners here!
You can see the banners now on display in City Hall!

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2015 PARTNERSHIP – THE ENTERPRISE CENTER: 52ND STREET METER PAINTING PROJECT

52ND STREET METER PAINTING PROJECT – SBMA partnered with The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation (TEC-CDC) for their “Meter Murals” project, identifying local artists to turn old, rusty parking meters into coordinated artwork on the corridor. SBMA helped to promote the project and selected experienced and talented creators to artistically paint parking meters on the 52nd Street commercial corridor. This proposed project, was funded by Philadelphia LISC, as part of TEC-CDC’s ongoing efforts to enliven the public realm and build community along a revitalized 52nd Street and serves as a creative solution to address blight in the form of aging parking meters. The project engaged community members in the revitalization efforts taking place along this key commercial corridor. See photos of the completed meters in our Facebook photo album here.

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2014 PARTNERSHIP – PHILLY PHAIR

PHILLY PHAIR – In 2014 SBMA partnered with Philly PHAIR to host a table on 4th Saturday to provide a space for selected local artists or artisans to sell their art and crafts. Through the partnership, artists were given “vendor grants” that waived the tabling fee and provided artists with a table, chairs and vending support from SBMA volunteers. Artists activated their table space with live demonstrations, community painting, music and giveaways. Artists sold their work and products, solicited new customers and made connections for ongoing opportunities such as a radio interview, client referral, booking for art showing and introduction to additional resources. For many SBMA artists, PHAIR was their first vending opportunity and a great learning experience as well as the opportunity to network with other vendors at the event.

FEATURED ARTISTS AT PHAIR
WORLDTOWN MUSIC DJ/MUSIC | AMIR M. LYLES VISUAL ARTIST | LYRIC PRINCE VISUAL ARTIST | JEANINNE KAYEMBE VISUAL ARTIST & COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | LAVETT ORE-BALLARD VISUAL ARTIST | LEAH ST. CLAIR DESIGNER & PAINTER | AMY SCHEIDEGGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR | ALYSE SCHULTE GRAPHIC DESIGNER & CRAFTER | LINDA M. SCHWARTZ CERAMICS ARTIST | SHAUNA HOWARD SINGER & FIBER ARTISAN

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2013 PARTNERSHIP – MARKET EAST ARTS SERIES

MARKET EAST ARTS SERIES – In 2013 SBMA partnered with Witty Gritty Marketing, PHLCVB and the Market East Corridor for the Market East Arts Series. SBMA booked artists to feature their work at 12th and Market streets on first Fridays and each artist received a performance fee. Featured artists presented music and live art that engaged the passing community. Of the artists selected for this event, three went on to book further opportunities with the Market East Corridor, the African American Museum of Philadelphia and Flying Kite’s On the Ground program.

MARKET EAST ARTS SERIES ARTISTS
WORLDTOWN MUSIC DJ/MUSIC | LYRIC PRINCE VISUAL ARTIST
JEANINNE KAYEMBE VISUAL ARTIST & COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | AMMI CABRERA MUSICIAN/SINGER