Art Conference Spotlights Crisis, Help for New York Artists



“NYC:State Of The Art” is the first-ever art industry conference focused on New York City’s artists.

NEW YORK, NY.- As a global capital of art and commerce, New York City is home to the world’s most prestigious galleries, art fairs, auction houses, dealers, corporate buyers, and collectors. Some of the art world’s most significant museums, foundations, not-for-profits, and art schools also call the city home. For many observers, these established groups are enough to ensure the city’s relevance in the art world. But what about the artists?

New York’s visual fine artists have faced persistent challenges, and the current economy only exacerbates the problem. Recent surveys indicate that 68% of visual artists make less than $40,000 annually, and 51% of artists report a decline in art income compared to last year. To adapt, artists have left former havens like SoHo and the Lower East Side for DUMBO and Long Island City. Unfortunately, artists in those areas now face rising rents and dwindling opportunities to create, to show, and to make a living as artists. Living and working in the city can be a hardship. Showing and selling artwork is no easier.

“NYC:State Of The Art” is the first-ever art industry conference focused on New York City’s artists. A not-for-profit event, NYC:SOTA’s panels feature the city’s most significant and influential members of the art community exploring ideas to reinvigorate New York City’s visual arts environment. On March 6, 2010, the inaugural NYC:SOTA will heighten awareness of the issues of New York’s artists at 333 West 23 Street, setting the stage for the next art movement to debut in New York City.

Artists, businesses, and not-for-profit leaders who shape the New York art landscape are confirmed. NYC:SOTA’s ambitious program consists of keynote presentations, featured discussions, and solution sessions, providing a concentrated platform for key stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the city’s artists, to interact directly with artists and the public, and to collaborate on creative solutions that maintain the city’s vibrant culture. Already, some announcements of new initiatives can be expected.

Representatives from the offices of the Department of Cultural Affairs, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and a range of other government offices supportive of the visual arts in New York City have committed to attend.
NYC:SOTA expects up to 1,000 attendees. The core publics include artists, New Yorkers, decision makers, thought leaders, and visual arts supporters and consumers. Those who cannot attend are invited to let an artist attend by sponsoring a ticket.

By initiating discussions among stakeholders, and by implementing public-private solutions, NYC:SOTA can bolster New York’s status as home to the world’s most important art scene and the world’s best artists.

The future of the creation of visual art in New York City hangs in the balance.
NYC:SOTA, a not-for-profit arts conference, is an initiative of James and Jennifer Wallace, co-founders of nAscent Art New York, an art company that works with New York-based emerging artists.

Confirmed panelists:
* Jeremy Adams, Executive Director, Cue Art Foundation
* Susan Ball, Director of Programs, New York Foundation for the Arts
* Jonathan Bowles, Director, Center for an Urban Future
* Jason Bowman, Director, Fountain Gallery
* David Businelli, President, American Institute of Architects (NY State)
* Liz Dimmitt, Curator, Gawker Arts
* Heng-Gil Han, Visual Arts Director, Jamacia Center for Arts & Learning
* Janet Hicks, Director of Permissions, Artist Rights Society
* Heather Hubbs, Director, New Art Dealers Association
* Peter Drake, Dean, New York Academy Of Art
* Cary Leibowitz, Director of Contemporary Editions, Phillips de Pury
* Wesley Miller, Curator, Art:21
* Keats Myer, Executive Director, Children’s Museum of the Arts
* Norma Munn, Chairperson, New York Arts Coalition
* Marisa Sage, President, Williamsburg Gallery Association
* Manon Slome, Founder & Curator, No Longer Empty
* Will Maitland Weiss, Executive Director, Art & Business Council of New York