ARTISIN Resources

In our Resources Library you'll find eight useful categories to help you to get organized, connect with others, find answers, locate valuable information, and learn about benefits and services.

You can find out how to cope when things go wrong, learn to run run your business profitably, use the perks available to you as an artist, participate in your community, find learning resources, and balance the day job and your creative time.

Table of Contents:

When things go wrong

Since the unforeseen can always be foreseen, we’ll start with the organizations that can help you out in times of crisis.

Get down to business

Develop or expand your entrepreneurial or leadership skills, find professional services or meet with others interested in arts-business partnerships.

Possibly profitable

Find new sources of income through selling your art; connect with individual donors and institutional funders to help you achieve your artists goals.

Professional perks

There are many potential benefits to belonging to or being affiliated with a professional organization or union, from insurance to job postings to social and networking opportunities with other artists in your field.

Get involved

These advocacy organizations help to get the arts the recognition and support they deserve. Many offer services to artists; others advocate at the state and national levels to increase government funding for the arts. Most of them offer opportunities for you to get involved.

Knowledge is power

The more you know, the more you can accomplish. These sites are great places to begin your research, deepen your knowledge or get up to date news on the the arts and non-profit worlds.

Get to work

Put your passion for the arts to work in a job at an arts agency or organization that could benefit from your skills.

Money matters

To help you start to get your finances in order, here are several sites that offer budget templates and/or other simple money management tools. They are all free.

Resources Library

  • When things go wrong

    Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)

    A clearinghouse for information, advice, links and resources for artists whose lives, residences and/or workplaces are affected by natural and man-made disasters.
    Craft Emergency Relief Fund

    New York Foundation for the Arts

    The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has a very comprehensive list of updated state-by-state information.
    nyfa.org/.

    The Council of Foundations

    The Council of Foundations has a good list of relief efforts by the philanthropic community.
    cof.org/events/Disasters

    The Small Business Administration

    Provides low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance and loans up to $2 million for small businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes that have suffered property damage or loss of cash flow.
    sba.gov/content/applying-disaster-loan

    New York City

    For information about emergency events and important New York City services such as schools, utilities, and transportation.
    nyc.gov/notifynyc or call 311 to register for updates.

    The Actors Fund

    A list of emergency services, with information of specific importance and value for actors and all performing artists. Find 'Disaster Planning and Relief' in the dropdown menu.
    actorsfund.org.

  • Get down to business

    National Association of Women Business Owners

    A multi-service organization that offers research and information, business resources, networking events and professional development programs.
    www.nawbo.org

    The Business Council of New York State

    Programs and services include education and networking, information resources, insurance benefits and more.
    www.bcnys.org

    EntreWorld

    Offers a wealth of information for entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and others involved in the process of starting up and running a business.
    www.entrepreneurship.org

    Arts & Business Partnerships

    Offers a multitude of services, including professional development and training, and helps foster strategic partnerships between business and arts organizations on a local and national level
    www.artsandbusiness.org

    Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

    This organization provides pro bono legal services, and offers lectures and workshops on legal issues affecting the arts.
    www.vlany.org

    U.S. Small Business Administration

    A wealth of information, free online courses and tutorials, links to other training and resources for small business owners.
    www.sba.gov

    U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

    www.uspto.gov

  • Possibly profitable

    Artful Home / The Guild

    An online outlet to sell your work.
    www.artfulhome.com

    Network for Good

    Non-profits can use this site to connect with donors, learn about online fundraising and get pointers on other aspects of non-profit management.
    www.helping.org

    National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

    Find extensive research and information on the state of the arts throughout the country. Members also have access to podcasts, webinars and other learning materials.
    www.nasaa-arts.org

    National Endowment for the Arts

    The NEA is one of a few institutional funders that confers grants on individual artists, in addition to funding arts organizations. The site also provides a comprehensive listing of state, regional and jurisdictional art agencies by state, with contact information -- an invaluable resource (see link above).
    www.arts.endow.gov

    Association of Fund Raising Professionals

    A good resource for non-profits looking for information and contacts in development and fund raising.
    www.afpnet.org

    The New Jersey Small Business Development Center

    Provides consulting, training, guidance and other services to those looking to start or develop a business in New Jersey.
    www.njsbdc.com

    Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York

    Provides services for New York non-profits in areas such as insurance and payroll, as well as advocacy and government watchdog activities on the state level.
    www.npccny.org

    Crafthaus.com

    Crafthaus is a lively online social network/community of contemporary art and fine craft practitioners and enthusiasts.
    crafthaus.ning.com

  • Professional perks

    The Actors’ Fund of America

    Help for performers with social services, financial assistance, employment, housing, healthcare.
    www.actorsfund.org

    American Federation of Musicians

    Provides guidance and support to musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada. Services include contracts, pensions, insurance, referral programs.
    www.afm.org

    Actors’ Equity

    Represents actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, and provides health and pension plans for its members.
    www.actorsequity.org

    Theatre Communications Group

    A great list of resources for theatre organizations and individual theatre artists.
    tcg.org.

    American Craft Council

    Supports contemporary American craft through shows and workshops, conferences, educational efforts and outreach.
    www.craftcouncil.org

    Dramatists Guild of America

    A professional organization for playwrights, composers and lyricists, providing an assortment of valuable benefits and advisory services.
    www.dramatistsguild.com

    DanceNYC

    Provides information and support services to the professional dance community in and around the New York City metropolitan area.
    www.dancenyc.org

    National Performance Network

    A national service organization providing information and support to artists in the creation and touring of contemporary performing and visual arts.
    www.npnweb.org

    A.R.T. / New York

    art-newyork.org/

  • Get Involved

    Performing Arts Alliance

    Assists and promotes advocacy, both locally and nationally, for the performing arts on issues such as funding for the arts, artist visas, cultural exchange and arts education.
    theperformingartsalliance.org

    ArtPride New Jersey

    Advocacy and support organization for artists and arts organizations in New Jersey, has a job bank, technical, advocacy, networking and more.
    www.artpridenj.com

    New York Foundation for the Arts

    This organization provides a wide array of services and information to help empower artists and arts organizations in New York State.
    www.nyfa.org

    American Association of Museums

    “The American Association of Museums’ mission is to strengthen museums through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and service.”
    www.aam-us.org

    South Arts

    The arts are integral to the robust economic, social, cultural and educational vitality of the South. This belief guides the activities of South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization with a mission to: Advance excellence in the arts, connect the arts to key state and national policies, nurture a vibrant quality of life.
    www.southarts.org

  • Knowledge is power

    The Foundation Center

    This is the premier source for information and publications on all things non-profit: fundraising, management, research, as well as access to copious amounts of research, much available for free.
    www.fdncenter.org

    Guidestar

    A good source of information about funding sources and non-profit businesses; also provides information for non-profits in search of in-kind donations or pro bono services.
    www.guidestar.org

    The Chronicle of Philanthropy

    Chronicle of Philanthropy is a lively news source, in print and online, for nonprofit leaders, fund raisers, grant makers, and other people involved in the philanthropic enterprise.
    philanthropy.com

    Joanne Fritz

    Joanne Fritz has worked in the nonprofit world for most of her 30-year career. She can help you to stay informed and develop your skills.
    www.nonprofit.about.com

    Americans for the Arts

    One of the premier arts information sites, with an enormous array of info and resources on topics such as advocacy, funding, job postings, and partnerships.
    www.artsusa.org

    Craft in America

    A rich visual and informational exploration of the practice and preservation of craft and its impact on our nation's cultural heritage.
    www.craftinamerica.org

    ArtsJournal

    An arts news clearinghouse, jam-packed with up-to-the-minute information, ideas, job postings and more, covering all artistic disciplines, both in the US and abroad.
    www.artsjournal.com

    ArtsReady

    ArtsReady is a web-based emergency preparedness platform designed to provide arts and cultural organizations with customized business continuity plans for post crisis sustainability.
    www.artsready.org

  • Get to work

    Professionals for NonProfits

    Professionals for Nonprofits (PNP) provides a full array of staffing services to the nonprofit sector.
    www.nonprofitstaffing.com

    Nonprofit Career Network

    Post a job, or look for one.
    www.nonprofitcareer.com

    Idealist

    A well-known and respected site for job postings in non-profit nationwide.
    www.idealist.org

  • Money matters

    Budget worksheets

    This site offers a variety of customizable online expense budget worksheets.
    www.budgetworksheets.org

    Mint

    This all-in-one financial management website allows you to set up your own custom budget sheet, track your income and expenses, pay bills and manage your accounts online.
    www.mint.com

    Budget spreadsheet

    A customizable Excel budget spreadsheet you can download for free.
    vertex42.com

    Pencil and paper!

    If you prefer to work with pencil and paper, this site offers a choice of free blank printable budget worksheets.
    www.dollartimes.com