program activities
Pre-Exhibition Review and Monthly Critique
In the planning stage of each show, all artists will meet with members of the advisory panel and the gallery director or gallery staff to discuss their artistic concept and approach to the exhibition. The advisory panel and gallery directors will provide feedback and assistance for mounting the show. All other fellows within the program are expected to provide peer-review throughout this process. At the end of each monthly exhibition, there will also be an internal critique for the exhibiting artists. The exhibiting artists are expected to discuss their expectation, planning, experience, and rewards from the show. All other gallery artists are encouraged to provide feedback to their peers. Feedback collected from visitors and media reviews will form the foundation of the discussion.
Regular Seminars and Lectures
Hamiltonian Artists will also provide regular seminars/lectures in portfolio development, gallery management, marketing and career development training for fellows in the program. The gallery will tap its connections through its advisory board to invite art educators, artists, and other art professionals from around the region to participate in these lectures. Returning gallery alumni will also be scheduled to assist in the mentorship training for current fellows within the program.
Mentorship Program
Fellows from the program will participate in a mentorship program with the gallery staff and members of the advisory board. The mentorship program will have two main goals to further career sustainability:
- Artists will have the opportunity to learn the skills in the marketing and promotion of their work in a functioning commercial gallery. They will also gain experience in communicating effectively with potential collectors, critics and the media.
- Artists under the direction of the Executive Director will gain invaluable experience in the art of grant-making from both public and private funding sources.
Post-Fellowship Career Placement Assistance
Through its connections to other commercial galleries in the mid-Atlantic region (New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC), Hamiltonian Artists will provide assistance for fellows seeking gallery representation and exhibition opportunities after their fellowship term. Success during the two-year fellowship and evidence of marketability of an artist's work provides an incentive for other galleries that focus on emerging artists to provide further representation after the fellows leave our program. In a sense, we function as a testing ground for other commercial galleries seeking new emerging artists.
In order to continue to provide a successful placement service for our fellows, Hamiltonian Artists must continue to engage in outreach to other galleries and exhibition spaces outside the mid-Atlantic region. In the coming years, Hamiltonian Artists will continue to seek partnerships with galleries and art spaces in national and international art centers to increase the possible outlets for our fellows. Through collaboration with Hamiltonian Gallery, all fellows will be actively promoted in various national art fairs.
Quarterly Community Art Mingle
All Hamiltonian Artists fellows are expected to participate in Artist Talks and other outreach events for the local community. These events are planned to be informal presentations in the evening utilizing the Hamiltonian Gallery exhibition space. The purpose for these outreach events are two fold. First, it is vitally important for new artists to develop the public speaking skills and audience rapport to communicate their ideas to the art community in an engaging manner. It is a skill that can only develop through repeated experience. Second, creating consistent avenues of dialogue between new artists and the local community deepens the appreciation of local art and builds support for local artists.
Outreach in the Digital Medium
Recognizing the inter-connectedness of the 21st century and the value of electronic medium, the exhibition space within the Hamiltonian Gallery will have a specifically designed interactive Information Hub. This Information Hub is integrated with the Hamiltonian Gallery and the Hamiltonian Artists websites and it is envisioned to be the place where artists and visitors (both on location and online) can freely exchange ideas and comments through internet chat, blogs, and other electronic avenues. While visitors are encouraged to explore the background, ideas, and insights beyond the art work shown in the gallery, artists can use this medium to reach a bigger audience. Working in the internet age, creative and proficient utilization of this medium is important for the success for all artists.
Regular Visits to Other National Art Centers
Washington, DC is only a bus/train ride away from a number of East Coast cities which have a vibrant art culture. For many new artists, regular visits to these art centers are very beneficial. Hamiltonian Artists will arrange yearly day trips to visit galleries and artist communities in such locations.