Events + Workshops
AAC Bi-Weekly Office Hours
Office Hours are offered on a bi-weekly basis and are an open virtual space led by rotating consortium members. These drop-in sessions provide a platform for peer-to-peer learning, as well as access to individualized support. These hourlong sessions can be used in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
AAC services questions
Resource mapping
Real time grant feedback
Project thought partnership
Website, resume, and artist statement review
Quick follow up from previous AAC consultations
Upcoming Office Hours
Every other Wednesday from 12-1 pm
April 29
May 13
May 27
June 10
June 24
Click here to learn more and register!
Grant-Writing
A workshop to help demystify the grant application process! Join us for an informative session on grant-writing led by J. Cottle and hosted by the Dunamis and the Arts Action Consortium. Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to hone their skills and secure funding for their projects.
This is an in-person workshop hosted by AAC partners Dunamis Boston. See accessibility information here. If you have any questions please email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com.
Click here to register!
Power of Websites
You are more than social media. While socials are the place for dialogue and networking, having a dedicated website for your work is essential for comprehensively presenting your art and your story. Whether you have an existing site or you’re developing one for the first time, this workshop covers essential principles of design, organization, and usability for boldly sharing your work with the world. With planning and preparation, you can make a powerful home to showcase your work, and yourself, in a way that engages viewers and increases opportunity. A vibrant, user-friendly, and visually dynamic website is what makes you stand out from all the rest and increases cross-platform engagement.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Nonprofit Inc. Seminar
Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or have an interest in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced nonprofit attorneys. In this online classroom (using the Zoom platform) we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:
For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
What is a Not-for-Profit?
Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
State Reporting & Regulation
Federal Tax Exemption
Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation
This workshop is hosted by Luke Blackadar and run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Intro to Taxes for Artists
In this workshop, tax professional Akeem Davis, will delve into the basics of taxes, with emphasis on the specific intricacies of filing as a creative professional. Topics will include separating personal and artistic finances, filing a Schedule C, self-employment versus outside employment, and tracking deductions. This workshop will have a particular eye toward artists’ current financial challenges and helping artists navigate updates to tax law.
Akeem Davis is a Barrymore Award-winning actor and non-profit administrator with the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation, a death penalty sentencing resource center.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
Staying Authentic While Marketing Your Work
They say 80% of life is showing up. How one shows up determines the rest. Whether it’s an interview, Google search, Pinterest post, TED talk or a conversation over tea, making sure the impression one leaves leads to interest, opportunity, and growth for both you and your audience is crucial. In this workshop, participants will learn some strategies and apply practical know-how to promote themselves and their services with excellence and authenticity in both in-person and online spaces. Participants will leave the workshop with a fuller understanding of themselves and some tried-and-true methods for presenting and pitching their art and their practice.
Daniel Callahan is an award-winning transmedia artist, designer and filmmaker. In addition to running his own multimedia production company and art practice, he teaches film and video at Emerson College and The Institute of Contemporary Art.
This is an introductory level marketing course best suited for visual and media artists. 50 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
Art of Licensing
Allison Cole is an award-winning illustrator, artist and surface designer who never stops creating. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked with a wide variety of clients that span many different industries, including stationery, wall art, giftware, apparel, home furnishings and bolt fabric. In this workshop participants will learn about the industry of surface design and art licensing, and discover how artists can get their designs on a wide variety of products by partnering with different companies. They will learn about marketing and branding their work, reaching clients and setting achievable goals.
Best suited for visual artists. 30 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
Driving Web Traffic That Matters: Using Search, Ads & Analytics to Market Your Work
In this workshop, Francesca Olsen, discusses what is happening behind the scenes of your website and provides strategies for how to make it work for you. Through a combination of lecture and interactive activities this workshop will cover the basics of search engine optimization (SEO), including how it works, recent changes, and how to conduct a simple SEO audit. Participants will learn how to research and use keywords effectively, improve how their work is presented online, and understand digital advertising options that can help them reach the right audiences. This workshop will include time for Q&A so come with questions and leave with strategies to better connect your work with the audiences you want to reach!
Francesca Olsen is a multidisciplinary artist, writer and consultant with more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, from branding to digital strategy.
This workshop is best suited for artists of all disciplines who have already spent some time exploring web-based marketing tools and have a stand-alone website or sell their work on a web-based platform.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
The Sound Ritual: Changemakers
Enjoy a nourishing Sound Ritual led by Díjí Kay followed by a workshop discussing community care and social change.
This is an in-person workshop hosted by AAC partners Dunamis Boston. See accessibility information here. If you have any questions please email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com.
Click here to register!
Spiritual Wellness As Artistic Foundation
Learn the importance of a spiritual (non-religious) practice and how to create a personal routine to unlock your artistic power and identity.
This is an in-person workshop hosted by AAC partners Dunamis Boston led by Deshaun Gordon-King. See accessibility information here. If you have any questions please email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com.
Click here to register!
Education as Program Design
Learn how to create empowering and culturally responsive programming to uplift your classrooms, communities and organizations. Pulling from various educational pedagogies, learn how to create empowering and culturally responsive programming to uplift your communities and organizations.
This is an in-person workshop hosted by AAC partners Dunamis Boston and led by J Cottle. See accessibility information here. If you have any questions please email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com.
Click here to register!
Open Doors Residency: Black and Bold Presents: Rhymes and Reckonings
Zakiyyah presents her first-ever live event combining immersive activations with the powerful impact of music, the essence of civic engagement, and the thought-provoking innovation of a TED talk. Come experience sounds from her debut album, African Import, and explore an event where the arts and changemaking come alive!
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Open Doors Residency: Mar Parrilla | Brasa/Ember
With Brasa/Ember, Mar Parrilla presents an evening-length dance theater work that integrates movement, live music, and ritual to explore memory, resistance, and ancestral knowledge.
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Art in Community – Navigating and Building Creative Networks
Join the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston and The Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship for an exciting discussion on the power of creative community and collaboration. This panel brings together artists, arts organizers, and creative entrepreneurs to explore how local networks, shared spaces, and collaboration can help sustain creative work and strengthen resilience in current creative and cultural landscapes.
This panel discussion will feature leading arts professionals sharing insights on building and sustaining creative communities, leveraging local connections to grow creative businesses, and fostering opportunities through collective support and shared resources.
Panelists include Christine O’Donnell of Showup Gallery, Amor Diaz Campos of The Triennial and HerSector, as well as Payal Thiffault and Michelle May of Atelier ID Global and Juniper Rag.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Artist Resource Fair
Join the Arts Action Consortium, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and Spark Bostonfor a citywide Artist Resource Fair at Boston City Hall May 30 for an afternoon dedicated to connecting artists with Boston’s vibrant network of resources and support. This free public event will connect artists with resources and information to build a thriving creative career in Boston.
The fair will feature a free art supply swap; access to city agencies including housing, transportation, arts and culture, and health and wellness; resources from arts service organizations; and local businesses. Alongside resource sharing, the event will invite creatives into an open dialogue space focused on what artists need to thrive in Boston - from affordable studios and venues to sustainable career pathways. By bringing artists, advocates, and city agencies into conversation, the AAC Resource Fair aims to strengthen Boston’s creative ecosystem and help shape a more sustainable, artist-centered city.
Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established creative, this is a unique opportunity to build connections, gain valuable knowledge, and deepen your engagement with Boston’s arts community. Don’t miss your chance to discover the tools, resources, and relationships that can support and elevate your artistic journey!
Accessibility and Transportation
This is an in person event. Please use the main entrance to the building off of City Hall Plaza. Please expect to go through metal detectors and avoid bringing any sharp objects.
For information on accommodations we can offer, please check out our accessibility page. If you have any questions please email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com.
Click here for information about getting to City Hall by car, foot or public transit
Legal Issues with Generative AI
In this session covering generative AI in the arts, attorneys and staff from the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts will present an overview of the current generative AI law landscape. Presenters will summarize the law on AI as interpreted by the U.S. Copyright Office and the federal courts today, and explain the arguments and positions in some of the major pending lawsuits. This presentation is appropriate for artists in all creative disciplines.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, contact the department listed in the “Contact Info” pane on the right of the BPL’s webpage. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange accommodation.
Nonprofit Inc. Seminar
Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or have an interest in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced nonprofit attorneys. In this online classroom (using the Zoom platform) we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:
For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
What is a Not-for-Profit?
Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
State Reporting & Regulation
Federal Tax Exemption
Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation
This workshop is hosted by Luke Blackadar and run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Self Producing Act 2- showtime
This workshop, led by Andrea Sala, will be moving into the production side, the "doing" side, of your project. We will look at production timelines, venue types and what to look for when picking a venue, ticketing, schedules for production and performance, how to communicate with your design team, documentation of your work, and many more! As a group, we will walk through a process from first rehearsal to final bow, keeping your "guiding light" at the center of the work.
This workshop is hosted by AAC partners Midday Movement.
BCA Martin Hall is ADA accessible with automatic doors and elevators available. Please contact eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any concerns or questions.
Click here to register!
Self Producing Act 1- Planning
This workshop, led by Andrea Sala, will be focusing on the pre-planning phase of your project. We will work through elements like producing timelines, creating a budget, marketing strategies, where does the money come from, creating and reading through different types of contracts and building your dream team. This working will also provide you with examples/templates of each element that we as a group will work through together. The goal is to be able to work through all these elements while keeping your "guiding light" at the center of the work.
This workshop is hosted by AAC partners Midday Movement.
Click here to register!
Open Doors Residency: Matthew Lau | New Model Asian
New Model Asian is an interdisciplinary work combining percussion, live electronics, and generative visuals to explore identity and representation. Matthew Lau and collaborators challenge norms and celebrate diversity through a groundbreaking sonic and visual experience.
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Crowdfunding for Artist Projects
In this workshop, Laura Christenson will guide participants through the process of preparing and running a successful crowdfunding campaign, from setting funding targets, to identifying potential backers, to sharing your campaign with the world.
Best suited for artists of all disciplines. 100 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
Using Generative AI in your Creative Practice
While you may be skeptical of generative artificial intelligence (and justifiably so!), there are a variety of ways creative professionals use it in their practices. Ideation, visualization, prototyping, conceptualization, or even just staying organized are just some of the ways artists use AI to keep their creative practices going strong. In this workshop, local artists will discuss some of the ways they’ve used AI in their own practices.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, contact the department listed in the “Contact Info” pane on the right of the BPL’s webpage. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange accommodation.
Open Doors Residency: Free Pile Productions Presents: The Living Room
Inspired by the founding of the GLBT Historical Society, which archives the possessions of people who died of AIDS in the 1980s, The Living Room is an evening-length musical that employs Free Pile Productions' signature blend of the heartfelt and absurd to tenderly explore grief, memory, and love through puppetry, music, and crankies (illustrated panoramic scrolls).
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Open Doors Residency: Mercedes Escobar presents LATIN AMERICANA
Guatemalan singer-songwriter Mercedes Escobar brings her bold Latin Americana style to the stage, blending blues, country, and Latin traditions. Performing bilingually, she creates a musical space where cultures converge in a fresh and authentic sound.
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Open Doors Residency: Kalliope Reed Quintet | Cañas sin Fronteras Album Release Concert
Celebrate the release of Kalliope Reed Quintet’s new album, Cañas sin Fronteras, featuring works by living composers from across the Americas. This concert highlights cultural diversity and the evolution of the reed quintet through bold, contemporary sounds.
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Artist Residencies 101
Curious about artist residencies? In this workshop led by Yasmine Ameli, we will go over different art residency models and what they have to offer, from artist communities to DIY and micro-residencies.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines. 25 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
An Introduction to Cooperatives in the Arts
In this workshop led by Daniel Park, participants will learn about the fundamentals that define cooperatives and how they differ from other types of collectives, explore case studies of cooperatives in the arts and culture sector, and brainstorm how a cooperative could meet their needs and the needs of their communities.
This is a two part workshop taking place on April 1 + 2 from 6:00-7:30 pm each day.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines. 50 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
Protecting your Art from AI
In this workshop, attorneys and staff from the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts will introduce some tools and best practices to protect your creative works against AI data mining.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, contact the department listed in the “Contact Info” pane on the right of the BPL’s webpage. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange accommodation.
Staying Authentic While Marketing Your Work
In this workshop led by Daniel Callahan, participants will learn strategies and apply practical know-how to promote themselves and their services with excellence and authenticity in both in-person and online spaces.
This is an introductory level marketing course best suited for visual and media artists. 50 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
Free Physical Therapy Screenings
The Artistic Athlete Health Collective and the Arts Action Consortium are hosting a focused afternoon of free physical therapy screenings for performing artists at the BCA in Boston’s South End.
Whether you're managing an ache, recovering from a strain, or simply want expert eyes on your movement, this is a chance to check in — without cost being a barrier.
Click here to sign up for a slot!
Care in Action: AAC Community Drive
Join AAC for an evening of community in action as we break bread, enjoy performances by Zakiyyah and Kasa Taiko, and assemble care packages for communities in need. In times such as these, the tangible work of supporting and uplifting our communities is more important than ever.
Click here to RSVP!
Networking & Personal Branding
MIDDAY Marketing Manager, Asia Pyron will lead a workshop in basic branding and marketing development for individual artists. Come explore design apps that make it easy to start finding a unique style to your work. We will also discuss how to network in a new community/city and maintaining relationships.
This workshop is hosted by AAC partners Midday Movement.
Click here to register!
Open Doors Residency: J. Andrés Ballesteros | Five Suns
Five Suns retells an ancient Aztec myth of creation and rebirth through music and narration. This multidisciplinary work combines storytelling and ensemble performance to celebrate Mesoamerican culture and spark curiosity about its rich traditions.
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Artists’ Legacy Planning – Nonprofits & Me
For some artists, their creative legacy includes continuing important community service, stewardship, or advancing some other charitable goal. In those cases, founding or aligning with a charitable nonprofit might be appealing. In this session, we’ll discuss how creative nonprofits can be part of your legacy plan. (And no, the nonprofit doesn’t die at the end.)
Presented by Luke Blackadar, Deputy Director, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Inc.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Open Doors Residency: Ryan Casey | Mother Tongue
"Mother Tongue" is a rhythm tap performance that celebrates language and diversity through movement and sound. Set to a soundtrack featuring female vocalists singing in multiple languages from around the world, the show immerses audiences in a lively, non-Anglicized experience that highlights rhythm as a universal language.
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Boards aren’t scary + we can prove it!
Serving on a nonprofit board offers a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change, and organizations are seeking individuals like you to help them thrive.
Learn to leverage your expertise to support the causes that matter most to you. Ideal for professionals seeking the right organization, administrators looking to strengthen board management, and those onboarding new or prospective board members.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Select the “Emerging Creative Professional” option for a free ticket!
Non Profit Inc. Seminar
Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or have an interest in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced nonprofit attorneys. In this online classroom (using the Zoom platform) we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:
For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
What is a Not-for-Profit?
Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
State Reporting & Regulation
Federal Tax Exemption
Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation
This workshop will be held using the Zoom platform.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Lunch and Learn: Insurance 101
Chris Hawthorne of Cleary Insurance will review what artists should consider when setting up their insurance program both commercially and personally as well as where to purchase policies. He also will discuss what to consider when using independent contractors for installations.
This workshop is run by AAC partners Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Click here to register!
Intro to Taxes for Artists
Led by Akeem Davis, this workshop will cover the basics of taxes for artists, including separating personal and artistic finances, Schedule C filing, self-employment versus employment, and tracking deductions.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines. 100 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.
Click here to register!
Open Doors Residency: Aníbal Cruz Concert
Cuban pianist and composer Aníbal Cruz blends son, rumba, and Afro-Cuban rhythms with global sounds in an intimate concert that celebrates connection and evolution. This performance offers audiences a personal journey through Cuban musical traditions infused with jazz and world influences.
Get your tickets here!
Accessibility note: There is a ramp at the Sanctuary entrance (351 Boylston St). Email eliza@bloomartsstrategy.com with any accessibility questions.
Power of Websites
Whether you have an existing site or you’re developing one for the first time, this workshop covers essential principles of design, organization, and usability for boldly sharing your work with the world.
Best suited for 2D & 3D visual artists. This workshop is focused on design principles and user experience, and will not cover the nuts and bolts of online sales, SEO, or the logistics of webhosting. 40 participants max.
Assets for Artists workshops are open to artists in MA, CT, RI, and ME. As part of the Arts Action Consortium Boston artists receive priority access to all A4A workshops.