Crowdfunding: How It Works for the Arts

Posted on May 20, 2015by lvartscouncil

In the increasingly competitive environment for arts funding, artists and emerging organizations are finding both access and success through crowdfunding platforms.

As part of its Professional Development Series, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council is presenting a crowdfunding seminar, featuring the largest arts fiscal sponsor in the country, Fractured Atlas, on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at Penn State Lehigh Valley from 5:30 to 8:00PM.

Fractured Atlas helps more than 3,500 artists and organizations in every discipline to find funding and other resources to support their creative projects. With fiscal sponsorship, one can solicit tax-deductible donations and apply for grants; the sponsored project might be a one-time collaboration or an independent artist or even an arts organization that does not have its own 501(c)(3) status.

“The popularity of crowdfunding is definitely on the rise,” says Randall Forte, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council.  “We are pleased to offer the arts community this opportunity to learn firsthand how it works.”

Fractured Atlas Project Specialist Theresa Hubbard from the New York office will serve on a panel with local arts professionals who have used the program. Hubbard will explain the application process and many of the ancillary benefits that the company provides, such as marketing and ticketing services.

The basic criteria for eligibility to attain a fiscal sponsorship are:

1. You must be a Professional or Organizational member of Fractured Atlas.
2. You must submit the online application.
3. Your project must be artistic.
4. Your project must have some public benefit and be non-commercial in nature.

Refreshments will be provided. The fee is $30 for Lehigh Valley Arts Council members, $50 for nonmembers. Registration is required. To order tickets, visit LVArtsCouncil.org.