What is craftivism?

I grew up with a mother who was a maker. She was always building things: weaving baskets, embroidery, sewing, painting… you name it I was witness to her exploring the material. She has been and still is a wonderful example of someone who enjoys creativity for the sake...

What is arts funding?

There’s been a lot of talk about arts funding lately. I want to think about it. What is it? What does it mean for people, for artists, for taxpayers? Let’s talk about that today. Hi, my name is Carrie on Artist Strong, and we’re going to dig into...

How ART is an act of freedom

There are times in my life that I’ve felt disenfranchised. I’ve felt like I have no voice. I feel like there’s no one listening and I think that’s a lot of the reason I’ve found art in my life to be so important. It’s a way to...

Why Art Community Matters

We’ve all felt it before: the pain of rejection. Sometimes it happens as we develop the artwork and a friend or family member offers unwanted advice. Other times our work is up for exhibit at a gallery, or for sale at an art fair. Somehow, we manage to overhear a...

Make Art That Changes the World

I listened to an interview a while ago where the artist felt a lot of pressure to make art that “changes the world.” She discovered her current art interest in part because she felt enjoyment from the process. She also felt free from the pressure of making “important”...