What the Directory is
The aim of the directory:
Demystify the process and cost of hiring artists as service providers
The audience of the directory:
Individuals, rather than organizations --- especially individuals who are open to the idea of hiring local artists, but don't know where to start.
The scope of the directory:
Includes artists and writers based in the Minneapolis / St. Paul Metro Area
The format of the directory:
A stapled, photocopied 5.5 x 8.5" booklet.
Overall Goal
Overall Goal
as cheaply as possible, produce an appealing physical object which will promote a number of artist services to a general public.
What the Directory is Not
This is not a listing for products, just services.
This is not a listing for services available to organizations, just individuals.
Are artists compensated for their listing?
Participating artists receive:
- a pdf of the booklet - for posting on artists' websites, sending to their email lists, or linking in social media.
- five printed copies of the directory
- ability to purchase additional printed copies in bulk at the lowest possible wholesale cost (10 copies for $8), to gift or resell at a cover price of $3.
Orgs and businesses can purchase wholesale bundles of the Directory in the Late Night Copies Shop at a rate of $30 for 25 copies, to resell for at a cover price of $3.
- A career in the arts involves work that is creatively and/or professionally important, but unpaid / underpaid.
- Because of this, artists often depend on the gig economy to earn income. Whenever possible, we deserve to navigate the gig economy on our own terms.
- Access to basic income for artists is one way to improve equity in the art world.
- Compared to goods, services have a higher profit margin for artists—but artists’ services are harder for the public to find out about.
- Hiring artists directly is more profitable for artists (and more affordable for individuals) than relying on an intermediary (org, nonprofit, art fair, etc).
- Simple, analog advertising is effective.
- When artists organize, we improve the conditions of creative labor.
- When artists organize, we pilot ways for audiences to interact with artists that are imaginative, interesting, practical, and fun.