CREATIVE ECONOMY
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the arts industry contributes more than $763.6 billion to the American economy each year, that's more than agriculture, transportation, or warehousing. How? Consider the ripple effect of even a simple trip to the movies, hear a band, or head to the theatre: do you hire a babysitter? grab a bite to eat? gas up on the way? Give people something to do, and they will stay, live, work, retire here. Not convinced? Just ask a real estate agent the questions they field from clients looking to move to our community.
- Art in Public Places (exhibit series)
- Business Skills Workshops (teaching artists to treat their art like a business)
- Cotton District Arts Festival
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
|
is our Exhibit Series. Artists are provided public space to sell their work. SAAC hosts a reception and publicity for each event, handles the collecting and reporting of sales taxes, and takes a substantially reduced commission of 20%. These 6-7 shows each year exhibit a wide-range of talent and media, including a number of award-winning Southern artists.
Our Submittable Page includes open calls for group shows as well as opportunities to submit your work for a potential solo show. Take a look! |
General Rules
Unless otherwise posted in the call, these guidelines apply to all open submissions. Requirements for solo shows may vary.
Artists may submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. Each submission must include JPG files of each work and labeled with Artist Name, Title, Medium, Dimensions, Price. If accepted, works must be gallery ready at the time of drop-off. That means 2D works must be mounted or framed or otherwise professionally displayed, ready to hang / display using a wire hanging system. No sawtooth hangers may be used. Unless otherwise noted, calls are not limited by medium, although no piece should exceed 48" in any one direction nor weigh more than 75 pounds. Absolutely no craft kits. With limited exception, works must be listed for sale.
Works in previous AiPP shows may not be submitted again.
NOTE: If you ship your work, you must provide for pre-paid return shipping, in the event your work does not sell. Works left after 30 days of the close of an exhibit become the property of SAAC.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Artists may submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. Each submission must include JPG files of each work and labeled with Artist Name, Title, Medium, Dimensions, Price. If accepted, works must be gallery ready at the time of drop-off. That means 2D works must be mounted or framed or otherwise professionally displayed, ready to hang / display using a wire hanging system. No sawtooth hangers may be used. Unless otherwise noted, calls are not limited by medium, although no piece should exceed 48" in any one direction nor weigh more than 75 pounds. Absolutely no craft kits. With limited exception, works must be listed for sale.
Works in previous AiPP shows may not be submitted again.
NOTE: If you ship your work, you must provide for pre-paid return shipping, in the event your work does not sell. Works left after 30 days of the close of an exhibit become the property of SAAC.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Call for Submissions
July 10 -Sept 11, 2023: The Art of Movement & Dance Group Exhibit
Open call for submissions for our next AiPP Group Show - The Art of Movement & Dance! The submission deadline is June 4th, 2023. This show will be a HYBRID show: works will be on display in the Starkville Area Arts Council gallery as well as online. The exhibit will run from July 10th, 2023, to September 11th, 2023.
This show has the theme of Movement/Dance: artworks that represent things in motion or the feeling of movement. Dancers aren't the only ones who can grace us with beautiful motions. Visual 2D and 3D art can represent this as well. A photograph or painting can show us the nature of movement or dance in the blurring or bursting of things. Lines from a poem can make our imagination dance. Sculpture can elicit the feeling of motion. Feel free to relate to the theme whether directly or indirectly, literally or abstractly-- but be aware that works not related to the theme at all will not be accepted. |
June 1 - July 31, 2023: Mostra di Fantasia (Fantastical Exhibit)
Open call for submissions for our next Workshop Gallery exhibit - Mostra di Fantasia, which will showcase artwork inspired by the Renaissance period. This show will be on display in the Starkville Area Arts Council lower level gallery as well as online. The exhibit will run from June 1st, 2023 to July 31, 2023.
The Renaissance was a time of great creativity and innovation in art, and we are looking for pieces that capture the spirit of that period while also exploring fantastical and imaginative elements. This could include depictions like mythical creatures, magical landscapes, and otherworldly beings, whether literal or interpretive. Submissions can be in any medium, including painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, digital art, literary, poetic, and more. We encourage artists to experiment with different techniques and materials to create unique and compelling pieces. The interpretation can be literal or conceptual, but be aware that works not related to the theme will not be accepted. The deadline to submit works is June 1st at Midnight NOTE: Only submit ONE work per submission. Artists can submit up to 3 works by submitting additional forms. All mediums accepted. Visit the page for our AiPP initiative at https://www.starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy.html for additional rules and details. This show will be a HYBRID show: works will be on display in the Starkville Area Arts Council Workshop Gallery as well as online. The exhibit will run from June 7 - July 31, 2023. |
On Display Now!
Jacob Crook (May 1 - July 10, 2023)
The Starkville Area Arts Council is excited to announce our next Art in Public Places (AiPP) Exhibit of 2023, a solo exhibit featuring works by Jacob Crook. This exhibit will be on display beginning May 1, 2023.
The exhibit will kick-off with a reception held on Tuesday, May 2, from 5:30-7 pm in the Starkville Area Arts Council's office in downtown Starkville (122 East Main St). Crook is a printmaking Professor in the Art Dept at MSU and has lived in Starkville for over 5 years. From Crook: "The quality of light cast into a space has the potential to bring poetry to the prosaic, magic to the mundane, and beauty to the banal. The light spilling through these nocturnal landscapes and vacant interiors serves as a sort of spotlight, transforming the scenes into empty stage sets either soon to be entered or perhaps long abandoned, suggesting the possibility of untold narratives that are just out of reach. My intent is not to tell a story directly, but to set the stage in such a way that viewers are compelled to consider the moments before and after the one presented based on their own associations with the imagery." This exhibit will be on display in-person and online on the SAAC website (starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy) from May 1 to July 10, 2023, in the Starkville Area Arts Council's office in downtown Starkville (122 East Main St.) To see more of Crook's work, please visit his website www.crookstudio.net |
Starkville Sightings (Feb 21 - Aug. 7, 2023)
The Starkville Area Arts Council is excited to announce our next Art in Public Places (AiPP) Exhibit of 2023, a group exhibit titled Starkville Sightings. This exhibit will be on display beginning Feb. 21, 2023. The theme is Starkville.
This exhibit will be on display in-person and online on the SAAC website (starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy) from February 21 to August 7, 2023, in the GSDP Lobby in downtown Starkville. |
Upcoming Exhibits
The Art of Movement & Dance (July 10 - Sept 11, 2023)
The Starkville Area Arts Council is excited to announce our next Art in Public Places (AiPP) Exhibit of 2023: The Art of Movement & Dance. This exhibit will be on display beginning July 10, 2023.
The exhibit will kick-off with a reception held on Tuesday, July 11, from 5:30-7 pm in the Starkville Area Arts Council's office in downtown Starkville (122 East Main St). This exhibit will be on display in-person and online on the SAAC website (starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy) from July 10 to September 11, 2023, in the Starkville Area Arts Council's office in downtown Starkville (122 East Main St.) |
Bonnie Brumley (Sept 11 - Nov 6, 2023)
The Starkville Area Arts Council is excited to announce our next Art in Public Places (AiPP) Exhibit of 2023, a solo exhibit featuring works by Bonnie Brumley. This exhibit will be on display beginning September 11, 2023.
The exhibit will kick-off with a reception held on Tuesday, September 12, from 5:30-7 pm in the Starkville Area Arts Council's office in downtown Starkville (122 East Main St). This exhibit will be on display in-person and online on the SAAC website (starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy) from September 11 to November 6, 2023, in the Starkville Area Arts Council's office in downtown Starkville (122 East Main St.) |
AiPP Schedule (2022-2023)
Nov 7 , 2022 - Jan 9, 2023: Annual Winter Showcase Jan 9 - Mar 6, 2023: New Beginnings - Samuel Lawson Jr. Jan 10: New Beginnings Opening Reception Feb 21 - Aug. 7, 2023: Starkville Sightings Mar 6 - May 1, 2023: 2023 Spring Showcase Mar 7: 2023 Spring Showcase Opening Reception April 11: Starkville Sightings Opening Reception May 1 - July 10, 2023: Jacob Crook May 2: Jacob Crook Opening Reception July 10 - Sept 11, 2023: Movement and Dance (Group Show - Open Call) July 11: Movement and Dance Opening Reception Aug 7, 2023 - Jan 8, 2024: Partnership Show (TBD) (Open Call) Sept 11 - Nov 6, 2023: Bonnie Brumley Exhibit Sept 12: Bonnie Brumley Exhibit Opening Reception Nov 6, 2023 - Jan 8, 2024: 2023 Annual Winter Showcase (Open Call) Nov 14: 2023 Annual Winter Showcase Opening Reception Jan 8 - Mar 4, 2024: Solo Show (TBD) Jan 9: Solo Show (TBD) Opening Recetion Feb 5 - TBD, 2024: Partnership Show (TBD) (Open Call) Mar 4 - TBD, 2024: Group Show (TBD) (Open Call) Mar 5: Group Show (TBD) Opening Reception |
Past Exhibitions |
ART MARKETS
Forces of Nature Exhibit & Market (May 19)
May's Market & Exhibit Theme is Forces of Nature - natural wonders, naturally-made items or sustainable inspired items.
SAAC will be hosting a Forces of Nature Market at 122 E Main St. in Downtown Starkville on Friday, May 19th, from 2-6 pm, to go along with our Forces of Nature Exhibition. The exhibit will run from May 1st, 2023 to May 31, 2023. |
Summer Solstice Art Market (June 21, 2023 | 2-6 PM)
SAAC will be hosting a Summer Solstice Art Market at 122 E Main St. in Downtown Starkville on Wednesday, June 21st, from 2-6 pm. This market is a celebration of the summer solstice and all things art. We are seeking arts vendors to participate in our market, showcasing their unique and creative works inspired by the beauty and energy of the summer solstice. The summer solstice is a time of abundance, growth, and warmth, and we are looking for art that captures the essence of this season. This could include bright and vibrant colors, depictions of summer landscapes, flora and fauna, or other images that evoke the feeling of summer. We welcome vendors of all mediums. Whether you specialize in abstract art or realism, we want to see your unique interpretation of the summer solstice. 6 spots are available. The deadline is June 14 at midnight. |
Renaissance Faire Market (July 29, 2-6 PM)
Of verily, a call for art vendors cometh! Harken ye, fair artists and craftspeople, to the Renaissance Faire Art Market on the 29th day of the merry month of July, where merriment and creativity shall abound. We are in search of talented vendors who wish to share their wares with the good folk of our faire. With the spirit of the Renaissance at our helm, we invite thee to bring forth thy most magnificent art and artisanal crafts to grace our market. From paintings and drawings to sculptures and jewelry, all manner of fine works shall be considered. Inspired by the grandeur of the Renaissance, we beseech thee to infuse thy creations with the essence of that noble age. Let thy works be imbued with the splendor of courtly life, the intrigue of the guilds, and the majesty of the art that flourished in those times. The Renaissance Faire Art Market shall be held on the 28th of the month of July, where our visitors shall flock in droves to peruse thy fine creations. Thou shalt have the opportunity to showcase and sell thy works, and to mingle with other vendors of like-minded talent and passion. If thou art interested in partaking in this grand occasion, we beseech thee to submit up to five high-quality images of thy works, along with a brief artist statement and bio. Take heed, for the deadline for submissions shall be on the 20th of the month of July, and selected vendors shall be notified forthwith. Verily, all applications must be made online. The esteemed SAAC Staff and their volunteers shall review these applications, and vendors of worthy craft shall be notified of acceptance via the most expeditious of means, the electronic post, by the 22nd day of July. At this juncture, more information shall be divulged to the chosen vendors, so that they may be fully prepared for the event. This Art Market shall require a fee of $10 for each booth, payable upon acceptance. This shall assist in covering the expenses of the market, including victuals and other necessities. Booth Payments may be made by cash, card, or check. Thou must supply all thy own tables and decor, and each vendor shall be limited to one table only. All final sales shall go to the vendor, and each artist shall be responsible for handling their own sales taxes. All sales that occur through the SAAC Artist Store, or other merchandise sold through SAAC, shall be managed by the capable hands of the SAAC Staff and their volunteers. Come, join us on this grand adventure, and let thy works transport us to the grandeur and magnificence of the Renaissance! |
ARTIST TALKS
Want to host an artist talk? Contact us at arts@starkvillearts.org
BUSINESS SKILLS WORKSHOPS
offers real-world, practical advice on treating art like a business. The goal? Show artists how to think like a business so they can sell their work.
In Summer 2020, this workshop series was revamped in collaboration with Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (Oxford) to form the $kills for the Creative Economy Partnership. Under this partnership, SAAC and YAC host monthly workshop series that are open to any Mississippi creatives. Workshops cover various topics including sales taxes, the festival circuit, social media, licensing, and more. As of September 2020, the Series is currently scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month, other than December and July. |
The Next Workshop...
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. VIRTUAL via ZOOM Limited to 12 participants 1-1 Sessions Available Need funds for that big art project? Want to buy equipment for your studio? Can’t afford to go to that residency but don’t have the money? Grants are free money, but you can’t get one if you don’t apply! Learn how to navigate a grant application and tell your story so funders will support your work. This workshop will cover the basic common components of grant applications and will include 1:1 review sessions up to 90 minutes to help tailor a specific application. Spaces are limited. Registration ends Sept. 13 |
Upcoming WorkshopsStay Tuned! |
Past Workshops |
COTTON DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL
The Cotton District Arts Festival showcases the best talent in arts, music, food, and more, from across the Southeast. Featuring a variety of artists, musicians and otherwise, CDAF has been consistently named Best Fair/Festival by Mississippi Magazine. Vendors and patrons alike flood the streets of Starkville in events such as the Pet Parade, the Juried Art Competition, Student Art Competition, and many more.
Are you excited for #CDAF2022?
Head over to the festival website for the latest updates! |
PUBLIC ART
creates a sense of place and brings together a community in ways other programs can’t, from neighborhood improvement to a clear, identifiable draw in tourism. SAAC continues to collaborate with the MSU Department of Art and other partners to help emphasize the arts here in Starkville.
|
SUNDAY FUNDAY
This grassroots community event, created by artists, is a former SAAC grantee. SAAC now serves as *“fiscal sponsor”: Sunday Funday controls its program and SAAC provides financial oversight, which, in turn, gives donors a potential charitable deduction.
If you're interested in donating to support Sunday Funday, please contact SAAC! *What is a "fiscal sponsor"? Quite simply, it's a legal relationship between an established charity and a project (or an individual) where the charity provides financial or legal oversight in exchange for a fee. That's it! The sponsored project remains fairly autonomous, and most donors benefit from the tax-exempt status of the charity. At a minimum, both the sponsor and the project must have similar missions (as written and documented, not over beers at happy hour). If you are interested in learning more about SAAC's fiscal sponsorship of Sunday Funday!, then please contact the SAAC offices at 662.324.3080. Be sure to ask your financial advisor about whether your donation is tax deductible - we can't give you that advice!
|