Assets for Artists (A4A), an initiative of MASS MoCA, is offering a 2025 Capacity-Building Cohort specifically for artists in the Northern Berkshires. This program aligns with A4A's mission to create a world where artists are fairly compensated, valued for their multifaceted contributions, and have equitable access to resources for thriving. They achieve this through professional development workshops, coaching, working capital grants, and community building, all designed and juried by a diverse coalition of artists, activists, and arts administrators. The Capacity-Building Program is a 6-month initiative that provides individualized, artist-centered professional development aimed at strengthening creative practices, fostering values-driven careers, building supportive networks, and securing long-term sustainability and self-determination for artists.
The target beneficiaries for this program are artists and creatives of any discipline who are at least 18 years of age, not full-time students, and have not been previous A4A grant recipients. Crucially, applicants must live or have a studio in Northern Berkshire County, which includes 10 specific towns. The program particularly welcomes performing artists and prioritizes emerging or mid-career artists, as well as those from under-resourced communities and backgrounds. The overarching impact goal is to empower artists to build sustainable creative practices and strengthen their financial and social safety nets within a peer community.
The program focuses on artists who have limited access to resources, which is broadly defined to include those with low-to-moderate income, limited savings or generational wealth, artists in rural or under-resourced communities with fewer opportunities, or artists from historically undervalued or marginalized identities. Applicants should demonstrate a readiness to advance their practice. The Capacity-Building Program is best suited for creatives eager to engage with the program offerings, build sustainable practices, and expand their professional networks. Financial need is a critical priority for application consideration.
Expected outcomes include participants receiving an unrestricted $2,000 grant, provided by The Midas Collaborative, to be disbursed at their discretion. Artists will benefit from a blend of self-directed and group professional development, individualized support and resources from A4A staff and trainers, and planning tools to guide their artistic careers. The program also fosters peer learning through cohort events, offers priority access to A4A's professional development workshops, and includes up to 2 hours of one-on-one coaching. New benefits for this cohort are a reserved spot at the 2025 Artists U weekend intensive and an optional culminating showcase at Future Lab(s) Gallery, providing additional opportunities for skill development and exposure.
