The City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division hosts its first Artist Resource Fair this Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. Open to all artists, the fair offers workshops and information about ways to live and work as an artist in Santa Monica, from affordable housing to health care.
Workshops and information will be taught and presented by Los Angeles based organizations that help artists in a myriad of ways.
Daniel Kitowski of The Actors Fund will present Every Artist Insured: Finding Affordable Health Insurance. Information about Covered California, the Affordable Care Act and healthcare for all artists (not only performers) will be covered.
Participants will have the option of either signing up for a health care plan on the spot (depending on website availability) or will be able to make appointments for one-on-one Sarah Letts and Durinda Abraham, with Community Corporation of Santa Monica, will review Affordable Housing for Artists.
CCSM is a locally based, non-profit organization committed to developing and managing affordable housing in the LA area.
Topics covered will include tenant selection criteria, application documentation needed and the typical application timeline.
Miata Edoga of The Actors Fund will lead Financial Wellness for Artists, providing practical financial tools designed to instill in participants a sense of confidence and control of money matters.
The focus will be on increasing security and productivity – with the idea that financial wellness frees up energy to focus on artistic careers.
The workshop will include step-by-step strategies to get organized, create a realistic spending plan, develop goals, and how to pursue one’s passion without being buried under the weight of financial stress.
In addition to light refreshments being provided, a variety of information tables will have staff available to discuss programs and resources, and will include:
— The Actors Fund with information on their many programs, including healthcare, retirement and other initiatives
— Arts Earth Partnership providing tips on how to become a certified green cultural business and how artists can get involved with sustainability
— Center for Cultural Innovation with information on artist-centered workshops, grants, and incubation programs
— California Lawyers for the Arts with details on legal aid for art professionals and City of Santa Monica, Cultural Affairs Division with information on grants, Artist Fellowships and other opportunities with the City.
There is limited seating for the workshops and it will be first come, first served.
The fair will be held at 1450 Ocean, the Camera Obscura Building, 1450 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica.
For more information and to RSVP, visit
artistresourcefair.eventbrite.com.
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