Artists, Assemble!

Generous Art, an organization that for years has been helping artists sell their work, with part of the proceeds going to nonprofits, is undertaking a new project to benefit the city's art-makers: founding a professional association for artists that will fill critical gaps in Austin's creative scene. And it'll tell you all about it on Saturday.

From 2-5pm, Generous Art is hosting a professional development expo at Techspace, 98 San Jacinto. On hand will be representatives from a host of local organizations and service providers: the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Small Business Department, and Parks and Recreation Department; the city-sponsored professional development seminar Artist INC; networking entity Creatives Meet Business; Big Medium, which sponsors of the East and West Austin Studio Tours; service organizations Austin Creative Alliance and Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts; contemporary art promoter Art Alliance Austin; Eastside artists service organization Capitol View; and artists collective ARTiculation. Each will make a brief spotlight presentation – just 3-5 minutes – during a pair of networking sessions as well as have a table where they'll display materials and field questions.

Generous Art wants all of these "major players" in helping local artists hone their professional skills present because it's looking to rebrand itself in that arena and create, as it says, "the preeminent digital destination where creatives of all types can explore opportunities, professional development services, and creative standards for artists" and to establish Austin's first membership-style, professional association for artists. To that end, it held three town hall meetings in the first week of October to ask artists what needs they have. According to Generous Art's Nick Schnitzer, "The questions we posed covered the full breadth of life as an artist in Austin. We found that most participants cited the lack of a centralized hub where information is collected and dispersed effectively, lack of knowledge of available resources and organizations, and a general lack of business acumen as related to their personal practice."

Schnitzer adds, "We learned first and foremost the value of proving a setting for artists to gather, discuss, and meet each other. The energy in all three meetings was positive, inquisitive, and lively! Folks clearly enjoyed the discourse and asked for more, which we plan to give them." More findings from the meetings will be presented at the expo.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Parking is available, but to make that Downtown trip even smoother, Generous Art has partnered with Lyft to provide a discount for expo attendees. All you have to do is book the ride in advance and use code GENEROUS17, and your total one-way cost is only $5, no matter where you're coming from. Musc will be provided by DJ Mahogany Dane, and there will be complimentary liquor and snacks.

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Generous Art's Exhibition + Expo will take place Sat., Oct. 14, 2-5pm, at Techspace. 98 San Jacinto. For more information, visit www.Generousart.org and its Facebook Event Page.