New patron to give area artists a boost

The bubbly mood of the art crowd gathered at Earthworks gallery on a recent evening is more than holiday cheer. The party’s host is a new art patron. Artadia: The Fund for Art and Dialogue, a national foundation active in four cities, plans to dispense $45,000 in grants to seven area artists in 2009.

The cash infusion, especially in these rocky times, is significant; philanthropy supporting individual artists is rare here. The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia’s Working Artist Project uses funds from the Charles Loridans Foundation to award three established artists a $12,000 grant, studio assistance for a year and a solo exhibit. Idea Capital, a grassroots effort begun this year, recently distributed $1,500 for its second round of grants to young contemporary artists.

Even more important, perhaps, is what Artadia gives to artists after the grant is awarded. Once an artist wins, he or she is forever entitled to the benefits of its national network of curators, funders, collectors and dealers.

“Artists tell me what they need is critical validation and broadened exposure,” says founder Christopher Vroom, an investment banker. “We want to make it possible for artists to feel they don’t have to go to New York to succeed.”

The financial model is unusual as well. Artadia, which is based in New York, runs its operation with funds raised by its board and national sponsors. The funds it solicits from local philanthropists go directly for grants and related programs.

“This is the most cost-effective way to support individual artists,” says Lisa Cremin, director of Metropolitan Arts Fund, a lead sponsor. “You don’t have costs of overhead, etc. In effect, every dollar raised is matched.

“The best way for artists to grow their careers is to link to national community,” she says. “With Artadia, they can build a network of support. And Atlanta gets into the national conversation as well, which is really important.”

Artadia executive director Lila Kanner says her organization has raised most of what it needs for the first round of grants, one of which will be named for late collector Judith Alexander, whose foundation is also a key supporter.

Applications, due Monday, Dec. 1 by 11:59 p.m., are culled to a 15-person short list by a panel of curators and artists in New York. A different panel will conduct studio visits with those artists before selecting the seven winners, who will be announced in March.

For more information: www.artadia.org.