Strive to Thrive

February 26, 2025

I Work with Artists:

Staffing

Staffing capacity plays a crucial role in how effectively an organization can meet its mission and support those it serves. This section of the survey invites reflection on whether staffing levels, expertise, and time allow for meaningful engagement or if limitations create barriers to impact. Are employees stretched too thin to be effective? Does turnover disrupt consistency and growth? Is there enough expertise to provide quality support, or are key needs going unmet? At its best, staffing enables collaboration, innovation, and deep engagement. Where does your organization currently stand, and what steps could strengthen its capacity?

ENGAGE WITH THE SURVEY

TAKE THE SURVEY

TAKE ACTION

Staffing

If you are SILENCED....

consider this video, Stop Trying to Motivate Your Employees

If you are STRUGGLING...

consider this guide with worksheet, Assessing Your Operational Capacity

If you are SURVIVING...

consider watching this video, Future of Artist Residencies

ARTISTS THRIVE SUMMIT SPOTLIGHTS

Artists Thrive 2025 Summit

May 6-8, 2025 Kansas City, MO

New Pilot Program

Summit Student Coaching

Want to make a real difference in the lives of emerging artists? Join our new student coaching program! We're partnering with KCAI to connect their students with experienced professionals like you at the Artists Thrive Summit (May 6-8, 2025, Kansas City, MO). Share your expertise and receive $50 off your Summit registration.

Learn More

Learning Journey

KCI Airport Art: A Thriving Public Collection

Embark on a captivating walking tour of the Kansas City International Airport's impressive art collection. This immersive experience will guide you through the terminal and parking garage, showcasing a diverse range of works by renowned artists such as Willie Cole, Soo Sunny Park, and Leo Villareal. We'll also delve into the history of significant legacy pieces located on the airport grounds, including major works by Joel Shapiro and Alice Aycock. Please wear comfortable shoes as there’s a lot of walking!

ARTISTS THRIVE COMMUNITY

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

LIZ STOOKEY SUNDE

Tell us about yourself.

As the daughter of Noel "Paul" Stookey (of 60's folk trio, Peter, Paul & Mary), Liz Stookey Sunde has been surrounded by musicians who dedicate themselves and their music to causes. She co-founded Music to Life (MtL) with her father to connect social change musicians with the resources needed to realize their bold visions for community change. Together with a diverse network of artists and industry leaders, MtL offers leadership, mentoring, and entrepreneurial training opportunities to help musicians across genres, geographies and generations partner in strategic and sustainable ways with organizations and communities facing persistent economic, environmental, or racial injustice.

What makes you Thrive?

I thrive when I tune into the stories of creative entrepreneurs, helping them recognize and harness their own power - those seeds of ingenuity - that will offer resilience and financial sustainability to themselves and the communities they serve.

Where can we find your work?

Website: https://www.musictolife.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusictoLifeOrg

Instagram: @musictolife_org

YouTube: @MusictoLifeOrg

WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THIS NEWSLETTER?

We’d love to showcase YOU (or your arts organization) in our newsletter! Whether you're an artist or part of an arts organization, we want to highlight your work and impact. Interested?

Submit Here

Artists Thrive Monthly Meet Up

Join us for this month's virtual meet up with Artists Thrive community members

March 17, 2025 at 4PM EST

SELF-CARE CORNER

Road Weary: The Mental Health Challenges of Touring Artists

Touring performers face thrilling highs but also deep struggles—exhaustion, loneliness, and unseen mental health battles. Substance abuse and strained relationships are common, with few support systems in place. Some companies are changing, but is it enough? A closer look reveals the hidden cost of life on the road.

Mindfulness Activities

Daily Meditation & Contemplative Practice Offerings: Breathing breaks, reflection journaling, monthly morning practice, midweek mantras, mindful drawing, and meditation. This is a virtual offering from Pratt Institute and is free & open to all.

SELECT OPPORTUNITIES

A few featured grants, residencies, creative job postings, and more.

Grant Opportunity	Eligibility	Deadline	Grant Amount
The Forgotten In-Between: Collection 5	sculpture, painting, drawing, performative arts, music, written work, textile arts, ceramics, mixed media, prints, digital art, short films, and most anything else you can imagine	3/1/25	Work exhibited
2025 SFCB Book Arts Mentorship Award	mid-career and established artists from underrepresented communities to learn from skilled professionals in the bookbinding, letterpress, and artists book fields	3/2/25	$3,000 stipend
National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices	Sculpture, installation, drawing, video, and photography. Must incorporate iron.	3/3/25	Work exhibited
City of Laramie: 3rd Street Gateway WYOMING	Wyoming, public art	3/3/25	Up to $300,000
Central Oregon Community College: Madras Campus Expansion Public Art	Oregon, public art	3/7/25	Up to $30,000
Lawrence Arts Center - Ceramics Residency	ceramics, MFA	3/10/25	Studio space, a $1,500 monthly stipend, furnished housing, and more
National Endowment for the Arts: Creative Writing Fellowships	prose (fiction and creative nonfiction), poetry	3/12/25	$50,000