February 2020
J. Ross Parelli
Artwork by Jane Ingram Allen. Photo credit: Timothy S. Allen
Artwork by Aliyah Sidqe
Sascha Molina
Sacramento Artist-in-Residence Program Set to Launch In All Council Districts

February marks the launch of Sacramento Artists-in-Residence, a new collaboration between Sacramento Metro Arts and the Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment (YPCE). Nine artists have been selected to bring music, spoken word, visual and environmental art, and technology to public spaces throughout the City. Artists will take part in six-month residencies, working with community members to shape programming that invites local participation and creative expression. While most of the programs will take place within City community centers, other projects will happen at the 28th & B Skate Park, Sojourner Truth Community Garden and North Natomas JIBE. For a complete list of artists and description and community sites, see Sacramento AIR .  
Teaching Artist Training Program

Now in its 11th year of programming, Metro Arts’ Any Given Child Program has identified training for teaching artists as its top professional development priority. This year, ten teaching artists have formed a cohort to enhance their teaching skills and develop curriculum for the classroom. They are working with Kennedy Center arts educators to complete a four-part Residency Design & Lesson Planning Seminar, developing new arts residency plans which they will hone and present for critique in demonstration classrooms. Any Given Child brings music, dance, theater, and spoken word artists into more than 80 elementary and middle schools annually throughout the County. For more information on the program or becoming an Any Given Child teaching artist, check out the Any Given Child page on our website. Applications for new teaching artists will open in May 2020. 
New Exhibition Now on View at SMUD Gallery

The Sojourner Truth Museum: A Celebration of African American Art , is now open at the SMUD Art Gallery, 6301 S Street, Sacramento. The public is invited to meet the artists and view their work at a FREE opening reception on Tuesday, February 4, from 12pm - 1pm.

This exhibition showcases the artwork of Sacramento area artists, affiliated with Sacramento’s Sojourner Truth Museum , in honor of Black History Month. Initiated by SMUD’s Black Employee Resource Group (BERG), the exhibition is designed to open minds and change lives through the exploration and celebration of African American history, artwork and culture, as it relates to their colleagues and the community they serve. 

The exhibition includes paintings, drawings, ceramic, quilts, and mixed media artwork by Sacramento area artists: AAli De Sousa, Talver Germany, Joha Harrison, 
Jeleana T. Johnson, Ebony London, Kanika Marshall, Shonna McDaniels, 
Taylor Pannell, Aliyah Sidqe, and Gerry GOS" Simpson. 

Where : SMUD, 6301 S Street (near 65th Street)
When : January 31 - April 2, 2020. Gallery hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm
Reception : Tuesday, February 4, 12pm - 1pm
Former Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commissioner Book Signing

You are invited to a discussion and book signing for Dr. Michael Marion's "A Sketch," at Underground Books on Saturday, February 15, 2pm - 4pm. This is Dr. Marion's first book of poetry selections. To learn more and reserve your seat for the event, click here .
Residencies, Artist Calls & Opportunities

Call for Proposal - Museum of Moving Image (Astoria, NY)
Deadline: February 15, 2020
Museum of the Moving Image invites proposals for a site-specific commission of a new media artwork to be completed during a 3 week residency at the Museum, from emerging artists who are first or second generation immigrants.


Residency at Sharpe Walentas Studio Program (Brooklyn, NY)
Deadline: February 15, 2020
The Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program residents are selected annually based on merit from a competitive pool of applicants by a professional jury.


Call for Art - Chico Art Center (Chico, CA)
Deadline: February 23, 2020
Two juried exhibitions for contemporary sculptures of all media by artists living in California (one month gallery exhibit, six month outdoor exhibition) hosted on a hops farm in north Chico.


RFQ - Higgins Greenway Public Art (Cary, NC)
Deadline: February 23, 2020
The Town of Cary desires to integrate public art into the Phase III new segment of Higgins Greenway, to focus attention along the history cemetery.


Call for ArtResidency at 36 Chase & Barns
Deadline: February 28, 2020
The residency is primarily designed for visual artists, writers, independent curators and art historians. Writers and art historians who are conducting research and criticism specifically addressing the many overlooked contributions of female artists, artists of color and artists from the LGBTQ communities are strongly encouraged to apply.


Call for Art - SlowArt Productions (Hudson, NY)
Deadline: February 29, 2020
SlowArt Productions presents the group thematic exhibition, Arte Natura. This competition to open to all artists working in all media.


Residency at Djerassi (Woodside, CA)
Deadline: March 16, 2020
Djerassi Program is designed as a retreat to pursue personal creative work and share collegial interaction within a small community of artists.


Call for Art - Dayton Society of Artists (Dayton, OH)
Deadline: March 22, 2020
The Dayton Society of Artists (DSA) is accepting submissions for "Intertwined," a national call for fiber arts. All artists 18 years or older residing in the US are eligible.


Call for Exhibitions - YoloArts (Woodland, CA)
Deadline: Ongoing
The Barn Gallery and Gallery 625 are accepting proposals for each gallery. Proposals are reviewed quarterly by the Arts Committee and recommendations are made to YoloArts staff for approval.


For more calls, residencies, and listings, please check our website , which will be updated regularly with more opportunities.
Articles of Interest

How AB5 Has Instilled Fear and Confusion in California's Arts Community
" Assembly Bill 5 is intended to reduce worker misclassification, making it harder for companies to treat workers as independent contractors. Signed into law in September, it establishes a test to determine if workers are employees who should receive minimum wage, paid sick days and other benefits.But the law’s ambiguous language — specifically the use of the phrase 'fine artist' without actually defining the term — already had led one opera company to postpone a production, prompted other small arts organizations to consider cutting programs and sent others scrambling to raise more money to comply with the law." 


Erie Art Museum Director Departs After Thousands Sign Petition Over Misconduct Complaints
“'I worked in the NFL for five years,' Alicia Parks, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader—who was a subordinate of Helmer’s at the Philadelphia Museum of Art—told the New York Times , 'and no one spoke to me in a way that made me feel that uncomfortable.' At least three other coworkers claim they notified the institution’s management about Helmer’s conduct, with at least one complaint dating back to 2016. While the status of the complaints is unknown, Helmer resigned in 2018 for undisclosed reasons and was tapped to lead the Erie Art Museum a few months later."


Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley's Portraits of the Obamas Get a National Tour
“'Since the unveiling of these two portraits of the Obamas, the Portrait Gallery has experienced a record number of visitors, not only to view these works in person, but to be part of the communal experience of a particular moment in time,' said Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, in a statement . 'This tour is an opportunity for audiences in different parts of the country to witness how portraiture can engage people in the beauty of dialogue and shared experience.'”