BUILD YOUR ARTIST COMMUNITY
About Crit Connection
In January of 2021 Ruth Lantz started building a project to connect artists for conversation and critique. After several months of pandemic solitude, and in need of some way to connect – as well as some fresh eyes on her work, Ruth knew that she couldn’t be the only one with this feeling so Crit Connection was born. Rising from a place of need as well as a place of hope she started a community of artists finding new avenues for connection, learning, and understanding. Artists have always needed the support of other makers and Crit Connection’s support is even more crucial today in this decentralized and often disconnected world.
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How IT Works
Crit Connection is networking and resource-sharing for artists. Each month participating artists are paired and e-introduced to one other artist. Once the introduction has been made, the artist pair is responsible for deciding how they would like to interact. For example, they can have a virtual studio visit, an IRL studio visit if they happen to live in the same city, proofread an artist statement or grant proposal, share a book list etc. Each pair decides the amount of time and engagement they want to devote to each particular match. It seems that most artists opt for virtual or IRL studio visits.
There are artists participating from the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands.
INCLUDED
Monthly One-on-One Connections with another Artist
Membership on an invite-only Networking Site with other artists dedicated to cultivating community and support
Access to a Professional Development Curriculum with modules on topics such as: “Approaching Galleries”, “Finances”, and “Writing Newsletters”.
1 Monthly Group meeting to share resources or discuss universal topics such as Organization, Mental Health, or Artist Statements.
Numerous shared resources including organization templates, a curator list, and opportunity listings.
The generosity of artists around the country to help you advance in your career and support your creative growth.
COST
$36 a year or $3 a month
Our mission is to provide equitable and affordable community professional development to artists. Each month of Crit Connection is cheaper than a single cup of coffee! This tiny fee helps us maintain the website, network, and manage emails.
Criteria for Crit Connect Members
Do you have a working professional website
Are you actively seeking shows with a 2 year + record of exhibiting
Are you generous and community minded
TESTIMONIALS
“I joined Crit Connection during the earlier part of the pandemic, and those virtual visits were critical to staying motivated and sane during an incredibly challenging moment in time. It’s been wonderful to stay involved, meet artists I’ve remained in touch with and supportive of, and to see how various circles of artists overlap and intersect.” - Jane O
“I have been participating in Crit Connection for over 2 years and it has become a very important part of my studio practice. Getting and giving feedback has accelerated my progression as an artist and as a person – being a part of a like-minded community focused on generosity has helped me to be more generous. I have made lifelong friends through this program and it seems that with most of the places I travel, there is someone I can visit that I met through Crit Connection. I give infinite thanks to Ruth for running this program and allowing me to be a part of it.” -John S
"In this high-paced era of distractedness, I find that Crit Connection's one-on-one virtual conversations are one of most meaningful opportunities for connection to others in the art world. Each month, I look forward to a new pairing, a new opportunity to share, learn and connect." - Ahna G
