Free Programs for Artists
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Build community, develop skills, and advance your career through our comprehensive collection of free programming designed to support artists at every stage of their journey.
Community-Driven Support
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Every week, we offer opportunities for artists to connect, learn, and grow together. From structured conversations to global collaborations, these programs create the foundation for lasting artistic relationships and professional development.
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100% Free • No Cost • Open to All Artists
Weekly Support & Learning
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Consistent, ongoing programming that fits into your weekly routine and builds community over time.
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Community Conversations
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Every Tuesday, 11am PST on Zoom • FREE & Open to All
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The studio gets quiet. Your brain starts spinning with questions nobody prepared you for in art school. We gather because these questions are easier together.
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Topics we explore:
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Artists and money (pricing, taxes, grants)
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Beyond social media strategies
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Networking for the socially anxious
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Exhibition proposals that don't suck
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Photographing your artwork professionally
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PR and marketing that doesn't feel gross
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Self-care, FOMO, and artist guilt
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New tools like AI for artists
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Different topic each week. Same supportive community.
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How it works:
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When: Every Tuesday at 11am PST
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Where: Zoom (link sent day before)
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How long: About an hour
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Who: Open to all artists and art workers
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Your weekly reminder that you don't have to figure this out alone.​
Monthly Connection & Practice
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Monthly opportunities to practice professional skills, build connections, and develop long-term artistic relationships.
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Studio Visit Exchange
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FREE Program • Open Internationally
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Connect artists with other artists AND art professionals for meaningful studio exchanges. Whether you're paired with a fellow artist or an art professional like a curator, gallerist, or arts writer, you're both visitor and host. You figure it out together.
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How it works:
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Sign up: Fill out our Google Form
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Get matched: With artist or art professional
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Connect: Schedule your exchanges directly
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Meet: Virtual or in-person studio visits
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What you'll practice:
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Give compelling 5-minute overview of your practice
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Talk about your process without getting lost
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Handle questions about your work with ease
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Create welcoming, professional studio environment
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Navigate having someone new in your creative space
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Build lasting professional relationships
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Who you might be matched with:
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Fellow artists exploring similar or different practices
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Curators discovering new talent and perspectives
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Gallerists building authentic community connections
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Arts writers deepening understanding of artistic process
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Art professionals seeking collaboration opportunities
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Open internationally! Sign up as many times as you want. Each exchange brings new perspectives, fresh connections, and different learning opportunities.​
Community Resources & Connections
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Practical support and connections to help artists navigate daily challenges and build networks.​
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Artist Database
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Connect. Discover. Get Discovered.
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The Shoebox Artist Database is a free, searchable resource connecting artists with curators, gallerists, and art enthusiasts worldwide. Born from the daily requests we receive to recommend artists for specific projects, themes, or mediums, this collaborative database empowers artists to represent themselves while making discovery more accessible for everyone.
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For Artists: Gain visibility in a professional database used by curators and gallerists actively seeking new talent. Submit your work, artist statement, and contact information through a simple form, and become part of a growing community of artists at every career stage.
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For Art Professionals: Search by location, medium, subject matter, or style to discover artists whose work aligns with your curatorial vision or gallery programming. Each entry includes clickable image links, complete contact information, and artist statements.
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How It Works: Our database is built as an accessible Google Sheet that requires no special software or accounts. Simply use your browser's search function (Ctrl+F or Command+F) to find artists by keywords like "ceramics," "mental health," "Chicago," or "emerging artist."
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Open to All: This resource is completely free and open to artists internationally. We welcome creators at every career stage working across all mediums and exploring diverse themes.
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Get Started: Artists can join by completing our intake form. Art professionals can access the database immediately to begin discovering new voices for their projects.
The strength of this database grows with community participation. Please share this opportunity with artist friends and colleagues to help us build the most comprehensive and inclusive artist resource possible.
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Artist Rideshare
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FREE Community Connection
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Connect with fellow artists for shared transportation to gallery openings, art events, museum visits, and professional appointments. Build community while reducing costs and environmental impact.
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How it works:
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Post or find rides to art events
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Share transportation costs with fellow artists
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Build connections through shared experiences
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Expand your network while getting around the city
Global Collaboration
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International artistic exchanges that transcend geographic, cultural, and economic barriers through collaborative creativity.
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Call and Response
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FREE Global Program
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Global artistic collaboration at a distance. Drawing inspiration from jazz tradition and surrealist practices, we randomly pair artists for intensive two-week creative collaborations that transcend all boundaries.
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500+ Artists • 6 Continents • 20+ Themed Rounds
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Since 2020, connecting artists worldwide through transformative collaboration.
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How it works:
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Random international artist pairing
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14-day intensive creative dialogue
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Daily work exchange in any medium
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Themed rounds exploring urgent social issues
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No fees, applications, or gatekeepers
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Cultural exchange through creative process
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Past themes have included:
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A Multicultural View (cultural exchange)
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Opulent Mobility (disability arts)
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Changing the Climate (environmental action)
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Coming Fall 2025: Five powerful new themes exploring the human experience: Food, Age, Death, Birth, Pride.
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The Impact: Decreased isolation, expanded practices, lasting relationships, and gallery exhibitions from continued collaborations.
Artwork by Scott Froschauer
Ready to Get Started?
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Start with any of our free programs and experience the power of artistic community. No commitment required - just show up and connect.
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Questions about our programs? Email shoeboxartsla@gmail.com or join our Community Conversations every Tuesday at 11am PST for real talk with fellow artists.
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Ready for more support? Explore our Artist Support Membership for comprehensive weekly programming and professional development.