2020 Season

Dear UAN Artists,

It is following careful consideration and with deep regret that Urban Art Network is announcing the complete cancellation of our 2020 season. The small group of volunteer coordinators who run the First Thursday Street Gallery have weighed the responsibilities and risks associated with this time and feel this difficult decision is in the best interest of our artists and our community.

All pre-paid reservations will be transferred to the 2021 season. Although the policy on our website states we do not offer refunds it is important to say we are regretful personally and as organization that we are unable to refund every artist their funds at this time. Our philosophy keeps artist booth fees intentionally low and our resources are depleted each year from the costs of running our large scale event. Unfortunately, although our events were delayed, and now cancelled, the expenses required to run our events were not.

We are committing countless volunteer hours continuing to be a resource for artists. For artists in serious financial crisis we are offering a limited grant program. We are in the process of creating an application for this grant, and we will work quickly and keep you updated with our progress.

Urban Art Network is committed to using this time to build a stronger organization with added member benefits. We will shift our attention to building a stronger online platform with outreach and marketing that will serve a larger number of artists. We will focus our efforts on an inclusive, large-scale 20th anniversary celebration festival to take place in 2021.

Opportunities:

Urban Art Network has been invited to join the Pearl District Business Association Healthy Streets Permit. This will offer up to 5 artists weekly display and sales opportunities within the PDBA street closure throughout this summer. While await the Phase One opening in Multnomah County, the details of this opportunity are still being worked out. We are excited to offer this opportunity to Urban Art Network artists who wish to participate in 2020. Although this is a no cost opportunity, preference will be given to artists who had pre-paid for 2020 season. If you are interested in finding out more about this program please send an email including a high resolution image of your current work and your contact information HERE.

Website:

We have launched our updated website. We anticipate improvement in speed, accessibility and navigation. Please check your profile to make sure your information has transferred successfully and is updated. Our website now supports both online commerce and videos. Artists may now include YouTube and Vimeo in their profiles. This upgrade is a part of our commitment to growing our online presence so that we may better serve Urban Art Network members with improved virtual opportunities.

Mission Gallery and Individual Artist Funding:

These programs are designed exclusively to support artists. We are focusing on finding their audience and looking into promotion and marketing ideas to achieve success as we move forward.

The Individual Artist Fundraising has fully funded our first 3 artists modest funding requests. We are excited to have met those needs and will begin seeking resources to include future artists. You can find and share the past fundraising requests here:

https://urbanartnetwork.org/article/individual-artist-funding

The Mission Gallery, is our online gallery with a purpose. We have a collection of several truly beautiful works under 200.00. We feature the works on our social media and they are assembled together on our website. You can find and share the gallery here https://urbanartnetwork.org/mission-gallery

We are asking that you please share this information wherever you can in service to the working artists of our community who need extra support at this time. We very much want to continue these programs. Please join us in helping and supporting our amazing community.

Social Media:

Upcoming newsletters will share the progress and information we have about both virtual and in person opportunities as they arise. Planning for the 2021 20th anniversary Street Gallery Festival will begin soon and we will keep you updated. We hope you will participate and share in all of our efforts as we move toward brighter days.

Urban Art Network remains committed to having a positive impact on the needs of our artists. Our organization is designed in support of our individual artists.

Take great care, and please reach out to us with ideas, questions, concerns, or to touch base.

Looking forward,
Urban Art Network