Emerging Artist Incubator Program 2025

SebArts Emerging Artist Incubator Program is designed to empower and support talented emerging artists on their journey to establish themselves as successful and sustainable artists by providing professional development. This comprehensive program encompasses various aspects of their careers, from artistic development to financial management and community building.

Generously sponsored by Creative Sonoma and the County of Sonoma

Program Duration: 3 months 

Size of cohort: 6 artists

April 1 - June 30, 2025

Definition of an Emerging Artist: Emerging artists are those in the beginning stages of making their work public and engaging the larger communities in their practice. Individuals at this career stage may have had a few public showings of their work, but do not yet have ongoing resources or support. 

Cohort will meet for  a minimum of 4 hours per week for weekly meetings and workshops, plus special events and exhibits.  

Program Details:

Module 1: Artistic Development

Objective: Enhance artistic skills and creativity

1.1 Studio Space: Provide access to a shared studio within the SebArts building in Sebastopol, CA. Monthly critique sessions with experienced artists to foster growth and exchange of ideas.

1.2 Mentorship: Assign each artist a mentor who is an established artist in their chosen genre. Regular one-on-one mentorship sessions to provide guidance and feedback.

1.3 Exhibitions: Artists work will be exhibited twice at SebArts during the cohort.

Module 2: Branding and Marketing

Objective: Develop a strong personal brand, effective marketing and storytelling strategies.

2.1 Assets: SebArts will provide artists with headshots, website and social media marketing support, and a collaborative calendar.

2.2 Kick off Meeting with an opening reception, photo opportunities, press opportunities. Introduce mentees/mentors to SebArts community.

2.3  Artist Statement and Bio - open to public 

Assistance in crafting compelling artist statements and biographies. Workshop on communicating the inspiration behind their work.

2. 4 Social Media Mastery - open to public

Training on leveraging social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, etc.) to promote artwork. Guidance on content creation, engagement strategies, and building an online presence.

2.5 Monthly Critique Salons - opportunities to present work to colleagues and receive feedback, practice speaking about work and defending artistic vision.  Open to the public.

Module 3: Finances and Bookkeeping

Objective: Learn financial management and responsible bookkeeping.

3.1 Financial Literacy - open to public 

Workshops on budgeting and financial planning. Introduction to pricing artwork, sales, and income management.

3.2 Bookkeeping Basics: Training on essential bookkeeping tools and software. Guidance on keeping track of expenses, income, and taxes.

Module 4: Developing Collector Relationships 

Objective: Build connections with art collectors and potential buyers.

5.1 Collector Panel: Collectors will speak to the cohort on why they collect, how they work with galleries, and artists.  Collectors will review the cohort's work in the studio.  

5.2 Networking Events: Cohort will participate in organizing SebArts art exhibitions, gallery visits, and art fairs to connect with collectors. Opportunities for artists to showcase their work to a wider audience.

Module 5: Exhibiting

Objective: Prepare artists for showcasing their work professionally.

6.1 Curatorial Guidance: Learn how to curate exhibitions, design gallery layouts, and hang artwork. Assistance in creating promotional materials for exhibitions.

6.2 Framing and Preparing for Exhibiting: workshop from professionals framers to frame and display work.

Module 6: Developing Community

Objective: Foster a supportive and collaborative artistic community.

7.1 Artist Gatherings: Regular meetings for artists to share experiences, collaborate on projects, and provide mutual support. Participation in SebArts art openings, events and opportunities within the Sonoma County arts community.

7.2 Community Engagement: Encourage artists to give back by participating in community art projects or workshops.  Assist in working on exhibition installations and community art practices.

Program Conclusion: At the end of the 3-month Emerging Artist Accelerator Program, participants will have not only honed their artistic skills but also developed a strong personal brand, financial acumen, and a supportive artistic community. They will be better equipped to navigate the art world and pursue successful and sustainable careers as emerging artists. Throughout the program, participants will receive ongoing support and access to resources to ensure their continued growth and success in the art world.

Application Requirements

 All applications must include the listed items at the time of submission in order to be reviewed, ranked and considered for the program. 

• Artist’s narrative - Applicants must provide a brief description of their background and focus. 

• Artist work samples - Applicants must include examples of their work. 

• Letter of support or testimonial - Applicants must provide a written signed statement from an individual or organization familiar with their body of work that can substantiate the artist’s practice, relevance, and impact in their community. The letter must include the writer’s name, title, and contact information. 

• Support materials - Applicants must supply a resume.  Applicants may also submit up to two additional supporting documents such as press materials, flyers, 3 brochures, programs, newsletters and other marketing pieces. More recent materials are preferred; however, we recognize that COVID-19 has impacted the amount of work created in the past three years. 

Application Review Criteria 

Applications from individual artists and culture bearers will be adjudicated by peer review panels convened by SebArts, and based on the following review criteria: 

• Creative Vision: Artist effectively communicates their personal story, artistic medium or practice, and long-term aspirations for their work. 

• Aesthetic Excellence: Artistic work displaying commitment, communal meaning, disruption, cultural integrity, risk taking, sensory experience, emotional experience, openness, coherence, resourcefulness, and stickiness. 

• Community Engagement and Social Impact: Artist effectively communicates their engagement with their community(ies) and the positive social impact their work has had locally, regionally, and/or statewide, addressing themes including but not limited to race, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Requirements

Sonoma County based artists, 18 years of age and older, working in any artistic discipline.  Available from April 1 - June 30, 2024.  Able to attend regular meetings at SebArts.

Residence 

Must I reside within Sonoma County, California to apply? 

Yes. The program recognizes that many artists travel to practice their work or are hired to bring their work to other communities, but this is a program for Sonoma County-based artists only. 

Profession 

Must I be employed professionally as an artist to quality? 

No, eligibility is open to professionals and non-professionals alike.

Are these fellowships for visual artists only? 

No. Artists engaging in all creative disciplines are welcome to apply and will be considered. In the visual arts, this includes not only painters, sculptors, illustrators, but also photographers, videographers, filmmakers and digital media, and crafts. Literary arts include but are not limited to writers of fiction and non-fiction, playwrights and screenwriters, poets and lyricists. Cultural practitioners are also eligible, including sustainers of indigenous and other cultures’ traditional rituals.