Resources

Modern artists need help running their arts businesses, finding opportunities, and networks of like-minded people. Below are resources to help with these areas of working as an artist.

Artist Opportunities

Various calls for artists and employment opportunities in the D.C. area and sometimes beyond. Check this page often for updates and sign up for email reminders.

Artist and Arts Organization Resources

Business Development

 Resource Description
Allworth Press  Publisher whose books contain a broad range of subjects, from helping designers build their businesses to the world of performance art.
ArtsFairfax Creative Spaces Toolkit Information and guidelines to assist artists, arts organizations, and property owners in the activation of Fairfax County’s vacant spaces for creative community engagement.
Artsy Online art marketplace
Artsy Shark Art business resources, including business articles, consulting, marketing assistance, artist statement writing services, and online courses.
Artist Help Network Career resources for fine artists.
Artists Network  Print publications, online media, video education, and real-time experiences to empower artists with the techniques, knowledge, ideas, and inspirations that help ignite their visions and bring them to life.
Artists Rights Society The Artists Rights Society guides artists through the often obscure realm of copyright and intellectual property matters through licensing expertise, legal support, advocacy, and educational outreach.
Beltway Poetry Quarterly Online literary journal and resource bank
BizLaunch Launch and grow your small business; free educational workshops, marketing support, business resources, and one-on-one business counseling.
Candid  Data and training for nonprofits; Foundation Directory to find grants for nonprofits.
Chorus America  Chorus America supports and serves choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers with tools, training, peer networking, and access so that choruses are better able to contribute to their communities.
DIY MUSICIAN Articles about releasing music, music promotion, music rights, social media marketing for musicians, and music career tips.
Handmade Business How-to articles on all facets of handmade business management and related topics, relevant industry news, and information on current issues and trends.
music outfitters Curated musician resources including musician health resources, musician employment resources, music publishers worldwide, and more.
Musician's Way Curated list of links to music career resources, tool, advice, and guidance.
New York Foundation for the Arts In-person and virtual arts programs, services, and opportunities, tailored to the needs of the creative community of all disciplines.
 Proof to Product  Learn how to build a profitable product business in the wholesale market. Requires monthly fee.
SCORE Small business mentorship, workshops, and online resources.
Springboard for the Arts  Artist career consultations, legal resources and consultations for creative work, artist-created toolkits, workshops, and trainings.
U.S. Small Business Administration Counseling, capital, and contracting expertise for small businesses.
United States Patent and Trademark Office The USPTO is the federal agency that grants patents, registers trademarks, and advises the Administration, through the Secretary of Commerce, on intellectual property policy.
US Copyright Office  Learn about copyright; register your works.
Working Today  Education and services for independent workers (freelancers).

Legal Assistance

Legal Zoom – If your business, or even your hobby, involves creative work like writing, taking pictures, creating art, music, video or even architecture, then copyright protection might be something that applies to you. If you are the copyright owner of a copyrighted work, then you may have wondered about using the copyright symbol.

Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts

Training Opportunities

 Resource Description
Candid Learning  Free training and resources for nonprofit professionals designed to help you reach your goals
Skillshare  Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. On Skillshare, you’ll find inspiration from hands-on classes and teachers at the top of their creative fields, so you can take the next step in your creative journey.

The Whole Artist

Costume Rentals

Regional Costume Rentals (Includes Baltimore, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia)
Gene’s Costumes (Kensington, MD)
Artistic Costumes & Dance Fashions (Towson, MD)

Costume Rental Houses on the East Coast
Amalgamated Costume and Design Studio (Seaford, DE)
Pierre’s Costumes (Philadelphia, PA)
TDF Costume Collection (New York, NY)
Maine State Costumes (Brunswick, ME)
Goodspeed Musicals Costume Rentals (East Haddam, CT)
Broadway Costume World Collection/Rental (Pompano Beach, FL)

Other Costume Rental Facilities
Guthrie Costume Rentals (Minneapolis, MN)
Broadway Costumes Inc (Chicago, IL)
Lost Eras (Chicago, IL)
All Dressed Up Costumes (Batavia, IL)
OSF Costume Rentals (Talent, OR)
Western Costume (North Hollywood, CA)
United American Costume Company (North Hollywood, CA)
Valentinos Costume Group (North Hollywood, CA)
Eastern Costume (North Hollywood, CA)
Southern Costume Company (New Orleans, LA)