A response to the Chicago Artists Coalition's website

The Chicago Artists Coalition is an organization that seeks to assist artists in the Chicago area in some of the more difficult aspects of their work, such as finding and procuring studio and exhibition space and relating to the public through their art. They are a nonprofit advocate group for artists, helping in ways that many artists do not have expertise in. I think that the CAC seems to fill a niche that I really had never thought of before, but that is very necessary in our culture.

In particular, one of the interesting things that I notice they have included on their website is a list of scholarships and other resources for artists looking to get started in their professional careers. I feel like this could be particularly useful to me as an artist at the beginning of my career because, instead of scanning the whole internet for some obscure scholarship or grant that I may not even be eligible for, I can use the CAC website to find relevant funds and programs that really will help me move forward in my career.

Along with the list of scholarships and other funding/residency programs, the Chicago Artists Coalition website lists deadlines and upcoming art shows. This can be useful for a small-time, inexperienced artist such as myself, because it can be difficult to stay informed of and keep track of various opportunities to get one's art noticed.

The CAC, as I said earlier, seems to fit a niche that many probably don't even realize exists. Without it, I am sure that many current artists would not be in the positions they are in, and that there would not be nearly so many recognizable opportunities for aspiring artists looking to make their ways in the world.