October 3, 2024
As you may have heard, Big Medium is going through challenging times, like a lot of other nonprofits and Austinites. Our funding has been tremendously affected over the last few years, for the remainder of this year and all of 2025 we won’t be receiving any funding from the City of Austin, and in the previous 4 years, we’ve only received $30,000 to produce the Austin Studio Tour and other programs. We haven’t stopped or decreased any of our regular programming that serves hundreds of artists, and tens of thousands of attendees every year, all the while with less staff. As we try to continue what we do, adjustments are needed and the most impactful change we can do at the moment is not printing the Austin Studio Tour catalog. What does that mean for everyone? There will still be a digital version of the catalog, a more robust website and app, and of course printed maps. Our digital team has been working hard and we are ready to test this format and take notes for the future.
Now is the time to support the future of the Austin Studio Tour and all the programming at Big Medium
We can’t do this without you. We invite you to become a member or donate today. Did you know that less than 1% of tour-goers financially contribute and make the tour possible? If we could double the number of supporters to just 2%, Big Medium could hire staff, broaden our support for artists, and ensure a better studio tour experience for the whole city!
The financial impact of the Austin Studio Tour is truly remarkable, serving as a vital lifeline for local artists and the broader community. Each year, the event generates approximately a million dollars in art sales and commissioned work, showcasing not only the talent of Austin’s artists but also their crucial role in the local economy.
This revenue is critical for artists, many of whom rely on events like the Austin Studio Tour to make significant sales and establish connections with collectors. The tour provides artists with a platform to display their work, engage directly with collectors, and receive immediate feedback. This direct interaction can lead to increased commissions and repeat sales, which are essential for sustaining their creative practices, retaining artists in Austin, and protecting the culture of our city.
August 28, 2024
BIG MEDIUM needs YOU right NOW!
Like every year, the Austin Studio Tour (the combined East Austin Studio Tour and West Austin Studio Tour) will bring art to all for two weekends in November, made possible by the immense work of Big Medium. The tour will remain free, and showcase over 500 artists in their home studios, galleries, and museums around the city, enabling an estimated 60,000 visitors to explore the sweeping diversity of Austin’s visual arts community. As you know this huge opportunity connects artists with the public and allows artists opportunities to make sales directly with collectors and without commission. Based on artist reports from previous years, we are projecting over $1 million in art sales this year.
As we prepare for this 22nd consecutive year of Studio Tour success, we must be transparent and let you know about the unexpected financial setbacks encountered over the past year. On top of an already lean financial position that many arts nonprofits deal with regularly, the setbacks include a fire at our newly built gallery, loss of significant and key funding sources, and uncertainty in the economy shifting philanthropic priorities.
The 2024 Austin Studio Tour will happen as planned, but it could be the last. This is the hard truth we must face together as we ask you to dig deep and donate funds today to stabilize Big Medium. We can’t do this without you.
All of Big Medium’s programs are at risk of ceasing. Including the artist in residence at the LINE Hotel, the experimental exhibitions in our gallery, affordable space for artists and organizations to create and exhibit, the $15,000 awarded annually through the Tito’s Prize, the $5,000 Oliver Franklin Award for women-identifying leaders in the arts, and the expansive Texas Biennial that provides emerging and mid-career artists opportunities to exhibit in museums across the state.
Now is a crucial time to invest in Big Medium’s vital role in helping local artists build their careers and increase public access to the art that enriches Austin’s cultural sector. Continuing our programming and invaluable support to artists depends on financial contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations. We have faced crippling challenges over the past few years, and the success of this campaign will determine the future of Big Medium. This makes your support more urgent than ever.
Please make your donation today to help sustain Big Medium’s work and keep art for all growing strong.
All of us at Big Medium deeply appreciate your support.
Shea Little
Executive Director
Coka Treviño
Curator and Artistic Director
The Board of Directors
Jaime Castillo
Courtney DiSabato
Nkiru Gelles
Bita Ghassemi
Shawna Hills
Andrea Moo-Young Bermudez
Moyo Oyelola
Agustina Rodriguez
Janine Sisak
Jana Swec