Community Supported Art

40 North launched its inaugural Community Supported Art program in November 2014. Community Support Agriculture has become a popular way for consumers to buy seasonal food directly from local farms. With the same buy-local spirit in mind, Community Supported Art is a similar endeavor to support local art, artists, and collectors. Our program is modeled after the self-sustainable Springboard for the Arts CSA. Community Supported Art is an exciting new model of art support and distribution that supports artists in the creation of new work and establishes relationships with local collectors and patrons, and it’s a trending program all over the US!

How it works is simple: nine local artists are provided a stipend to create limited, unique-to-CSA, high-quality art work that is not available anywhere else. Interested collectors purchase a “share” at $300, and in return will receive nine pieces of local art, one from each artist.

Just starting an art collection? Not sure where to start? Looking to purchase local art that grows our local economy? Want high quality art but not sure where to get it? Looking for a unique gift for a loved one? A CSA share is for you! The work is created by high-quality established artists in Champaign County, who have proven record of selling work locally, regionally and nationally. This is your opportunity to get high-quality pieces that you can’t get anywhere else!

This program is intended to be self-sustaining. We believe that artists must be compensated for their time and talent. More than half of the income generated from the CSA goes directly back to the artists, while the remainder is used for marketing this program, pick-up events, and administrative costs. Like all of our programs, we want to provide the community with the highest quality programming without sacrificing one of our highest held values, compensating artists.

Purchase a Share 
For $300, CSA shareholders will receive nine high-quality, limited edition pieces from established Champaign County artists. Shareholders will also have the unique opportunity to build relationships with local artists and within the arts community, discover new artists, explore a variety of art disciplines, and support local artist’s careers and our vibrant community. 

Pickup 
A “crop” of art will be available for pick up at our office! 

Questions?
Email Kelly at kwhite@40north.org or call 351.9841. 

This local project is modeled on the Community Supported Art program in Minnesota, created by mnartists.org and Springboard for the Arts.


What is a CSA?
Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy seasonal food directly from local farms. With the same buy-local spirit in mind, Community Supported Art is a similar endeavor to support local art, artists and collectors. We are seeking artists, of all disciplines, to participate in 40 North’s third annual Community Supported ART (CSA) program.

Our local CSA program is modeled on Community Supported Art project created by Springboard for the Arts and mnartists.org in Minnesota.

Artists will be selected from a jury to receive a stipend of $500 to create 25 limited edition, unique-to-CSA art work that is unavailable anywhere else. As well as make great connections to local collectors and receive promotional support from the program.

How CSA works
Selected artists will create 25 “shares” for the program. A typical share will consist of a work of art/object of artistic production – multiples are encouraged, however creative ideas that translate your practice into this format or connect to themes like sustainability, farm, or food are also welcome. For example a limited edition of vinyl 7”, a run of screen-prints, series of small tea cups, run of photographs, tickets to an upcoming performance or event, letterpress editions of a poem or short story, or even 25 small original paintings. Collaborations between artists or work by collectives are also welcome. 

Interested consumers/collectors will purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a “crop” of locally produced artwork in the early Spring. The pick-up events are to be determined.

Benefits of the CSA program include:

For Artists

  • Support for the creation of new work 
  • Establish relationships with local collectors and patrons 
  • Participate in an exciting new model of art support and distribution! 

For CSA Members

  • Receive multiple works from local emerging and mid-career artists at a fantastic value! 
  • Develop relationships with the local artists and art community 
  • Discover new artists and explore a variety of disciplines 
  • Support local artist’s careers and a vibrant community

For questions, please email Kelly at kwhite@40north.org