Vermont Business Magazine For the first time ever, Burlington City Arts is opening up its annual art auction to the broader community by moving it online. Typically an invitation-only event hosted in a private home, the auction is live now through Tuesday, September 29.
Featuring over 60 local artists working in a variety of media, including landscape photographs, abstract prints, handmade jewelry, and ceramics, the auction will support the exhibiting artists by sharing up to 50% of the value of art sold with the creator (unless the piece has been donated by the artist or collector, in which case BCA will receive 100 percent of the proceeds).
Proceeds will also benefit BCA’s education and scholarship fund, which provides access to arts-based learning for community members of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay.
“What we’re doing this year is different not only because of the 50/50 split with artists, but also because this event is online. Anyone in the country—or even the world—will be able to view and purchase the art,” said Doreen Kraft, Burlington City Arts Executive Director. “This auction is a chance to support the arts while bringing some new art into people’s lives. We’ve been hearing that people are wanting to freshen up their walls after so many months working from home. They also recognize that artists, and arts organizations like BCA, need our support now more than ever. It’s a real win/win/win.”
Last year, 11,800 community members made art with BCA education programs in elementary and preschool classrooms, at community events, and in BCA studios. In addition, 1,382 youth and 280 adults benefited from the BCA education and scholarship fund, which supports educational programming and provides free and reduced tuition to summer camp and year-round classes. Even though Covid-19 has greatly reduced the number of participants in BCA’s arts-based learning programs, costs are still high due to losses in registration fees, an increased need for supplies like PPE and individual art kits so that students don’t share materials, and more frequent cleanings. Proceeds from the art auction will help cover some of these losses.
The auction is more than a benefit for BCA; it’s also providing much needed exposure for working artists. Participating artists are grateful for the expanded reach of BCA’s virtual art auction. “It’s a great way to bring artists, art students, and the public together under one virtual umbrella,” said Gail Salzman, a teaching artist in BCA’s adult education program. “I experience firsthand the reality that many of our most dedicated and productive artists would not be able to take classes without some financial help. BCA’s scholarship program has been a game changer for them.”
The auction can be found at charityauction.bid/BCAVirtualArtAuction2020.
About Burlington City Arts
Burlington City Arts is dedicated to connecting community to the arts through creation, experimentation, and education in all forms of contemporary art. BCA offers exhibitions, special events, classes, workshops, and many other activities in Burlington.
Source: Burlington, VT–BCA 9.22.220