In the past few years, restaurants have been undeniably dominated by the farm-to-table trend, where reclaimed barn doors serve as tables and mason jars are filled to the brim with ice water. But more than just aesthetics, the trend reflects our newfound interest in seeking local, sustainable food, grown by farmers in neighboring communities. One of the many positive outcomes in this interest is a resurgence in community-supported agriculture (CSA), where consumers receive a monthly lot of produce through purchasing shares in a farm. Such a refreshing change in consumer behavior didn’t go unnoticed by Betsy McDermott Altheimer, associate director for an artist service organization called Springboard for the Arts, located in the Twin Cities. Altheimer had a realization that what works for farmers could work for artists. “We should just do a CSA!” she exclaimed in an interview with American Craft Magazine. “Only this time, the ‘a’ would stand for ‘art.’”
Altheimer believes that food systems are the perfect metaphor in the reality of today’s art scene. “People have this mythical notion of what a farmer does. In reality, there is a lot of risk. You can’t guarantee every crop will be successful,” says Altheimer. “Likewise, an artist can’t guarantee that everything he does will be great. But he can ask people to invest in the value of what he does.” Each season, nine artists participate. By signing up for a $300 share, a patron receives nine original works, plus admittance to three parties where the artists will be in attendance. Of course where the program seems a little less than ideal is the artist’s commission — for producing 50 pieces, he or she will only receive $1,000. But it’s up to the artist to create small, sensible works with a budgetary restriction in mind. The hope is that the artists will pick up new fans and patrons who will continue to follow and collect their work beyond the CSA share. “Our version of success is when the relationship continues beyond us,” affirms Altheimer.
Just as you won’t love everything delivered in your monthly farm CSA box — kale can get very, very tiring after four months — you might not enjoy every piece of art received in a share. But in this case, it seems like it’s the point of the matter — in the end, you’re supporting an artist’s pursuit of their passion. Just like a farmer who receives the extra cash flow needed to sow another acre, an art CSA might be an innovative means of keeping the arts thriving on a local level.
More Noted Posts | Art Category
Chappell Ellison is a designer, writer and design writer. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York where she serves as a contributor for The Etsy Blog and design columnist for GOOD.
86 comments
Sign in to add your ownKettleConfections says:
I think we'll start to see more CSA types of ventures cropping up soon, now that the internet makes it so much easier for people to find artisans who specialize in goods and services they are seeking and to unite buyers and sellers offline as well.
173 days ago
Decaldecor says:
Great farmer analogy~ .
173 days ago
BunnySafariPottery says:
This is brilliant! I have been thinking along these lines too. Many of us are lucky to have collectors who act as benefactors, who I am very grateful to in their support of my ceramic and photographic development.
173 days ago
MootiDesigns says:
Great post. Thanks for sharing!
173 days ago
KONTAKT says:
Great!
173 days ago
FreshFromtheFlame says:
Very interesting.
173 days ago
VeraVague says:
i like the idea, and i personally would want to support an artist to whom a thousand dollars would be a great help in their lives. my favorite local artists in town here are part of the mental rehabilitation program. they do some amazing work, and create so much of it.
173 days ago
NecessiTees says:
What a wonderful idea!
173 days ago
moonandsundries says:
There's a new CSArt being started in western MA for 2012. Check out the brand spankin' new website: http://www.sparkartshare.com/
173 days ago
scarletbegonia11 says:
This is such a great idea!
173 days ago
FranceGallery says:
An interesting idea!
173 days ago
NaturalandVintage says:
what a wonderful idea!! although the individual artwork isn't terribly expensive, it sounds like a great sample of what artists can do.
173 days ago
VIZArt says:
great article! thanks for a positive blog post about art and artists.
173 days ago
AlpineGypsy says:
Wow. *Very* interesting idea! Whatever gets people buying more art, and more artists making more art is a great idea to me. Thanks for the food for thought. Heidi
173 days ago
angelspin says:
Very interesting article
173 days ago
theroyal says:
sustainable agriculture is so important. thanks for bringing CSAs to light.
173 days ago
itselemental says:
For those of us who enjoy good food and good art (and supporting the creators, at the local level) this is so very cool... and I also love the "agriculture-art" analogy!
173 days ago
AvianInspirations says:
A very cool way to support local artist!
173 days ago
Heysailorvintage says:
This program is a great way to make art more accessible to a broader market, especially being that it is so affordable!
173 days ago
FreakyPeas says:
love this idea! hope to see it around soon!
173 days ago
reeanne1 says:
As a member of a CSA (food) I love this idea. We are working on something similiar in my shop. So far I have 4 people contributing either time or pieces to our shop with the understanding that 5% of all sales will go to a local charity,We also do this with our event floral company. As a work-a-holic it makes me feel less guilty about donating time, and I get to work with fellow artist. Life IS good. Thanks for your blog.
173 days ago
gaiaconceptions says:
I love this idea !!!!
173 days ago
OldBarnCrafts says:
Wonderful idea!
173 days ago
stitchinsnitch says:
this is brilliant!
173 days ago
bedouin says:
agreed ~ We've come a long way in the last twenty five years. We are now starting to value ourselves as we discover taking care of the planet and recognizing the value in all life forms. A small movement ex: is even in Berkeley Ca twenty five years ago we used to stuff the car with our recycling with kids sitting on the piles and drive to the one recycling center in town once a week. Its now the norm for curb side recycling and mind set. Who wouldn't want this type of movement to go forward.Win Win. Interesting and poignant times.
173 days ago
SlippinSouthern says:
I think for a csa to be a success it would very important that the administrators or caretakers totally understand both sides of the concept. There are so many personalaties involved on the artist side and the patron side that have to work together seamlessly for this venture to be a success. It sounds like a great idea. I'd love to have the art work at the end.
173 days ago
allisonostertag says:
I'm trying this out in my shop now: http://www.etsy.com/shop/allisonostertag?section_id=8108253 http://www.etsy.com/listing/83496333/collectors-circle-one-year-of-5-x-7-fine We'll see how it goes! -Allison
173 days ago
katrinaalana says:
Great concept! Helping artists gain exposure and possible patrons is such a worthwil endeavour. Go CSA!
173 days ago
elizenazelie says:
an amazing idea! i hope it takes off
173 days ago
PennyCandyPress says:
Whoa, what a great idea! I've been in 'farm country' all of my life and, while these places aren't exactly great art markets, it's easy to see this idea (if presented properly) actually creating markets where none AT ALL existed before.
173 days ago
sunshinepark99 says:
Great! I like the idea.
173 days ago
RetroRevivalBoutique says:
Sounds like such an interesting idea, and I'm all for artists gaining exposure. :)
173 days ago
pinksnakejewelry says:
Interesting Concept !!!
173 days ago
GUOCRAFTS says:
This is such a great idea!
173 days ago
ArchaicGoods says:
What a fun idea! Have to think how i could play with it, as an artist and a musician...
173 days ago
vinskord says:
Excellent idea! Very interesting post!
173 days ago
PoetryofObjects says:
We even have a doctor in our community that is offering basically a CSA for his clients...pay $500 a year...and see him all you want/need.
173 days ago
BCtwo says:
interesting idea.
173 days ago
slatevintager says:
Love the idea!
173 days ago
HandicraftsByIris says:
Very good idea; wish there was one here locally.
173 days ago
theEmersonian says:
amazing! love articles like this--gives me hope... i wish i had some power to set something like this up around oklahoma... hmmm maybe someday! thanks for sharing :)
173 days ago
RossLab says:
This is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing, Chappell.
173 days ago
HolyLandSouvenirs says:
Great post. Thanks for sharing!
173 days ago
evarios says:
Very interesting!
173 days ago
expressyourself says:
Great idea!
173 days ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Great idea! It takes the pressure off being an artist to an extent if you can regularly produce to order...
173 days ago
Apseed says:
Wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing!
173 days ago
GrowingPhasesFarm says:
Very unique concept indeed ... taking it a step further - combining the 2 ... CSA for both farmers and artists
173 days ago
AlisaDesign says:
Cool!!!
173 days ago
Furiousdreams says:
An old idea made new again - I love it!
172 days ago
j9ro says:
food for thought...nice
172 days ago
LilachOren says:
Such a wonderful idea!!
172 days ago
TreasuryShop says:
Great concept, great ideas!
172 days ago
hminniear says:
I love this idea, and I wish there were something like it in my area!
172 days ago
BatesMercantileCo says:
it's always a good thing to make art more accessible to more people. AND to get the community involved.
172 days ago
ethniquetrendy says:
interesting
172 days ago
ShoeClipsOnly says:
What an awesome idea for supporting local artists!
172 days ago
NicoAndMooMoo says:
it is a great idea to reach a broader audience in an alternative, creative way!
172 days ago
shopcuriosities says:
Very interesting concept and analogy. I think it could work very well.
172 days ago
leslieholz says:
I think this is a fabulous idea - and the atmosphere is perfect now as you mention with all the focus on local, community support. I wish you great success!!!
172 days ago
ArtDecoDame says:
what a great idea!
172 days ago
joyceweaver says:
This is a great way to bring new patrons into the art world & "teach" folks how to appreciate and purchase original art! Thanks for sharing!
172 days ago
andi3kosa says:
intristing...
172 days ago
MishaGirl says:
Interesting concept!
172 days ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
I love the idea.
172 days ago
curlymodesigns says:
Very cool
172 days ago
BeadSoupJewelry says:
Wonderful, Thank you for sharing!
172 days ago
contagious says:
A lot of my friends are involved in the CSArt here in Nashville: http://seedspace.org/?p=36
172 days ago
TastefulThings says:
great post, thank you for sharing!
172 days ago
FluffyFlowers says:
wow. interesting idea. the csa model has successfully been applied to so many different fields. it would be great to see it succeed with art.
172 days ago
myvintagecrush says:
Great idea.. I'd like to see this!
172 days ago
BundlesofBlossoms says:
My business is all about the farmer, country life, art, & artisans. I feel our world is finally recognizing and once again evolving for the good. This is a very interesting read.
172 days ago
BundlesofBlossoms says:
My company is all about farming, art, artisans and I totally understand this. It looks like our world is evolving to the good once again. This was a great read.
172 days ago
BlueSquiggle says:
Thanks for info! I didn't know this kind of thing existed for artist as well!
172 days ago
jadewolf06 says:
I love this concept.
172 days ago
SomethingColorful says:
This is amazing! I'm glad to see others are on the same page. One of our local farmers markets is staying open until Dec 17th and now it is mainly local arts and crafts that are being sold for the holidays. There are also some farmers who have cold weather produce. The arts and crafts are actually coming from the same farmers who sell produce all summer long. A lot of them are husband/wife teams and kids are also thrown into the mix. they have a day they let kids rent stalls for $5 and sell their arts and crafts too. It's adorable and people love it!
172 days ago
SomethingColorful says:
I forgot to say the farmers from that farmers market have a summer CSA, but they were trying to come up with one for gift baskets for winter that would have arts and crafts from the farmers market. It could have everything from produce, to breads, canned goods to art.
172 days ago
door3 says:
Looks like mnartists.org JUST posted it's Call for Artists for the 2012 CSA season. Any Twin Citians out there? (I'm wondering how I can give this as a Christmas gift.)
172 days ago
GothBarbie says:
This is really cool - especially if you can gather artists with similar aesthetics so buyers can be somewhat assured of getting things they'll enjoy displaying in their home! If someone comes up with a goth CSA I might be tempted to buy into it!
172 days ago
leviweinhagen says:
Go here to see a list of CSArt programs across the country and to see how to get the toolkit to start CSArt in your community: http://www.springboardforthearts.org/csart
172 days ago
amyriceart says:
I was one of the first round CSA artists and more recently a juror. It was a great experience! Yeah for Minnesota!
172 days ago
Iammie says:
Love the idea.
172 days ago
NewelryJewelry says:
Very nice article! Food for thought!
171 days ago
OnlyOriginalsByAJ says:
Great article! You make a lot of important points! Thanks for posting!
171 days ago
rhndy1031 says:
He who has an Art as EVERYWHERE a Part Proverbs
168 days ago
onelonelyapricot says:
Neat idea! I would love to read more about how it turns out.
168 days ago