Heart of Art—Mentoring Emerging Artists

By Meghan Joy “MOJO” O’Keefe

This week, we are focusing on the most rewarding action an arts council takes: Providing technical assistance to emerging artists.

First, let’s cover the definition of an emerging artist. Oftentimes (but not always), emerging artists are youth and young adults. They have a vibrant and still evolving creative voice that is in a state of rapid growth. At this time, artists need encouragement, empathy, advice, and constructive criticism (not judgment or discouragement).

Emergents are still fine-tuning their practice and their work, and that is partly why it is a crucial time for technical assistance and mentorship. We can all do our part to step in and support developing artists. We have a creative crisis on our hands: Swaths of artists give up in the face of discouragement from societal norms and often from the people who love them the most.

But this isn’t personal; it’s business. Can we afford to have a stifled economy? The arts—which contribute more to the GDP than transportation, tourism, and agriculture—are being hindered by societal norms that view arts careers in a negative light (SOURCE: Americans for the Arts). Those biases have measurable impacts on the bottom line. Communities with fewer arts businesses tend to lose arts tourism dollars to those where the arts thrive.

As the Executive Director of the Amador County Arts Council (Amador Arts), I am regularly in conversation with emerging artists who need a little help getting their arts businesses off the ground. Over the last two years, I have observed a notable increase in young adult artists in Amador County grappling with various questions about how to move forward with their arts businesses. That is why I am collaborating with Amador Arts to provide a new monthly program for emerging artists: ARTS BOP.

ARTS BOP is a conversation group where we discuss the Business of Art. Having been trained by the Center for Cultural Innovation, I will utilize their Business of Art curriculum in a casual, monthly discussion group for artists who want to learn best business practices. We will cover taxes, invoicing, contracts, marketing, budgeting, long-term planning, and other key areas of focus. All types of creatives who want to build an arts business are invited to participate.

Launching on October 21, ARTS BOP will begin with an introduction to the space and the curriculum. In subsequent sessions, we will work our way through the Business of Art book, and there will always be time for pressing questions from participants. Amador Arts serves as a hub for these emerging artists to connect while learning about business, opportunities, and partnerships.

ARTS BOP takes place on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM at the Amador Arts office—24 Main Street, Suite 2, Jackson, CA 95642. This monthly discussion group (starting October 21) is free for Amador Arts members and $5 for non-members. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own note-taking materials, snacks, and beverages.

Emerging artists right here at home are dreaming of launching beautiful and creative businesses that will be the future of arts tourism throughout our region. Amador Arts will be here to support them and ensure they have the professional development they need to excel. If you’re interested in being part of our work, please visit our website at amadorarts.org and contact us at (209) 256-8166 or info@amadorarts.org.

Amador Arts has been the designated State Local Partner for Amador County since 1982 and works to advance arts, culture, and creativity for all people by providing resources, opportunities, and Professional Development. 501c3 #94-2811333.

This article was published in the Ledger Dispatch newspaper on October 17, 2025; click here to read the story on their website.