AVA @ the INCubator
“Learn to develop and refine your practice as an artist.”
Launched in 2023, AVA @ the INCubator is an artist mentorship program designed with emerging artists in mind. AVA recently restructured some of our programming which included phasing out our Art Loan Program in favor of a new partnership with the INCubator through the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce at the Hamilton County Business Development Center (BDC). This partnership creates new exhibition opportunities for our members and local artists. Started as “Art at the INCubator” by Gail Rich through JumpstART, AVA was invited to take over management of art displays in the BDC and will be shifting its focus to a rotation of regular, three month long small group exhibits in the two main floor lobbies and main entrance corridor at the BDC. The INCubator is an initiative that “helps entrepreneurs achieve success through a three-year, progressive development program that capitalizes on the synergy of the BDC’s unique entrepreneurial ecosystem, made up of about 50 startup businesses. They provide clients with shared administrative services, manufacturing and office space, training workshops, use of a state-of-the-art Technology Conference Center and access to free on-site business counseling from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center.” Located just down the street from AVA’s main gallery, the purpose and function of the INCubator space merges well with AVA’s goal of supporting local emerging artists through professional development and exhibition opportunities.
Emerging artists (whether AVA members or not) who do not currently have gallery representation are encouraged to apply with a current CV, brief artist bio and statement about their work, and five images that represent current/recent work. It is free to apply. If selected, artists will work with the AVA Curator and Education Director to draft or polish core artist documents, to ensure artists have quality images of their work, strategize potential targeted opportunities, and plan a small group exhibit in a cohort of four or five artists at a time in the INCubator space. The end goal of the program is the exhibit where all artworks are encouraged to be listed as “for sale” and for each artist to be equipped to pursue one of their targeted professional goals, such as applying for a grant or RFP, residencies, etc. It should be noted that when we use the term “professional,” we do not necessarily mean “entrepreneurial,” as an art business is merely one way to conduct an art practice. While AVA values different expressions, traditions and movements of art, due to the nature of this partnership with a municipal agency, we will be unable to accept artworks that favor a particular political or religious affiliation or that include nudity.
Once selected, the program is $100 to participate. Must be at least 18 years old to apply.
Please click the link below to begin the application process. Your application should include an up-to-date CV (PDF format), a brief artist bio and artist statement (also PDF) and five JPG images representing recent/current work. You will also be asked to articulate a particular personal professional goal for this program. Artists not selected for a particular rotation will be eligible for future rotations and applications will be kept for future consideration with the option of submitting updated materials. Once an artist has gone through this program, they will be ineligible to participate in this particular program in the future.
