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Artlink Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that promotes the downtown Phoenix arts community. Artlink invites artists, arts entrepreneurs and businesses that contribute to our vibrant downtown culture to become Artlink Articipants. Articipants can take advantage of a variety of promotional opportunities throughout the year like First Friday, Art Detour and more.
As Artlink gears up for the Third Annual Art d’Core Gala (Feb 21, 2014) and the 27th Annual Art Detour (Mar 7-8, 2015), registration to become an Artlink Articipant is now open. Based on different categories (Artists; Galleries/Art Spaces; Restaurants/Bars/Retail), Articipants receive a wide range of year-round benefits designed to help promote their arts and culture endeavors (beginning February 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016).
“The programs promoted by Artlink are tied to the activity of this arts community,” said Catrina Kahler, Artlink Board President. “Artlink supports the effort of artists and businesses in the creative sector to produce diverse and accessible arts experiences for the public throughout the year.”
Signature Events
Art d’Core Gala: In partnership with the Office of the Mayor, Downtown Phoenix, Inc., Artlink and other community partners host an exceptional celebration that spotlights the significant contribution of the arts in creating a dynamic urban core. The festivities include music and dancing; fabulous food and drink; a special address by Mayor Greg Stanton; and an eye-popping virtual tour of downtown art spaces.
Art Detour: Art Detour is the event that launched the First Fridays Art Walk phenomenon. The annual event provides the public with an opportunity to meet visual artists in their working environments, to invite questions about their work and their work processes, and to see into the creative spaces tucked throughout downtown Phoenix that are not generally open to the public.
First Fridays Trolley Tour: Over the past two decades, the First Fridays Art Walk has evolved into major monthly celebration that draws anywhere from 12-20,000 people every month. Artlink provides complimentary trolley service that enables the public to pick up a First Friday map, park and ride from four information hubs, and hop on/hop off at galleries all along the way. The trolley circulates throughout downtown connecting downtown arts venues and districts, from the Phoenix Art Museum, to the popular Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue arts districts, as well as CityScape, the Warehouse district, and the Arizona Center. Knowledgeable docents staff the trolleys and help guide new and returning visitors.
Year-Round Benefits
While Art Detour and the Art d’Core Gala remain signature events for Artlink, the organization’s programs have expanded to provide year-round promotional opportunities for downtown artists and arts spaces.
These opportunities include a Pop-Up Gallery program that features exhibitions of local artists in unique and nontraditional public spaces; guided Downtown Art Tours that shine a spotlight on artists and galleries; an annual Juried Exhibition; and a variety of calls for artists throughout the year.
In addition, restaurants, bars and other downtown retail spaces benefit from year-round promotion on the Artlink Art Detour maps, First Friday maps, and the Artlink website, as well as additional promotional opportunities that will be rolled out over the coming months.
The registration deadline is January 7, 205. Get full details on Articipant levels and benefits at http://artlinkphoenix.com/articipants/.
