New England Sculptors Association Inc.

NESA is seeking support to expand our long-term capability to introduce and involve children, adults, and families to the visual/sculptural arts through community engagement, high-quality arts' programming, and dynamic exhibits in under-resourced and under-served New England communities and neighborhoods. Defining Success: NESA works with our partners collaborating communities to define success and how it's measured at the local level. We are happy to talk with prospective collaborators and funders about NESA's artistic and community engagement criteria.

In 2014, NESA began developing a comprehensive strategic agenda aimed at repositioning the organization for long-term sustainability and ensuring that NESA’s focus and programming remains first-rate and future oriented regardless of societal, technological, economic, or the fad in the art world. The board recognized that while NESA’s basic direction was sound, there was concern that we might be relying on old assumptions to plan the future. After taking a hard look at NESA’s management/operations, financials, organizational structure, and programming, the board concluded that several operational and programming changes were necessary to both maintain the current momentum and to expand into other areas. Over the next 12 months and beyond, NESA will continue advancing its artistic mission by providing support to our member artists, creating new exhibit models, and diversifying exhibit venues as in the past. On the innovative side, we aim to develop two to three authentic collaborations with Greater Boston area arts, civic, and community-based organizations that have an interest in improving public access and engagement through innovative place-based arts initiatives initiatives that go well beyond exhibits and "one-off" art events. General strategy: - Continue to mount four to six high-quality exhibitions and installations, annually, across New England that will increase public access, appreciation, and enthusiasm for the sculptural arts. - Develop a minimum of three substantive community partnerships in New England cities and towns to create ongoing place-based events in collaboration with NESA’s world-class artists. - Work in concert with local community leaders — civic, arts, education, philanthropic, business, non-profit organizations, and government — to identify geographic areas, commercial districts and/or neighborhoods that lend themselves to public art installations, events, ongoing activities, and larger events. - Implement place-based programming In partnership with New England communities that engage residents of all ages in a range of ongoing learning and doing activities, fun events, and lasting art and community experiences. Note: One-size doesn't fit all,While their are many, many strategic options in NESA's "tool kit," we prefer to first meet with prospective partners and collaborating communities about local needs, their goals and ideas for exhibitions and community-engagement programming. We are happy to talk with prospective collaborators and funders about NESA's specific strategies for the above.

We are happy to talk with prospective collaborators and
funders about NESA's specific strategies for the above.

NESA has mounted over 200 regional exhibits, activities and, events over seventy years that have raised awareness about the visual arts and contemporary sculpture, increased community exhibit access for people of all ages to enjoy and participate in the sculptural arts, and helped student, emerging, and professional artists to show their art and learn from their peers. Not a bad legacy! We are happy to talk with prospective collaborators and funders about NESA's recent accomplishments.