Image: Installation shot of Art Like Love (ALL!) featuring work by Pioneers Go East Collective, Mark Tambella, and notpaulsimon.
A LOOK BACK ON 2023
It has been a BIG YEAR! Let’s celebrate what we have accomplished together!
IN 2023, COLLAR WORKS….
Grew by 62%! We welcomed over 3,000 in-person visitors to our programs and engaged over 40,000 people online. We saw a 44% increase in interest in our programs and services- we need to grow our resources to meet this demand!
The artists of EAT ME! curated by Natalie Kates. Find a complete list of featured artists here.
Worked with over 200 artists through our exhibitions programs and events, including the Flat Files, Object Lounge, Bring Your Own Crit Nights, and 5 major gallery shows.
Re-distributed over $20,000 in stipends to emerging artists and curators. Raised over $2,000 for Ma’s House BIPOC Residency and the Free Food Fridge Albany while fiscally supporting the Box Party Collective with a $5,000 grant sponsorship.
Continued to cultivate a global network of artists! 55% of the artists we support are from New York State- of that, 22% represent the Capital Region! The remaining 45% of artists come from across the US and around the world.
The artists of our first residency session in summer 2023.
Supported 20+ artists and 5 artist families at the Elizabeth Murray Artist Residency (EMAR) providing time, space, nourishment, community, and care.
Received a significant sustaining gift from philanthropist Agnes Gund in support of EMAR. This gift kickstarted a sustainable capacity fund that will give yearly support to Collar Works into perpetuity. Her belief in Collar Works’ support of emerging artists affirmed our purpose and direction, setting the stage for transformational growth!
Artist Victoria van der Laan installing her FLOCKart exhibition Volumes in Spring 2023.
Adopted FLOCKart, a mobile gallery and education-based community engagement residency program in a renovated shipping container. We supported 7 artists-in-residence AND purchased a second unit to participate in Upstate Arts Weekend in collaboration with partner organization Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW). Our two FLOCKart units will finish the 2023-2024 school year at Woodland Hill Montessori and Clover Pond Vineyard while we make plans for Fall 2024.
Artist Jesse Alsdorf with his new work from the art swap!
Launched the Annual Great Art Swap of Troy, NY, which brought in 300+ visitors and over 70 participating artists. We celebrated creativity and built connections in our community!
Our TV dinner plates created by chef Brandon Schatko for Collard Greens!
Hosted our 14th episode of Collard Greens: Dinner + Dialogue with our EAT ME! exhibition curated by Natalie Kates. Who knew in 2016 we would start a local trend, bringing together talented chefs, art, and conversation in an intimate gallery setting.
Reinforced our belief in making opportunities accessible. This year, we removed barriers by eliminating fees for participation, making all of our open calls free to apply for the first month, and introducing a pay-equity scale for special events. We continue to offer no-cost residencies and work to be W.A.G.E. complaint across all our programs.
Members of Pioneers Go East Collective Joey Kipp, alexa grae, and Daniel Diaz.
Deepened our partnerships in the community by sharing resources and space with Troy Foundry Theatre, Pioneers Go East Collective, Salem Art Works, SUNY Albany’s Curatorial Practices Class, RPI Electronic Arts, The Box Party Collective, I Was Here - A film by Noëlle Gentile, Free Food Fridge, Upstate Book Club, C.R.E.A.T.E Community Studios, and MORE!
Installation view of EAT ME! curated by Natalie Kates.
Closed our chapter at 621 River Street and partnered with C.R.E.A.T.E Community Studio to take over the space and expand in Troy, NY! C.R.E.A.T.E offers low-cost and free art workshops and groups, community wellness activities, and open studios to promote art-making and the creative process as a vehicle for personal growth, communication, and social change. Our missions of providing accessible programs and opportunities for expression are synergistic and we are so excited to work with them and welcome them into the Collar City!
Announcing the new CW headquarters! Learn more about the project here.
Began the process of purchasing, renovating, and preserving the historic Neemes Iron Foundry in Troy, NY as our NEW HEADQUARTERS - a contemporary art campus that will be a community hub for innovation and creativity. This new facility will include a large gallery, innovation LAB, affordable artist studios, retail, a taproom, and an outdoor art yard for programming and gathering. The possibilities are endless and we can’t wait to welcome you in!
Finally, we embarked on a transformative 10.5 million dollar campaign, ‘The Future Fund’ to expand our programming, increase our core capacity, provide new opportunities for emerging and underrepresented artists, and build a new home for the Collar Works community.