September 30, 2024 – Keshet Dance Company and Center for the Arts has been awarded a Congressional Community Project Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, to support arts entrepreneurs via the Keshet Ideas and Innovation Community programming.
The Congressional Community Project Award recognizes and supports Keshet’s mission and unique programming, which champions the value of the artist and the arts economy. Providing technical support, arts business resources and workshops, and cohort-based residency learning opportunities, Keshet’s Ideas and Innovation Community supports performing artists and arts organizations at multiple stages within their careers and organizational development. Open applications for artist participation will begin this fall for programs such as Keshet’s Makers Space Experience, Hear Here Festival, and Choreographers’ Showcases. Through a range of residency programs, makerspace resources, technical support, and professional development access in both craft and infrastructure, Keshet continues to support the expansion of small businesses in the arts through this investment.
“We are grateful to Senator Martin Heinrich and his team for their continued advocacy and support of programming in our community which champions artists, entrepreneurs, and the creative economy. The funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration is timely and exciting as the Keshet Ideas and Innovation Community continues to grow in its reach and impact locally and nationally. I’ve been privileged to witness first-hand the power of these programs for our community and for the arts entrepreneurs we serve. Underscoring the creative energy of our State as a hub for dynamic and sustainable creative endeavors is an exciting opportunity for all of us involved in the Keshet Ideas and Innovation Community,” says Ana Lopes Aréchiga, Keshet Director of Programming & Engagement
The SBA funding will help Keshet provide targeted technical support for small businesses and arts entrepreneurs working in the creative industries in the areas of financial management, marketing and branding, industry best practices, and more. The programming supports the expansion of small businesses in the arts, job creation, and small business growth and sustainability. Workshops and trainings are provided through open workshops/classes and cohort-based learning residencies for arts entrepreneurs from throughout New Mexico and the United States through multiple residency programs, such as Keshet’s Makers Space Experience.
The Makers Space Experience is a 10-day intensive during which dancemakers and arts entrepreneurs are provided the community, structure of time, and guidance from which they can access all the above trainings as well as portfolio development support in an immersive learning experience. The cohort-based residency is structured to accommodate two cohorts, annually, and is intended for artists from across the United States, with prioritization given to New Mexico-based arts entrepreneurs and businesses.