Case Studies

Kathleen Foster
Kathleen Foster is a filmmaker who has been working with Artspire’s fiscal sponsorship program since 2002. She currently has two projects with Artspire: Afghan Women and Racist Surge – Myth or Reality.

Artspire has been the fiscal sponsor of my documentary, Afghan Women: A History of Struggle, from the very beginning. Being accepted to the fiscal sponsorship program enabled me to successfully launch this project.
It has been a long and successful partnership that began in 2002 when I spoke to then NYFA’s Media Specialist about the condition of women in Afghanistan and the recent U.S. invasion of that country. She listened and encouraged me to apply to the Fiscal Sponsorship Program, and helped me shape my thoughts into a coherent proposal.

The project involved a drawn out search for main characters, extensive research of facts and footage, a trip to Afghanistan and a lengthy editing process. Artspire’s support during that time was invaluable: the efficient administration ensured the program ran smoothly, and my production accounts were kept in excellent order.

Afghan Women: A History of Struggle was finished in 2007 and updated in 2008. It premiered at the Asia Society and has been shown at various festivals, colleges, community groups and churches since. Artspire continues to be of great support, giving me invaluable advice about continuing distribution and marketing.

I would highly recommend Artspire’s sponsorship program both to veteran filmmakers and newcomers.
 

Shaun Irons & Lauren Petty 

Shaun Irons & Lauren Petty are multi-media based artists who have been fiscally sponsored since 2003. They have several projects with Artspire, including Artificial Projects, The Rest is Silence and Revolving Twilight.

We are a collaborative team of media artists living and working in Brooklyn.
For every project, we do all of the creative work from conception to completion,
as well as all of the administrative work. At times, the multitude and range of tasks necessary to keep our art-making career moving forward is overwhelming. That is why we are so deeply appreciative to be connected with an organization like Artspire, which has given us tremendous support and assistance in our work and careers.

Since 2003, we have had three projects sponsored by Artspire. The connection with Artspire is a definite stamp of approval, lending our projects greater credibility in the eyes of funders, artist’s residencies, and exhibition venues.

All three of our sponsored projects have successfully generated funds through our relationship with Artspire. Our sponsored projects have also been honored with a variety of awards and opportunities including two NYFA Fellowships, funding from the Jerome Foundation, the Experimental Television Center, and the Asian Cultural Council, as well as artists’ residencies at Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony.

Over the years the people at Artspire have given us valuable feedback, enabling us to write competitive, clearly defined grant proposals. Artspire staff members have continually been enthusiastic supporters of our work, offering a wide array of assistance and advice. They care deeply and personally about the artists they work with and are always looking for ways to improve the sponsorship experience.