With support from the California Arts Council, WOMEN ECO ARTISTS DIALOG (WEAD) will increase our staff capacity to meet the needs of our growing network of women-identified artists (especially those who are marginalized by low income, race, gender, disability, or other barriers), who focus their creative practice on ecological art and social-justice art. WEAD will address these issues intersectionally with a grass-roots networking and mentorship strategy, low-to-no cost professional development programs, and educational programming.
Staff will manage day-to-day operations, (including communications, publications, website, and memberships), adding both financial and organizational stability. This will enable our working Board to focus on our ecological and social-justice mission, sustain our current programs to provide professional development opportunities at low-to-no cost for socially-engaged artists, and develop new initiatives which are designed for underserved communities.
WEAD programs and services include:
– Web-based Portfolio Directory, allowing all members the opportunity to have a web-based portfolio, which is especially important for marginalized women
– This searchable database facilitates networking between artists, curators, researchers and others.
– Annual juried membership exhibition, and occasional special exhibits
– Curatorial development program, through which members are mentored to create a WEAD members exhibit in their home region nationally or internationally
– Lecture series “Art And …” , featuring women artists on topics such as “Art and Science” or “Art and Education” or “Art and Healing”, etc.
– Annual Magazine on critical topics in ecoart and social justice art, featuring artists and writers who work on the chosen annual topic.
– Other various networking opportunities, workshops, and events.
Membership fees can be subsidized for women who cannot afford them.

