Exactly one year ago, the doors to the Kairos Guild (my local arts non-profit in Massachusetts) were quietly unlocked.
We didn't launch with a loud PR campaign or speculative promises. Instead, we spent the last twelve months quietly laying the administrative, educational, and physical infrastructure required to build a new paradigm for visual arts stewardship.
Looking back at our first year, the progress across our core tracks has established a massive baseline (in no particular order):
Proving the Commercial Engine: We launched our first independent artist online gallery integration, validating our marketing framework. Our featured artist with whom we have been testing infrastructure and business constructs, unlocked her first sale hybrid sale with pieces introduced in-person and a four item sale completed online the day her web gallery launched. Artwork commissions have blossomed. And last month she participated in her first art festival. The festival organizer commented, “You must have done this a lot to be so perfectly professional!” to which we replied, “Nope, first time.”
The Spatial Map: We deployed the Axis Mundi map, establishing a digital foundation to document places of personal inspiration and renewal. Some you will recognize, others will be new. The web connecting these places becomes visible as you add your own.
The Institutional Credentials: To ensure our operational frameworks match world-class standards, advanced certifications through the the Sotheby’s Institute of Art (Art Business) was completed and the MIT Sloan School of Business (Arts Entrepreneurship) will be completed this month.
The Art Adoption Network: We formally chartered our very first physical Kairos Kabinet placement in Massachusetts within a public library. Over 100 local art assets have already been pooled to prepare for our initial physical launch of this civic installation. Partnerships with artists and art institutions nationwide were established. Three additional charters are being discussed now with future stewards in DC, CA, and FL. We are in the final design phase for the sculpted doors, which need to hold up to a 200,000+ opens and closes.
Awe-to-Action: We launched the Kairos Challenge to document moments when a profound experience of awe or wonder led to a positive effect, a transformation. Anyone may participate.
Establishing the anchors: Our tri-spiral symbol comes from a 5200-year-old stone carving in Ireland. This was hand-sculpted into a piece of white gold jewelry and carried back to Ireland where it was connected with the original. These three spirals represent the past, present, and future. Where they meet in the center represents the moment of transformation where we are able to connect with all possibilities in creation. You’ll see more about creative anchors (like the library stone and the heart lens) in the future.
Knowledge Base: We published 5 resource-rich articles with tools for artists and institutions to help move the industry forward with less struggle. There are 14 more articles queued already. These will be published in a free, online, searchable knowledge base. Additionally we were invited to present a webinar for a professional group of art fair directors. Those participants received 5 handouts as permanent references for improving their events. We’ve now been invited to deliver an arts business workshop to a regional arts society group.
Under the Tent: The ArtsKairos Festival has been meticulously designed as a new model for art fair events where the organizer’s role is a partner in the participants’ success rather than just as a landlord. The jury prospectus and artist prospectus are completed. The event site is selected. A date will be announced sometime in the future. This festival connects Awe-to-Action via profound experiences with artworks.
The Real Unlocking
It’s easy to look at all these milestones as separate business developments. But they all point towards a singular, deep objective.
We are unlocking a structured, disciplined channel for the immense creative energy that independent artists have felt to be limited by the established systems.
A Look Ahead
As we step into Year Two, the infrastructure phase concludes, and the execution phase begins. The doors are permanently being propped open.
We currently have another 7 distinct initiatives moving through the development pipeline, ranging from a highly specialized art brokerage concept designed to match legacy collections with fresh environments, to a massive cultural stop-loss initiative with a global corporate partner. (more details on developing projects if you ask) The very latest initiative has a high potential to generate revenue to support many of the infrastructure projects that do not. Stay tuned for the ShoYu Gallery, a satirical, 3D virtual world with real art and unreal stories.
To our early enthusiasts, artists, and testers: thank you for stepping into the circle. The foundation is built. Now, we move thoughtfully forward.
Future monthly editions of the Kairos Katch-up will likely be much more compact. We had a lot to cover this time. Please explore all the links to individual projects. There’s a lot of information on our web site with still more to come. This catch-up was high-level, so you are invited to ask for more details if anything mentioned interests you.
Co-creatively,
Paul Garcia, Executive Director
The Kairos Effect: Art, Transformation, Renewal