Local Non-Profit Offers Unique Resources for Artists

Last month, a few dozen people met at a South End home for an evening of art, hors d'oeuvres and most importantly, conversation. Discussion centered around the host’s vast collection of artwork from around the word. By the end of the night, countless connections had been made.

The event was the first in a series of “Friendraisers” put on by ARTmorpheus, a South End non-profit that strives to connect people in the community with each other through art. Future events will be open to the public as a way to foster collaborations and improve community dialogue among artists, businesses and residents.

For founder Liora Beer, that’s what ARTmorpheus is all about.

“Collaboration and partnership would really benefit everybody,” she said in an inerview from her office at the . “There are such great benefits in getting people together.”

Since starting ARTmorpheus two years ago, Beer has provided over 400 artists with the resources they need to succeed, whether it’s connecting them with free legal aid, hosting a workshop on affordable health care or inviting a guest to share best practices on drafting an artist’s statement or creating a LinkedIn account. Many workshops are offered for free or at a low rate and no artist is ever turned away, Beer said. She recalled a recent series of financial training workshops that drew participants from every corner of the city.

“You almost have to be here to see it,” she said. “We have a room full of people who in many cases have never been to a theatre, mixed with artists, a student…we have people of every culture, every age.”

“I looked in the room and said ‘Wow, this is really interesting,’” she said. “That’s the kind of thing that makes me happy.”

ARTmorpheus is currently incubated at the Boston Center for the Arts, which invited the non-profit to set up shop in a small office adjacent to the Mills Gallery back in 2009. Recently, the BCA invited Beer and her team to remain in the space for a long-term partnership. 

“They feel like our missions are compatible,” Beer said. “They have been a wonderful supporter of ARTMorpheus. When we run programs…we can sometimes use [rehearsal] space. That’s how we can keep things really affordable for artists.”

Moving forward, Beer and her two interns are looking for ways to involve the entire community in their efforts. In addition to hosting more “Friendraisers” the team hopes to reach out to businesses and residents to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Beer, who worked in the city’s business development office for nine years, is a firm believer in the power of the arts to impact economic development.

“Wherever communities of artists thrive they create a hotbed that recruits businesses [and] restaurants,” she said, “and areas that become hotbeds of creativity and innovation are better places for people to live.”

For more information on ARTmorpheus or to contact Liora Beer, click here.