The Art of Money: Personal Finance Resources for Artists is a series of financial education events for artists intended to provide information and resources to help them address the tightening credit and decreasing resources that are the result of a rapidly changing economy. Over 350 artists attended the first two events, held at the Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem and LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Astoria (see attached article on the Astoria event from The Wall Street Journal).

Our next finance event is presented in partnership with the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2011, from 12-5 PM at BSRC’s location in Brooklyn (1368 Fulton Street at New York Avenue). We will offer a free day of financial workshops and counseling designed to help artists and independent workers from the creative field assess their personal financial status and determine their financial needs. Artists will be able to:

• Learn how to access and use credit, reduce existing debt, and plan for the highs and low of irregular income at one of our group workshops;
• Sign up for a free, confidential, one-on-one consultation with a financial counselor who can help them manage credit and debt and provide strategic referrals to other public and private resources;
• Learn about tax services and refunds for which they may be eligible;
• Meet representatives from organizations that can help them access the services they need to support their work in a fair-like setting;
• Network with peers at a networking reception sponsored by BSRC from 5-7 PM.

Introductions to the event will be made by agency commissioners, partner organizations, local elected officials, and special guests.