Why Artdose?

Frank Juárez

Lately, I have been thinking about Artdose Magazine. Not sure if this is in response to new work that I am slowly creating based on the concept of absence, memory, and space, writing for a couple of other publications, or waiting to reveal some exciting news. 

Since day one the goal of Artdose has been to become a conduit for supporting artists, galleries, arts centers, art enthusiasts, arts professionals, and connecting the broader art community. Like many grassroot projects, a vision needs to be established. Our vision is to provide something that contributes to specific areas that needs critical attention – the visual arts and arts writing. 

Artdose is not just about being a regional art magazine. It is something bigger. It is about utilizing our resources to contribute to grow our [art] communities throughout the state of Wisconsin and across state lines. So much of what we do is guided by conversations, assessments, education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship.  Perhaps the drive for Artdose stems from my profession as a high school art educator. As you know, the arts tend to be at the forefront of being cut when budgets are on the line. This is something that we all face, which is why it is important to infuse our passion, energy, and growth mindset into our creative work to bring the change we want to see in our community, state, and region. 

I often get asked if I still make art. The answer is yes! In the same way that an artist uses paint to make a painting, I use Artdose as a platform to bring people together to engage in the cultural experiences and artistic practices that our contributors and artists offer with the hope of realizing how culturally rich our communities are and how much talent there is. Artdose is a passion project. I believe it is something that I need to do. In the same way that I advocate for my art students I advocate for the creative community through the lens of Artdose. 

In 2023 we celebrated our 10^th year milestone. Our journey ebbed and flowed. We pivoted and experimented with various ideas to keep it moving. For a split second, the thought of going digital did cross our minds, but we felt that providing an art magazine in print was the best way. As we continue in our path, we welcome new ideas. We believe the key to our success is to be collaborative, accessible, and committed. 

Today, our focus has expanded to include our neighboring states. We continue to publish our art newsletter Artdose Magazine Weekly, maintain an active social media practice, participate in sponsorships opportunities, spark collaborations, engage in advocacy, and continue to develop long-term partnerships.

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