Beyond the curtain: How 15 Valley artists are building sustainable careers
Earlier this summer, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, a Springfield nonprofit, announced the members of the ValleyCreates 2026 Capacity-Building Cohort. Those members are rapper and producer A U R of Springfield; multidisciplinary artist Gri Martinez Saex of Springfield; multidisciplinary artist Julieth Cabral of Wilbraham; singer Taija New of Chicopee; photographer and community organizer Talysha Rivera of Springfield; poet, open mic host, and yoga teacher Camille Asia of Northampton; multidisciplinary artist Elayna Jason of Northampton; dancer and choreographer Francesca Baron of Northampton; rapper Tableek of South Hadley; illustrator Kalyani Kastor of Deerfield; actor and drag performance artist Patric Madden of Northampton; actor Sabine Denise Jacques of Amherst; potter Vivian Gay of Plainfield; multidisciplinary artist María Sparrow of Buckland; and multidisciplinary artist Tony(a) Lemos of Conway…
More than a membership: How ‘AMP it Up!’ is weaving a stronger arts ecosystem in the region
The Northampton Center for the Arts is transforming individual creative passion into long-term professional sustainability with the launch of its inaugural Artist Mentorship Project. By providing a mix of professional development, increased visibility, and inclusive performance and exhibition opportunities, the program is designed to empower local artists while simultaneously strengthening the arts ecosystem in the region.
The Northampton Center for the Arts (NCFA) recently announced the first cohort of the program, also known as “AMP it Up!”, which will provide a year of holistic support for artists in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut…
The Real Story: Francesca Baron and Kaela Norwood present FUSED
Luckily, the world of concert dance is brimming with brilliant emerging choreographers, and thanks to the inherent collaborative nature of the art, these emerging choreographers sometimes find the perfect partner to split a production with. That is certainly the case for choreographers Francesca Baron and Kaela Norwood — two up and coming choreographers who are getting ready to present their split-bill, FUSED, at Links Hall on Sunday, November 10, 2019. DancerMusic Dance Editor Kristi Licera recently had the chance to talk to Francesca and Kaela about how they came together, as well as learn more about the works they are presenting. Here’s what they told us…
Performance Opportunity Project (POP) Presents WOMEN IN MOTION Review– BOLD, DARING VOICES
Performance Opportunity Project (POP) serves to provide space, support, and subsidized rates for independent artists and NPO’s in the New York City dance community. Women in Motion has supported over 150 female-identifying choreographers for more than nineteen years. Women in Motion commissioned the three artists that were highlighted in this performance. In an industry that has issues with gender inequality this particular POP series, located at Gibney’s Black Box Theater, highlights the many voices of successful women choreographers in the field. It was an evening chock full of innovative, daring works, which this reviewer heartily recommends…
Complexions Contemporary Dance Presents WOKE and BACH 25 Review – Empowering, Transfixing
The company members of Complexions Contemporary Dance dazzled with their extraordinary physical strength and heart as they danced such physically demanding numbers. Complexions state that they wish to “remove boundaries, not reinforce them.” They also explain that the company “blends methods, styles, and cultures from across the globe, and the result is a continually evolving form of dance that reflects the movement of our world.” All of this and more was apparent with the works presented on their Program B…
Meet Francesca Baron
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Being an artist in this time can be scary and quite difficult. As it goes, many artists have an “unconventional” work life which typically includes 2-4 different jobs that supplement our way of living. With dance especially, it can be hard to find both the time and the funds to take class, attend intensives/workshops, and watch performances, all of which are essential in continuing to learn and grow as an artist.
I enjoy getting to know everyone’s story because no two trajectories are alike. This should come as a relief to all artists in knowing there is no right or wrong path to success. “If there is a will, there is a way” and people make time for the things that they want in life…