Founded in 2023 with the core belief that being an artist is enough. Artist Resource Network provides education services, cash grants, opportunities to share and sell art, and any kind of support possible for creatives. While the initiative didn't reach the scale hoped for, it remains a heartfelt commitment to supporting artists whenever possible.
Artist Resource Network was founded in 2023 with a simple but powerful belief: being an artist is enough. The mission was to provide comprehensive support for creatives through education services, cash grants, opportunities to share and sell art, and any kind of support possible for artists navigating the challenges of creative work.
The initiative aimed to create a network where artists could access resources, connect with opportunities, and receive the support needed to continue creating. While the project didn't reach the scale originally hoped for, it successfully supported numerous artists through events, grants, and direct payments, demonstrating the value of artist-focused support systems.
Artist Resource Network remains a heartfelt commitment. While not a rich man and unable to generate the widespread support that seemed like a no-brainer for supporting amazing creatives, the mission continues to inspire. The opportunity to give back to artists whenever possible remains a priority, even as the formal network structure didn't achieve the traction originally envisioned.
The Regenerate festival in Civic Center Park was one of the first major events produced with Artist Resource Network as the purpose. The festival brought together approximately 20 different live painters, all absolutely amazing artists, creating a vibrant showcase of creative talent in the heart of Denver.
The event provided a platform for artists to create live, share their work, and connect with the community. The gathering of talented live painters in one space created an inspiring atmosphere that demonstrated the power of bringing artists together and providing them with opportunities to showcase their craft.
Regenerate Festival exemplified the Artist Resource Network mission: creating spaces where artists could share their work, connect with audiences, and receive the support and recognition they deserve. The event was a success in demonstrating what's possible when artists are given platforms to create and share.
The Balkan Bounce event was a more intimate gathering, a backyard barbecue party with Balkan Bump that invited all kinds of amazing artists to come together, be fed, get down, and have a good time. This event embodied the community-building aspect of Artist Resource Network.
The focus was on creating a relaxed, supportive environment where artists could connect, share food, enjoy music, and simply be together in community. Sometimes the most valuable support for artists is simply providing space, food, and good vibes where they can connect with each other and feel supported.
The Balkan Bounce event demonstrated that artist support doesn't always need to be formal or structured. Sometimes the best way to support creatives is to create spaces where they can gather, share resources, and build community. This event was about feeding artists, both literally and metaphorically, and creating an environment where creativity could flourish.
Mystic Passage was a particularly special event that went along with the MAPS psychedelic conference in 2023. The event was held at the Church of Cannabis and featured an immense projection mapping space, bringing approximately 20 artists together to create, share, and sell their work.
The event combined art, technology, and activism in a powerful way. Not only did artists have the opportunity to showcase and sell their work, but the event also included a fundraiser where each artist was able to decide how much of their painting sale would be donated, with all proceeds going to support psychedelic legalization.
Mystic Passage demonstrated how art can be a vehicle for social change. By allowing artists to choose their own donation percentages, the event empowered creatives to participate in activism on their own terms while supporting a cause aligned with the psychedelic community. The combination of projection mapping technology, live painting, art sales, and fundraising created a multi-layered experience that supported both artists and the broader movement for psychedelic legalization.
Through these events and other initiatives, Artist Resource Network was able to pay out approximately 50 to 60 artists and provide a few small grants. While the financial support wasn't as extensive as originally hoped, the impact on individual artists was meaningful. Each payment, each grant, and each opportunity to share and sell art represented a step toward the mission of supporting creatives.
Artist Resource Network was founded with the belief that being an artist is enough, and that artists deserve comprehensive support through education, grants, opportunities, and any kind of assistance possible. The initiative successfully produced meaningful events, supported numerous artists, and created spaces for creative community to flourish.
While not a rich man and unable to generate the widespread support that seemed like a no-brainer for supporting amazing creatives, Artist Resource Network remains something held in the heart. The mission continues to inspire, and the opportunity to give back to artists whenever possible remains a priority. Even though the formal network structure didn't achieve the traction originally envisioned, the commitment to supporting artists continues in whatever ways are possible.
The events produced through Artist Resource Network—Regenerate Festival, Balkan Bounce, and Mystic Passage—demonstrated what's possible when artists are given platforms, support, and opportunities. While the initiative may not have reached the scale originally hoped for, it successfully supported numerous artists and created meaningful experiences that continue to inspire the ongoing commitment to artist support.