Artist Resource Collective
At YoungArts, we believe financial knowledge is a vital component of an artistic career.
Too often, artists are encouraged to pursue their practice without understanding the business aspects of their craft. The harmful myths that talent alone ensures success and that passion, dedication and sacrifice are enough to sustain a practice have been perpetuated for far too long.
Artist Resource Collective (ARC) seeks to change this narrative. ARC is a new, artist-designed and artist-led program that equips artists with essential financial tools and knowledge.
Created by David Thomson, artist and co-creator of the Artist Sustainability Project, the program addresses key topics such as personal finance, business structures, contracts and agreements, taxes, grant writing, legal issues, intellectual property, and more as it continues to grow. At its core, ARC is guided by a philosophy of care—prioritizing the well-being of the individual to help support and sustain their artistic practice. By fostering a supportive environment, ARC provides artists with the resources they need to build lasting, fulfilling lives and careers.
Catalyzing support and generous seed funding for this work was provided by
How Can I Participate in ARC?
ARC is divided into three specifically focused programs.
YoungARC
YoungARC is an introductory program for 15-18 year-old artists just entering the YoungArts community. YoungARC offers a comprehensive introduction to financial basics through EverFi, an online financial education course. To further support participants, we also provide online office hours—interactive group sessions where artists can ask questions and explore these concepts in greater depth.
VirtualARC
VirtualARC brings key elements of the core ARC curriculum to life through virtual intensives led by experts in their fields. In 2025, we plan to expand our offerings with workshops on topics such as finance, budgeting, grant writing, taxes, contracts, legal and intellectual property, business structures, and more, made possible through additional partnerships.
LiveARC
LiveARC is a hybrid program that provides a comprehensive financial literacy curriculum through both intensive and extended formats. Topics include budgeting, banking, savings, retirement, credit, debt, taxes, business structures (LLC and 501(c)(3)), contracts, concepts of agreement and more. The program combines in-person and virtual sessions to maximize accessibility and engagement.
The pilot program launched in spring 2024 in New York City. A new iteration of the program is launching this fall and will expand nationwide in the spring of 2026. Through partnerships with arts organizations, we bring free workshops to local communities.
There’s a certain skill, developed over years, in knowing how to navigate the art world as a business—how to value your work, protect your rights, and negotiate with confidence. These lessons often come from mentors and teachers, and I’m deeply grateful for the wisdom they’ve shared.
ARC helped me build the courage to take critical steps to alleviate my financial peril and helped me develop a system of accountability to sustain my practice.
Thanks to ARC, I realized that I can take other tangible steps I would’ve never considered to make my small business even more of a reality.
ARC was an empowering reminder that finance is another canvas for my creativity.