Last updated 3/12/20 Media Arts Resource List A Non-Comprehensive Guide for Artist & Organizations Compiled by the National Endowment for the Arts Service Organizations & Professional Networks A-Doc A-Doc is a national network that works to increase the visibility and support of Asian Americans in the documentary field. The network is committed to sharing ideas and resources, providing mutual support and mentorship, and advocating for equity and diversity in the production and distribution of non-fiction storytelling. Alliance for Media Arts + Culture Committed to facilitating innovation, collaboration, strategic growth and cultural impact for the media arts field in the US and around the world. Through a suite of forward-thinking and inclusive programs, The Alliance holds space for a dynamic network of artists and organizations committed to powerful creative storytelling as an engine for transformation and the collective imagination. Alliance of Artist Communities An international association of artist residencies that offer time and space to develop new or ongoing works. With 70% of residencies serving visual artists, writers, composers, filmmakers, choreographers, and others, the filmmakers and media artists should regularly consider artist residencies as a way to work on projects. Additionally, organizations with residency programs for filmmakers or media artists should consider engaging with this network to stay on top of best practices in the contemporary arts field and beyond. Art House Convergence The Art House Convergence began in 2006 when the Sundance Institute invited 14 Art House theaters to the Sundance Film Festival. By 2008, the theaters decided to meet annually in Utah. Since then, the annual conference has grown to over 500 attendees and expanded to include regional seminars, industry events, and other programs throughout the year. Its mission is to increase the quantity and quality of art house cinemas in North America. Association of Independents in Radio (AIR) A professional and social network for sound artists, multimedia craftspeople, and public media journalists. Committed to expanding the ecosystem where producers can do their best work, AIR provides training, opportunities, and resources, including an online talent directory and current listings of fellowships, grants, and awards. Association of Moving Image Archivists A nonprofit international association dedicated to the preservation and use of moving image media. AMIA supports public and professional education and fosters cooperation and communication among the individuals and organizations concerned with the acquisition, preservation, description, exhibition, and use of moving image materials. Brown Girls Doc Mafia An initiative advocating for over 3,300 women and non-binary people of color working in the documentary film industry around the world. The network is committed to fight inequality by building community and sharing resources, demanding access and visibility in creative and professional environments, enriching the community with the knowledge to sustain financially, and by cutting through oppressive industry structures to advocate for BDGM members. Common Field Common Field connects, supports and advocates for the artist-centered field by providing a network for independent arts organizations and organizers. Documentary Producers Alliance The Documentary Producers Alliance (DPA) is a working group of more than 100 documentary producers nationwide that advocates on behalf of producers and the health and welfare of the documentary industry. Field resources include a Guide to Best Practices in Documentary Crediting and a Guide for Fair Recoupment Investment Strategies. Film Fatales Film Fatales supports an inclusive community of women feature film and television directors who meet regularly to share resources, collaborate on projects and build an environment in which to make their films. Film Festival Alliance The Film Festival Alliance was established in 2015 as an independent non-profit organization to develop and foster collaboration among mission-driven film festivals around the world. The Alliance offers programs, online resources, and an annual conference to share ideas, build bridges with filmmakers and distributors, and strengthen our burgeoning industry. Freelancer’s Union Serving the interests of independent workers through advocacy, education, and services. Resources include Freelance101, financial tools, the Freelancers Hub, special discounts, and access to health/dental/life/liability/disability/accident insurance. Membership is free. International Documentary Association (IDA) Through its programs, the IDA provides resources, creates community, and defends rights and freedoms for documentary artists, activists, and journalists. Programs include fiscal sponsorship, grant opportunities, Documentary magazine, and field-building resources, such as a grant directory for nonfiction storytellers. Kaleidoscope VR A professional network for the immersive industry, Kaleidoscope VR brings together creators, investors, and industry leaders to help fund the next wave of great XR art, games, films, apps, and experiences. Members receive benefits such as early screeners of leading VR artwork, access to a growing library and digital archive of VR content, and invitations to private events in the VR industry. Monthly membership fees support independent artists from diverse backgrounds. National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures (NALAC) Since 1989, NALAC has delivered programs that stabilize and revitalize the US Latino arts and cultural sector via grant funding for artists and organizations, leadership training, convenings, research, and advocacy. National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) NALIP is a national membership organization that addresses the professional needs of Latin@ content creators. Programs include national industry conference with a Latino Media Market, a Latino Artist Mentorship program, and support for content creation through their Latino Lens incubator program and industry partnerships in Documentary, Digital, TV, Streaming, Short and Feature Films, and Technology Projects. W.A.G.E. - Working Artists for a Greater Economy An organization founded with a mission to establish sustainable economic relationships between artists and the institutions that contract our labor, and to introduce mechanisms for self-regulation into the art field that collectively bring about a more equitable distribution of its economy. It is free for organizations to become W.A.G.E.-certified. Women in Film & Television A global network of member chapters dedicated to advancing the career development and achievement for professionals working in all areas of screen-based media and related disciplines. Chapters are currently in California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Seattle, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington, D.C Public Arts & Humanities Agencies National Endowment for the Arts An independent federal agency that funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation. The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to support activities that reflect the dynamic, diverse, and evolving nature of the media arts field through Grants for Art Projects and the development of field resources, such as case studies (How Did They Fund It?) and SUSTAIN, a curated online resource portal in partnership with the Sundance Institute. National Endowment for the Humanities An independent federal agency created in 1965. It is one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States. Grants typically go to cultural institutions, such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television, and radio stations, and to individual scholars. Use the grants database to search for opportunities. National Film Preservation Board Established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, the National Film Preservation Board works to ensure the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America's film heritage through the National Film Registry, Preservation Research, and other resources. National Film Preservation Foundation A nonprofit organization created by the U.S. Congress to help save America's film heritage. Funding programs include a Basic Preservation Grant for nonprofit and public institutions to preserve culturally and historically significant film materials. Regional Arts Organizations Six Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs) partner with the National Endowment for the Arts and their constituent State Arts Agencies on planning and programs. While RAOs collaborate closely with governmental agencies, they are nonprofit organizations. Beyond core structures, relationships and functions, RAOs differ from each other in significant ways. The service organization for RAOs is the US Regional Arts Organizations. Learn more about the regional, national, and international resources offered by each RAO on their individual websites. State Arts Agencies State Arts Agencies (SAAs) offer various professional development resources, events, and funding opportunities for individuals and organizations. The service organization for State Arts Agencies is the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). To find out more about the resources offered by your local SAA, browse the listings by state on this website