Emporia First Friday Art Walk

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

Emporia First Friday (EFF) will designate a portion of this year's Match Day funds towards a new computer and workstation for a future part-time employee. The remainder will assist in funding essential EFF budget items, such as office space rent and software subscriptions used to promote artists and the EFF Art Walk.

Mission

The mission of Emporia First Friday is to promote cultural growth by connecting artists to the community.

Profile

Since its formation in 2016, the Emporia First Friday Art Walk has maintained these three main goals:
1. Provide a platform for artists to interact with customers, develop their professional skills, and monetize their creativity.
2. Deliver a consistent, continually evolving community event each month and encourage involvement in the Arts.
3. Increase foot traffic and visibility for small businesses that serve as Art Walk venues. 

The EFF accomplishes these goals by coordinating and implementing a family-friendly, community-involved event on the first Friday of each month.

With an average of 15 venues per walk, artists sign-up to participate, then are assigned to a participating business or space in Downtown Emporia to showcase their work on First Fridays. Community members can pick up an Art Walk Passport, visit the artists and businesses listed during the walk from 5 to 8 pm, and submit it at the end of the evening to be entered into prize drawings. The Art Walk features a new lineup of artist pop-ups, gallery exhibits, and activities every month, so there is always something new to see.

The EFF Art Walk not only provides opportunity for artists to showcase their work but also offers the invaluable experience of face-to-face interactions that build connections and strengthen our community.

The Emporia First Friday Art Walk is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this November, marking 10 years of fostering art created by humans for humans!