Rising Tide:
Social Resources for Artists
Pilot Program: Los Angeles
March 8 - May 24, 2026
Hybrid program: Zoom and In-person classes
12 participants
$400
Rising Tide is a program to help visual artists build meaningful relationships in support of their career goals.
(Space is limited - secure your spot )
When it comes to being successful, most artists have heard someone say, "It's who you know." Credibility, reciprocity, trust, and solidarity are all qualities that lubricate professional relationships. Knowing people helps move things along.
Because of this, an artist's network is one of their greatest assets. It connects them with resources, power, and opportunities to share, validate, and sell their work.
Rising Tide is a hybrid (in-person and virtual) class series that combines research, theory, and real-world experience to help artists grow their social networks. The curriculum (designed by an artist for artists) uses the concept of social capital as its foundation and focuses it on how it can be used to grow an artist’s career.
In 7 classes, artists will receive information-packed presentations about tapping into the social resources that will provide value to their path. Artists will learn why social capital is crucial to an art practice, and how to build social capital in a way that feels authentic. We won’t discuss boilerplate, corporate networking advice but will explore how to create meaningful relationships in the art world that will garner opportunity, solidarity, visibility, and support. Artists will learn how to nurture allies and supporters, connect with partners, build an audience, and form partnerships with gatekeepers.
Participants will receive a Rising Tide Workbook with weekly assignments that will turn ideas into steps they can take today. Each class will dedicate time for discussion to increase the group's collective knowledge. The first and last meeting will be held in person to build our internal connections and create a safe space to explore the ideas we discuss. We will also have a panel discussion with art world professionals so they can share their insights about creating a network in the art world.
In a time of disconnection, polarization, and virtual relationships, remembering how to connect meaningfully with one another is on the top of many folk’s minds. The benefits of this program are not only for individual artists, but also for their immediate community and for the wider art field. Strong communities have a tightly bound social fabric, woven from myriad overlapping networks that build resilience. Just as a rising tide will lift all boats, this program has the potential to elevate the entire field.
What’s Included:
7 Classes:
Two (2) in-person classes (with potluck meals)
Four (4) 75-minute zoom classes
1 Panel discussion on Building Networks with art world professionals, i.e. gallery, institution, non-profit, artist agency, etc.
Rising Tide Workbook (hard and digital copies available)
Access to a private and supportive cohort
Schedule:
Sunday, March 8, 11am - 1:30pm: It’s Who You Know: Social Capital in the Art World (In Person; Potluck)
Friday, March 20, 12 - 1:15pm: The Art World's Relationship Economy (Zoom)
Friday, April 3, 12 - 1:15pm: Knots (Zoom)
Friday, April 17, 12 - 1:15pm: Bridges (Zoom)
Friday, May 1, 12 - 1:15pm: Ladders (Zoom)
Friday, May 15, 12 - 1:15pm: Panel Discussion - “Building a Network” (Zoom)
Sunday, May 24, 11am - 1:30pm: Sustaining and Expanding Your Network (In Person; Potluck)
Before you Sign Up:
Participants are asked to commit to attending two in-person events: the first and last classes (Location: Boyle Heights)
Why? This program will be exploring different ways of building relationships. To kick things off, we will gather together, break bread and get to know one another. This is key to creating a sense of camaraderie and trust in the group, setting participants up to gain all the benefits in the weeks to follow.
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$400
This is a significantly reduced fee for the pilot program. Early participants will benefit from the lower price and should also be aware they will be attending my “soft opening”.
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Topics we will cover:
Social Capital - and why it matters for artists
Different types of relationships and how they support an artist’s career
How to build an audience
Cultivating referrals, references, and allies
How to build relationships with Gatekeepers and Institutions
Exchanging favors, shifting social norms and other soft skills
So much more!
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Visual Artists in Los Angeles
Artists who want to keep the momentum going in their career, and take it to the next level
Artists who want to cultivate relationships that will provide them with opportunities
Wallflowers & Extroverts
Artists who want to make connections in a way that feels aligned with their values
Artists who are uncomfortable with traditional ideas of networking
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About the Instructor:
Virginia Broersma has been exploring pathways forward in her own art career for the past 20 years and she has found many gaps in the support structures available to her as a working artist. In 2018 she founded The Artist’s Office where she keeps her ear to the ground about the current challenges artists face and offers support addressing some of their needs. Rising Tide is developed from these conversations.
Virginia brings to the table her research from social science, neuroscience, psychology, sociology, economics, professional networking, and the lives of artists.
Can’t make it for the Spring 2026 session?
Join the waitlist to be notified about the next Rising Tide program:
Who is The Artist’s Office?
The Artist’s Office is operated by Los Angeles-based artist Virginia Broersma. It was born out of a recognition of the need many artists have for business and administrative help while identifying her own aptitude for spreadsheets, proofreading and calendar management. These organizational compulsions paired with a colossal accumulation of resources form the bedrock of the Artist’s Office.
As the Artist’s Office, Virginia works with artists to identify and pursue opportunities such as grants, exhibitions and residencies, while also offering knowledge growth, project planning and peer support.
Part of her work involves engaging with the systems and opportunities available to artists to better understand if and how they are failing to meet the needs of artists on a macro level. Virginia is particularly interested in supporting artists from underrepresented racial/economic/age/ability/gender groups with a goal of achieving parity in terms of visibility, recognition and market value in the art world of the future.
Virginia’s studio is located in the Fashion District in Los Angeles and she lives in Long Beach, CA. Her work can be seen on her website.