Theresa Hubbard, the powerhouse CEO of Fractured Atlas, joins NOT REAL ART this week for a lively chat about collaborating on the Arthouse project, an unscripted TV show that aims to connect real people with real artists to buy original art without breaking the bank. During our conversation, Theresa emphasizes the importance of fiscal sponsorship for artists and creative projects like Arthouse, illustrating how Fractured Atlas has evolved from a production company into a crucial service for artists over the years.
We dive into the fantastic work Fractured Atlas does to support creatives through crowdfunding, making it significantly easier for them to get their projects off the ground. Theresa shares insights from her role within the organization and highlights how they’ve adapted to meet the needs of artists across the nation.
Arthouse, as Theresa and host Scott “Sourdough” Power explore, isn’t just a show; it’s a movement designed to demystify the art world and help everyday folks discover the beauty of original art. The initiative also showcases artists from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of highlighting art beyond major markets.
Special thanks to Fractured Atlas for their continued support of Arthouse. To learn more about Arthouse, support its mission, or nominate your favorite artist for future episodes, please visit Arthouse on Indiegogo.
Quotes From This Episode
“Fiscal sponsorship, which is really our flagship program, was born from the idea of what else do artists need? It's no secret; artists need access to funding. They're doing public benefit work, which we consider charitable work, and they should have access to charitable dollars as a result. Through fiscal sponsorship, they're able to raise the funds they seek and tax-deductible donations from individual donors.” — Theresa Hubbard, Fractured Atlas CEO [09:15]
“[Fractured Atlas built] a crowdfunding platform that is created for artists, by artists, and seeks to serve our fiscal sponsorship program so that our projects could have a way to actually use crowdfunding tools and still access the benefits of their fiscal sponsorship.” — Theresa Hubbard, Fractured Atlas CEO [14:54]
“One of the things that really inspired me about [Arthouse] was this idea of bringing art buyers and art patrons into the community with artists and helping them foster relationships with one another so that there's the potential for word of mouth. The buyer can have a discussion piece in their house, and somebody says, ‘That's cool. Who is it by, or where did you get it?’ And the answer is not going to be Home Goods or Target.” — Theresa Hubbard, Fractured Atlas CEO [25:58]
“Whether you identify as an artist or not, there is something that still connects you to art in so many cases. Even if you don't identify as an artist, you might have a little piece of that artist inside of you.” — Theresa Hubbard, Fractured Atlas CEO [36:46]
Links Mentioned in This Episode
About Theresa Hubbard and Fractured Atlas
Fractured Atlas has been a transformative force in the arts since its founding in 1998. Originally established as a performing arts producer by Adam Huttler, the organization evolved into an arts service provider in 2002, focusing on empowering artists and arts organizations across various creative mediums. Through essential fundraising tools, educational resources, and personalized support, Fractured Atlas helps artists thrive.
Under the leadership of CEO Theresa Hubbard, who took the helm in 2021, Fractured Atlas has supported over 15,000 artists and arts groups, raising over $300 million for their projects. Theresa envisions a world where artists enjoy economic freedom, allowing them to focus on their creativity. An expert in fiscal sponsorship, she is a sought-after speaker and serves on the steering committee of the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. With a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Syracuse University, Theresa is also passionate about singing and actively contributes to the arts community. Fractured Atlas continues to inspire a national and global network of artists, providing them the tools to turn their creative dreams into reality.
These show notes have been edited for length and clarity. All photos published with permission of Theresa Hubbard and Fractured Atlas; featured graphic: David Schwartz.