Announcing a special January - June, 2026 Artist Cohort!
Revolutionary Artstories: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Equity
Inspired by the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution on July 4, 2026, VAM is offering a cohort where artists will be invited to create new work on the theme "promises of the American Revolution."
Our Most Recent Webinar . . . Marketing for Artists (to be posted soon!)
Thank you for joining us for a webinar designed to help emerging artists navigate the world of marketing. Learn practical tips on building your brand, expanding your audience, and promoting your work effectively. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your art to the next level, this session will provide tools and insights helpful for transforming your passion into a career. Audience Q&A included!
Moderated by Jason R. Montgomery
Michelle Falcón Fontánez
Michelle Falcón Fontánez is a multimedia storyteller from Holyoke, MA working in photography, film, and public art. Michelle has witnessed and personally experienced injustices that have shaped her views of the world, motivating her pursuit of making change through art. Her artistry has primarily focused on social issues, where she has created work to illuminate voices that have not been heard.
Mitch Anthony
Mitch Anthony works where mission meets message.
He has decades of experience in messaging, brand strategy and ideation/concept development. He has worked with companies big and small, enterprise and non-profit.
He’s a skilled facilitator and presenter with a track record of finding synergy, traction, and opportunity where fear, over-thinking, and bureaucracy slow others to a crawl.
Fungai Tichawangana
Fungai Tichawangana has been building websites for over two decades and is the founder of Artist Dynamix, a digital marketing agency based in Amherst MA. One of his great passions is helping creatives use online tools to showcase their work and reach their target audiences. Artist Dynamix has worked with organizations like the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, ArtsHub of Western Massachusetts, and the WriteAngles Conference, among others.
Our 2026 Mentorship Cohort is Forming . . .
Valley Arts Mentors supports artists in the Connecticut River Valley, connecting them with resources to help grow their practice. We provide new artists with the opportunity to work with experienced artists for extended periods of time, while creating a referral network and fostering resource sharing between affiliated artists and partnering organizations.
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In spring 2019, Shelburne Falls' Piti Theatre Company, Holyoke Media and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County received a planning grant from the Community Foundation of Western MA through their Valley Creates initiative to lay the groundwork for a new organization dedicated to supporting artists and arts organizations committed to mentoring young people.
Our Goals
Resources
Massachusetts
Big Brothers Big Sisters of:
Franklin County
Hampshire County
Hampden County
Partner Organizations & Artists
A Shurman Edit
Amherst Cinema
Anne macon
Artspace Greenfield
Ascendance Inner World Arts
Battat Glass
BluesEnBop
Center for Design Engagement
Children’s Museum at Holyoke
Drama Studio
Enchanted Circle
Eric Lemm, Guitarist
Girls Inc. of the Valley
Greater Holyoke YMCA
Greene Room Productions
Greenfield Public Library, Children’s Department
Greenfield Community Television
IzzyG and Company
Judy Kahooti Design
Lyra Music
Laura Josephs, Pianist
Make-It Springfield
Massachusetts Academy of Ballet
MIFA Victory Theatre
Musica Franklin
Northampton Community Music Center
Nuestras Raices
Piti Theatre Company
Print Shop Inc.
RadioPlasma, Holyoke
RiverCulture
Springfield Cultural Partnership
Wayne Smith, Cellist
Starlight Youth Theatre
The Dieselworks
Water Street Barn
Non-Arts Partner Organizations
Big Brothers & Big Sisters Pioneer Valley Network
Community Action Pioneer Valley, Youth Programs
Creative Economy Network
Greenfield Savings Bank
Greenfield Public Library
Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts
MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board
Signature Sounds
Springfield Partners for Community Action
Donald M. Stevens Consulting
Valley Arts Mentors is supported by a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ ValleyCreates Program, with funding from the Barr Foundation.
Valley Arts Mentors Webinar Series and Early Career Artist Mentoring programs are supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Chicopee, Conway, Hadley, Holyoke, Ludlow, Northampton, South Hadley, Springfield, and Westhampton Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Valley Arts Mentors is a collaborative project of Piti Theatre Company, Holyoke Media and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County
