Developing Artist Collaboration

"I want to quit my day job, but I don't know if it's actually possible."

That was Mary.

Like so many artists, she was working a full-time job while trying to build her creative business during nights, weekends, and whatever spare moments she could find. She was making work, doing shows, and moving forward, but everything felt squeezed into the margins of her life.

One of the biggest shifts for Mary in Emerge wasn't some magical business secret. It was getting clarity.

When she completed her time audit, she realized just how much of her life was being spent at work and commuting. Then she built out her cash flow projections and started playing with real numbers instead of guesses.

And that's when something clicked. For the first time, she could actually see a path forward. Mary didn't quit on a whim, she had logic and a plan. Emerge just gave her the clarity (and perhaps some confidence!) to take the plunge.

Today, Mary has left her full-time job and is focusing on growing her creative career. She's taking on more shows, pursuing bigger opportunities, and building a life with more time for the work she actually wants to be doing.

If you think it's time to quit, or go part-time with your "real job", we would love to help you discover the path to get there. It might be closer than you think!

Book a 30-minute chat and see if Emerge is right for you:
developingarts.org/emerge

"The business side is making me wear way too many hats."

That was Mike Jo.

Like a lot of working artists, Mike isn't just doing one thing. He's painting murals, creating illustrations, taking commissions, managing clients, juggling deadlines, and somehow trying to keep everything moving forward at the same time.

For a long time, his strategy was basically, "I'll figure it out when I get there." And honestly? That's how a lot of artists operate.

The challenge isn't that you're not working hard. It's that every part of your business has its own process, timeline, and demands. At some point, keeping it all in your head stops working.

One of the biggest shifts Mike made in Emerge was creating systems that actually support the way he works. Now he's building schedules, workflows, and routines that help him balance bigger projects, smaller projects, and everything in between without feeling like his week is constantly on fire.

If you've ever felt like you're running five creative businesses at once, and it feels like juggling fire... we have the program for you.

Book a 30-minute chat, and see if you should join our 2026 Emerge cohort:
developingarts.org/emerge

Fresh Art Pop-Ups continues June 12–15 with *Home Sweet Homie*, a celebration of friendship, creativity, and over a decade of making art together.

Artists Gel Z and Amanda Pace grew up as boardwalk rats, surfers, beach bums, and eventually artists. What started as a shared love of creativity turned into more than 10 years of collaborating, exhibiting, and growing alongside one another.

Now living in different places but still connected through art, *Home Sweet Homie* brings together colorful, beach-inspired work that reflects where they started, where they've been, and the community that helped shape them. Rooted in nostalgia, love, and creative connection, this exhibition is both a reunion and a celebration.

🖼 Opening Night: Friday, June 12 | 5–9 PM
☀️ Open Saturday, June 13 & Sunday, June 14 | 12–5 PM
🌙 Closing Night: Monday, June 15 | 5–9 PM

📍 The Artpothecary | West Rehoboth Beach
🎟 Free + open to the public

Part of our weekly Fresh Art Pop-Up series alongside West Side Creative Market.

“I keep taking little steps… but I want to actually start moving forward.”

That was Randee. Like a lot of artists, she had ideas, momentum, and drive but no real structure holding it all together. Everything felt scattered, and it was hard to tell if those little steps were actually leading anywhere.

One of the biggest shifts for Randee in Emerge was realizing she didn’t need to completely change who she was. She needed tools, systems, and support that helped her move with more intention.

Now she’s tracking inventory, organizing customer relationships, building real structure around her work, and for the first time, those little steps feel like an actual path forward.

And honestly? The confidence piece has been just as important.

Sometimes growth isn’t about becoming a different artist. It’s about finally feeling supported enough to move forward, and finding the tools that work for you to keep it all on track.

If this sounds familiar, you should probably talk to us about joining our 2026 Emerge Cohort!

Book a 30-min call:
https://www.developingarts.org/emerge

Fresh Art Pop-Ups continues June 5–8 with DAC Next Edition's show "The Color of Water" — a collaborative exhibition by a group of artists challenging themselves to work outside of their usual practice through one shared theme: water.

Featuring photography, mosaics, painting, textiles, metalsmithing, mixed media, and repurposed materials, the show explores the many emotional, physical, and personal relationships we have with water, interpreted differently through each artist’s lens.

What makes this show special is the spirit behind it. These artists intentionally stepped outside of their comfort zones, experimenting with new materials, processes, and perspectives to create work they may not have otherwise made.

Come experience a thoughtful, unexpected exhibition about creativity, challenge, and transformation.

🖼 Opening Night: Friday, June 5 | 5–9 PM
☀️ Open Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7 | 12–5 PM
🌙 Closing Night: Monday, June 8 | 5–9 PM
📍 The Artpothecary | 37401 Malloy St. West Rehoboth Beach
🎟 Free + open to the public

Part of our weekly Fresh Art Pop-Up series alongside West Side Creative Market.

Artists are constantly expected to just “figure it out.”

Pricing. Marketing. Time management. Client communication. Building something sustainable while still making the work itself.

That’s exactly why DAC built Emerge.

Emerge is a structured creative workforce program designed to help artists build real, sustainable creative careers through business education, accountability, systems, and community alongside a cohort of artists across Delaware.

And thanks to support from the Delaware Division of the Arts , subsidized tuition is available for Delaware artists who are ready to grow but may need financial support to access the program.

In 2026, Emerge is expanding into New Castle County in partnership with the Delaware Art Museum, alongside our Sussex County cohort. Curious? Come to our in-person Emerge Mixer 5:00-7:30 at the Delaware Art Museum on Thursday, June 4th.

We’re looking for 20 Delaware artists who are ready to stop guessing and start building something sustainable with their work. Applications are due June 15th.

RSVP to the New Castle Mixer, learn more about Emerge, or book a 30-min call:
https://www.developingarts.org/emerge