Contemporary Art Month: History

Background

CAM—Contemporary Art Month—is the nation's only annual, month-long, citywide celebration of the contemporary arts. CAM serves to showcase and promote the diverse and vibrant art community of San Antonio while drawing cutting-edge international talent into the fold. Participation is voluntary and self-curated.

Since 1985, CAM has taken place every July. Today, the event is a success on all levels—if, that is, you consider success to mean the bolstering of a diverse and vibrant arts community, reputable both regionally and abroad. In 2007, 94 private studios, foundations, galleries and institutions and over 500 local, national and international artists participated in CAM; this year we anticipate those numbers to rise.

2004 was the first year CAM had an organizational infrastructure and active fiscal sponsorship from ASKEW, a 501c(3) arts organization. Though new as an official group, we remain committed to CAM's simple, original goal—to foster, showcase and promote the contemporary arts in all its forms. 2004 also marked the foundation of this website which maintains archives of previous years' events: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007.

We are artists, curators, critics and educators who wholeheartedly welcome the input of our peers. CAM 2007 will remain largely a collection of self-curated events; however, we're adding a diverse array of “official” shows and showcases to the mix—events and exhibits that include both local and international artists and arts organizations.

Advisory Board

Our advisory committee currently includes: Ken Little (Artist; Professor of Art, UTSA), Hills Snyder (Artist; Director, Sala Diaz), Michele Monseau (Artist; Director, Three Walls Gallery), Jennifer Jankauskas (Critic, Independent Curator), Leigh Anne Lester (Artist; Co-Director, Cactus Bra Space), Andy Benavides (Artist; Director, 1906 Gallery), Karen Mahaffy (Artist; Instructor, Palo Alto College), Risa Puleo (Critic; Independent Curator), Paula Owen (Artist; Writer; President, Southwest School of Art and Craft) and Robert Tatum (Artist; Art Director; Independent Curator).

Infrastructure

Robert Tatum is spearheading our fundraising efforts and will art direct our promotional campaign. Adam Johnson, our webmaster, is in charge of CAM 2008's online calendar. Tom Frost III is serving as CAM's Treasurer.

Direct mail, billboard and poster campaigns are also underway, featuring artwork by local powerhouses Vincent Valdez, Angel Rodriguez-Diaz and Chuck Ramirez.

Fees for CAM calendar listings

In order to cover the costs of the promotion, design, production and distribution of the CAM 2008 calendar and related promotional materials, we are asking all participants to pay a nominal fee.

Individual Artists & Artist-run Studios:

$25/per listing

Commercial Galleries & Retail Outfits:

$50/per listing

Institutions & Museums:

$100/per listing

At the moment, listing fees are our only source of working capital; therefore, we ask that participants register and submit fees as soon as possible so that promotional materials can be produced well in advance. CAM is a not-for-profit entity with 501c(3) status pending, so all listing fees are 100% tax deductible. Our fiscal sponsor is ASKEW, a local art-in-education organization. ASKEW board member Tom Frost III is serving as CAM's Treasurer and all sponsorship inquiries should be directed to him.

Please make all checks or money orders out to CAM or pay online. We welcome any additional contributions, all of which are also, 100% tax deductible!

Our office is located at 130 Kansas, San Antonio, TX 78203. We can be reached by email home@camsanantonio.org. Check this website regularly for updates on CAM 2008 events.

— Robert Tatum, CAM 2008