change is on the horizon for PARADICE PALASE
Co-Founders Lauren Hirshfield (left) and Kat Ryals (right); photo by Yi Hsuan Lai (Shan)
This early fall season, as we leave our storefront of 5 years, and our Co-Founder / Co-Director of 7 years moves on, we’re working towards our next chapter in our PARADICE story.
Recently our wonderful Co-Founder Lauren Hirshfield announced that she will be largely moving on from PARADICE PALASE operations this fall (read her letter here), embarking on an exciting next cycle in her career within contemporary art, nightlife and culture. We are so proud of everything she has accomplished over the years through our small slice of art world paradice, and forever grateful for her bold vision, bubbly enthusiasm, and selfless tenacity she has brought to our project since day 1 onward. Her Co-Founder Kat Ryals feels truly so lucky to have had such a wildly creative and courageous “all-in” partner like Lauren to launch their first art world biz together, and to now have a forever friendship.
Thank you for all you have done to make our platform so fabulously special and for all that you will contribute for years to come!
Don’t worry - you will still see Lauren around at our events & programs, and out in the world continuing to help spread the good news of our platform’s mission.
After moving out of our storefront studio building last month and becoming a fully online / pop up org, more changes are on the horizon for us. But have no fear - this next announcement is an exciting one indeed.
This past year, we’ve been researching and redesigning our members network to be the best version of itself yet and we can’t wait to launch our updates in January 2025!
What’s changing you say?
We’re adding:
New virtual programming, like topic-based Roundtable discussions, Artist Talks, and Feedback sessions
A limited number of FREE 1-1 Office Hours visits with industry guests (first come, first serve)
A Bulletin Board for quick access to all updates and upcoming programs & events
We’re consolidating:
Our community forums to a single stream for easier engagement
The membership into a single tier - one essential package
We’re launching:
Fee-based access to programs and benefits for non-members, including Studio Visit Swaps, the Opportunities Listing, The Exchange, Artist Talks, and Office Hours visits
Ticketed seasonal in-person events (finally!)
Why are we making these changes?
The core function of our network is to create beneficial connections between artists and their industry peers.
Our shift to offering more virtual programming, where you can engage face to face wherever you are in the world, better supports this mission than forums and online groups.
Our goal is to make things EASIER for artists - not daunting. We have enough of that in the art world! That’s why we are redesigning the network site for a simpler user experience.
By offering a la carte benefits to the art community at large we will create an even more inclusive, supportive space for emerging artists. If you’re curious about our full community access, or if you’ve got budget constraints, or if your career stage or schedule is not suited to the full community package, you can now access our offerings based on your needs.
With these changes, a price increase for our community package will, as you may have guessed, be necessary. However - if you are a current Essentials member through December 2024, you will be grandfathered into the new membership at the current $25/mo rate. The new increased rate will begin for all new sign ups starting in January 2025, onward.
So, if you are already part of the Essentials cohort - you’re all set! Sit back, relax, and get ready for our sparkly makeover to be revealed in January!
If you are in the Starter tier or thinking about joining the Essentials cohort, upgrade or join by December 13th to lock in our current rate.
Stay tuned for further details about our new direction in November.
More soon!