About Us and Our Associates

Our Mission and Purpose

We are guided by helping Artists follow their passion and turn their passion into prosperity. We are service-oriented, accessible, proactive, artists' advocates helping to build relationships among artists, art enthusiasts and members of the art business community.

We are members of many organizations including the National Association of Artists Organizations, ArtTable, Chicago Artists Coalition, Metropolitan Museum, International Association of Art Critics, Society of Illustrators, and more.

We are located in Manhattan, the art capital of the world. We have a 27-year history led by author Renée Phillips, author, curator, artist career consultant and lecturer who has made many contributions to the arts.



One of the highlights in the history of Manhattan Arts International was when we organized the Manhattan Arts Debate. It was attended by more than 750 members of the art community and was broadcast on radio and TV. Renee Phillips, Director, has organized more than 60 art events.

OUR ONLINE GALLERY
Quality governs our criteria: We work with an impressive peer group of art professionals in our selection process.

We bring high quality art to discerning art professionals and buyers. Visitors have the opportunity to view a beautiful presentation of art work, read about the artist and contact the artist directly. We do not charge a sales commission.

OUR JURIED EXHIBITIONS
To help us in our search for talent around the globe, we hold several juried exhibitions annually, including HerStory and Anniversary.

OUR BOOKS
As publishers of The Complete Guide to New York Art Galleries we hold the distinction of publishing "the most comprehensive book on NYC galleries." Our other books include Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists (a complete resource for creatiing artists' documents and professional materials), and Success Now! For Artists, A Movitational Guide for the Artrepreneur.

OUR ONLINE READING ROOM & RESOURCE DIRECTORY
We bring you news you can use. Our Ezine features informative art world topics, inspiring essays about the creative process, and practical art and business tips and advice. Our Resource Directory provides hundreds of current opportunities for artists.

PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR ARTISTS
Renée Phillips, a life and career consultant and coach, offers private consultations, portfolio reviews and workshops to help artists take their career to the next level. She provides objective guidance on creative direction, promotional materials, and marketing venues.

Who We Are
Renée Phillips, Founder and Director, Manhattan Arts International
As a pioneer in her field and artists' advocate known as The Artrepreneur Coach, she has curated more than 50 art exhibitions. She was the Editor-in-Chief of Manhattan Arts International magazine for 17 years, before establishing www.ManhattanArts.com. She is the author of several books and a frequent keynote speaker for art insitutions throughout the U.S. She provides private career guidance for individual artists. Renée is also a member of the International Association of Art Critics, ArtTable, and National Association of Women Business Owners..

Editorial Division
Jill Conner, Senior Editor
Jill Conner is a critic based in New York City. She is a contributing editor to Contemporary magazine. She is a member of the International Association of Art Critics. She has juried competitions including the Manhattan Arts International "Small Works" exhibition.

Edward Rubin, Senior Editor
Edward Rubin was Senior Editor for Manhattan Arts International magazine and continues to contribute to Manhattan Arts Ezine. He is also a writer for New York Arts and has written articles for ARTnews, Sculpture magazine, Art & Antiques, Contemporary, New Art Examiner and Theater Week. He hs been a juror for several Manhattan Arts competitions including "I Love Manhattan." He is a member of the International Association of Art Critics.

Alexandra Shaw, Senior Editor
Shehas been a senior editor for Manhattan Arts International magazine for over 10 years. Her primary editorial focus is conducting interviews with artists and other art professionals for Manhattan Arts Ezine. She is also Assistant Director and a juror for the Manhattan Arts Online Gallery.

Sandra Indig, Associate Editor
Sandra Indig, CSW, ATR-BC is an artist, writer and psychotherapist who works and maintains a private practice in New York, NY. She is a certified arts therapist and clinical social worker. Her art work has been exhibited in Lincoln Center, NY, NY and is included in many private and public collections. She has written many articles for Manhattan arts International magazine and Manhattan Arts Ezine as well as FYI published by New York Foundation for the Arts. She has also presented many seminars on art and career related issues.

Frank Bruno, Contributing Editor
Frank Bruno is a graduate of The York Academy of Arts, York, PA & attended Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. As an artist he has exhibited extensively in New York City, Philadelphia and other galleries in the Northeast region. He is a marketing and career consultant and coach for emerging artists. He contributes articles on these subjects for Manhattan Arts Ezine.

Gordon Dane, Senior Book Editor
Gordon Dane has been the book editior for Manhattan Arts International magazine for more than 10 years. He is currently the book editor for the Resource Directory and you can find his previews and reviews at http://www.manhattanarts.com/Resources/index.htm

Melissa Goldberg, Associate Editor
Melissa Goldberg is a student at Barnard College, majoring in English and writing and is a recipient of the Ellen “Pucky” Violett Internship Grant. Melissa has performed in the theater for many years and has traveled through Europe, which has facilitated her studies in contemporary art and art history. Her editorial contributions in the Manhattan Arts International Ezine focus on interviews with artists, art dealers, and curators.

Business and Technical Division
Andrew Abrams, Director of Marketing, Manhattan Arts International
Andrew Abrams has more than 40 years experience as a designer, licensing agent, business consultant and coach to creative individuals. He assists Manhattan Arts International with the development of marketing plans and promotional concepts, in all aspects of the company. He is most recently responsible for the new direction in the cohesive designs of our book covers.

Paul Backalenick, Website Consultant and Technical Advisor for www.ManhattanArts.com
He is a graduate of Brown University. He holds Masters degrees in both Education and Business. He has 15 years experience in Information Technology consulting having worked for Accenture, Ernst and Young, and Kurt Salmon Associates. He has focused on Internet marketing, information architecture, and website design. He is President of Nexxite, created five years ago to meet the online needs of artists, professionals, and owners of small businesses.

Production Division
Elijah Blyden, Book Cover Designer, Manhattan Arts International
Elijah Blyden works as an illustrator and graphics designer. He has designed the covers for Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists and Success Now! For Artists published by Manhattan Arts International. As the owner of Crunchtime Graphics he has designed book covers, promotional and marketing materials, and created many illustrations for his varied clients.

Andrea Gengo, Book Cover Designer, Manhattan Arts International
Andrea Gengo designed the 2006 edition of The Complete Guide to New York Art Galleries. She is an artist and graphic designer and owner of Artigiana Graphic Design. She studied at New York University, majoring in Fine Art with minors in Art History and Printing Management and Technology. After College she earned her Masters Degree from Pratt Institute in Graphic Design and Packaging. Andrea teaches design and advertising courses in various colleges.

About the Jurors for Manhattan Arts International Juried Competitions
Our jurors have included:

Donna Cameron (see above).
Jill Conner, a member of the International Association of Art Critics and writer for many publications such as Contemporary, Sculpture and New York Arts. She was the juror for the Manhattan Arts "Small Works" competition.
Nancy di Benedetto, an art historian and author of History of American Art. She earned a BA from Yale University and MA from Hunter College in Art History. She has presented lectures on art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She was Dean of Pratt Institute, The New York School of Interior Design and SUNY, Purchase. She is a professor at Marymount Manhattan College, New York, NY. Nancy was a juror for Manhattan Arts International "20th Anniversary" competition and "Small Works" competition.
Ed Rubin (see above)
Cornelia Seckel, the publisher of ART TIMES, a publication she co-founded with Raymond J. Steiner in 1984 that serves the cultural corridor of the Northeast and provides commentary and resources for all the arts. She was a juror for the Manhattan Arts "Herstory" Competition.
Corinne Shane, founder and President of InvestinArt, an independent art consulting firm in New York City that specializes in locating works of art for corporations, professionals, service firms and individuals. She was the juror for the Manhattan Arts "Herstory" Competition.
E.Jay Weiss, an internationally exhibited artist and recipient of a Pollock-Krasner award. He is also curator of the Cabrini Hospice art collection. He was the juror for Manhattan Arts "Healing Power of Art" competition.