Interview · From the archive Aija Larry
Painter, Mixed media · Chicago
Everyday creatives, in their own words, since 2016
Everyday people making work worthseeing.
The painters, DJs, photographers and designers down the street deserve a bigger audience. We tell their stories and put them where you can find them, follow them and hire them.
If you make things, put yourself in the directory. It's free, and you run your own page. Get your free listing
- Painter
- DJ
- Photographer
- Sneaker customizer
- Designer
The directory
Put your work where people can actually find it.
The directory is free and open to creatives, marketers and makers at any stage. You get your own page with your links and your work, and you can edit it whenever you want.
Get your free listing
Latest interview · From the archive
Shawn Bruce
Photographer · Washington, D.C.
“There are some days that I think my work is perfect because of the imperfections.”
More interviews
All 8 interviews →
Stories
All stories →Dumb Dope
Dumb Dope, 2016 to now
It started as a visual essay. Now it's interviews, a free directory and a community that decides who's next.
The people
What does being creative mean? 5 artists answer
We asked painters, a DJ, a photographer and a designer the same question. Here are their answers, in their own words.
Get seen
Copyright basics for creatives
What you own the moment you make something, when registering is worth it, and how to share your work without giving it away.
The directory · 12 people
Find the people you've been looking for.
Painters, photographers, DJs, designers, strategists and marketers. You can see their work, follow them and get in touch to hire them.
-
Aija Larry Painter Interview -
Christopher CKH Howard Illustrator -
Dana Hewling Brand designer -
DJ Chris Brown DJ Interview -
Golden guy 3D artist -
Gus & Pops Content creator Interview -
Hawa Maya Photographer Interview - Howard Creative Co. Illustrator
Nobody yet in Writing, Fashion & beauty, Performance. Be the first →
3 open to work → Promoted listings are paid and always labeled. How it works →
Opportunities · 52 open
Here's what you can apply for right now.
Grants, open calls, residencies and paid gigs for creatives. A person checks each one, and every listing links to the official page.
- Oct 12 Closes today
Open call
Call for Art: Things That Go Bump in the Night
The Bakery Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
- Oct 13 Closes tomorrow
Grant
ArtsActivate 2027 - Round 2 (Individual Artist)
City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture
Dallas, TX
- Oct 13 Closes tomorrow
Grant
Nexus Grant (Fall 2026 round)
City of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME)
Austin, TX Award amounts of $5,000 and $10,000 for 12-month grant agreement periods
- Oct 15 3 days left
Job
Cultural Affairs Coordinator II - Programming Division, Performing Arts (Job 418546)
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
Chicago, IL
The Drop
The Drop lands in your inbox every Thursday.
Grants, open calls and gigs that are open now, people worth knowing, and what's new on Dumb Dope.
Get the DropTake part
There are three ways to get your work seen.
-
Free · our editors choose
Be our next interview
Know someone whose work deserves to be seen? Tell us. Every interview starts with a nomination, and you can even nominate yourself.
Nominate someone -
Free · reviewed by us
Put yourself in the directory
Make a profile in the directory: what you do, where you are, your links and a gallery of your work. Edit it any time.
Get your free listing -
$25 · 30 days · labeled Promoted
Show up first in your field
Already listed? Put your profile first in the directory and your field. Paid once, no subscription.
How promoting works
Know someone dope?
Tell us who should be next. A friend, a cousin, a classmate, or you.
