Though artists would prefer to create beautiful and evocative expressions of truth many are learning that “doing art” may well evolve into a successful business. The challenge is to learn and practice the skills of marketing, pricing, record keeping, tax considerations, social media and the importance of thoughtful planning. It is said that some creative artists even begin to appreciate the art of creating a successful business!
Towards that end, Springboard for the Arts is joining with Hennepin County Library to address the opportunity to shape business skills programming specifically targeted to the needs of creative artists. Last Winter sponsors launched a weekly series entitled “Work of Art” a program focused on identifying and honing business skills for artists facing the hope and challenge of making it in a robust business environment.
That venture was such a success that the series has is being fine-tuned in readiness of a second series that will begin tomorrow, June 10, at the Northeast Library, 2200 Central Avenue, in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis arts community. Sessions are held Saturday afternoons, 1:00 – 3:30 in the Library. All of the sessions are free and open. Registration is requested for individual sessions or for the series.
The summer schedule:
June 16: Time Management. Analytical tool-based approaches to tackle hurdles related to efficiency, flexibility and work-life balance.
June 23: Portfolio Kit: Focus on the essential elements of the portfolio; sharpening the artist statement, tailoring the artistic resume, selection and formatting work samples
June 30: January 11. Marketing for Artists. Defining the product, discovering the target audience, making decisions about selling, and identifying a budget and strategy for an artistic business.
July 14 – Social Media Basics for Artists. Focused on Facebook and Twitter examples – core functionality, best practices and exercises to build an online strategy for an artistic business.
July 21: Pricing: An analytical approach to defining key elements to calculate costs and prices of art for a variety of markets.
July 28: Recordkeeping: Tracking revenues, making informed projects, gaining a clearer understanding of artistic business finances.
August 4: Legal Considerations. General information about intellectual property, contract basics and structuring artistic business.
August 11: Funding. How to think creatively about diversifying funding streams, exploring traditional and new models for generating value, resources and revenue.
August 18: Business Plan Essentials. How to prepare a simple business plan in art-friendly language to help organize the various aspects of artistic practice and informed business decisions.
For more information or to register for individual sessions or for the series click here: https://springboardforthearts.org/professional-growth/work-of-art-program/work-of-art-business-skills-for-artists/
Poking Around with Mary 