On Saturday May 12, 2018, 15 artists from Connecticut and Massachusetts gathered at Eastern Connecticut State University for a full day of specialized and practical business training with Dee Boyle-Clapp, artist and Director of the Arts Extension Service at UMASS/Amherst. For more information go to: https://www.umass.edu/aes/.
Windham Arts supports artists, galleries/venues, and arts organizations across its 36-town service region. The workshop is part of an ongoing series from the Assets for Artists Program (A4A) at MASS MoCA. Learn more at: https://www.assetsforartists.org/. More will be offered in our region in the future.
The session was deeply personal for each artist, with many opportunities for sharing ideas and goals for peer review and critique. The basic elements of a business plan were introduced with information helpful for running an artist-based business. Through a mix of instruction and guided activities everyone learned how to create a series of attainable business goals that can shape the future of any enterprise, including how to describe work in various arts forms, hire outside experts, handle financial details, set pricing, and structure a business operating model. At the end of the day people left with a clear path to their next steps and goals.
One more thing—news to share! The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) has released information about new grant opportunities for artists during 2018-2019. The website link is: http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=3948&q=464520 . A recording of the special May 8 webinar about the various programs and deadlines is available for viewing on that page. Take a look!
Windham Arts can support your effort to create the path to success with promotion and expanded connection to our vibrant arts community. Contact John Murphy, Program Director, at john@windhamarts.org.