CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists

September 13 - November 15, 2023

  

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The Business of Art is a QUICK GRANT eligible activity for California artists who apply by July 15, 2023. 
Be sure to register for the workshop in addition to applying for the grant. More info below!

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If you are an artist, you have an arts business. Get the entrepreneurial tools and resources you need to sustain and thrive as an artist.

Learn key concepts and strategies for marketing and self-promotion, money management, planning and project financing. Get clear on your core values and who values your work. Assess your strengths and available opportunities. Create structures to meet your goals. Meet peers from across the creative disciplines; share knowledge and build relationships to support you as you grow. 

The Center for Cultural Innovation was founded in 2001 to promote knowledge sharing, networking and financial independence for individuals in the arts. Our signature program, the Business of Art, is designed to enhance the business skills of artists and entrepreneurs working across the creative disciplines. Taught by arts business leaders with both commercial and nonprofit experience, the Business of Art curriculum is rooted in the idea that your art business is driven by two elements: your core values and the people who value what you do. Participants learn key concepts involved in goal-setting, business models, marketing and self-promotion, money management, legal issues, strategic planning, and project financing. 

From September 13 to November 15, 2023, two dozen artists from a variety disciplines will meet online weekly for online presentations by arts and business leaders who will share innovative ideas and inspiration for sustaining your art business. CCI’s publication Business of Art: An Artist’s Guide to Profitable Self-Employment (3rd Edition) and an online Business of Art Toolkit will supplement the webinars with readings, worksheets, and resources to support you in your career.

In weekly virtual seminars you will hear from experts in the field (many of whom are also practicing artists), exchange ideas and resources with your peers, and apply what you learn to growing your own arts business. In the final session, each artist will present their art business model and celebrate their accomplishment as a cohort.

This 10-week workshop will be conducted online via Zoom Meetings. Presenters will lead live, interactive workshops, and additional peer learning will take place in breakout groups. Most of the sessions will be recorded, however live participation is strongly encouraged. Breakout rooms will not be recorded.

Register early; enrollment is limited and this program will sell out!

 

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Schedule:  

This 10-week class meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Pacific) / 1:00 - 4:00 PM (Eastern).

Session 1: September 13
Presenting Yourself as an Artist 

Session 2: September 20
Identifying Your Values & Setting Goals / JEREMIAH OLAYINKA OJO

Session 3: September 27
Designing Your Business Model & Building a Business Plan / AMY KWESKIN

Session 4: October 4
Promoting Yourself & Your Work / KATRINA FRYE

Session 5: October 11
Legal Issues for Artists / JONATHAN TOBIN

Session 6: October 18
Managing Your Money / AMY SMITH

Session 7: October 25
Funding Your Art Project or Business / ELAINE GROGAN-LUTTRULL

Session 8: November 1
Moving Forward with Strategic Planning / AMY KWESKIN

Session 9: November 8
Cluster Counseling / ALL PRESENTERS

Session 10: November 15
Final Presentations & Graduation! 

 

Presenter Bios

 

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WATCH NOW: BUSINESS OF ART: PRICING EXCERPT

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Tech Requirements: 

We will use Zoom meetings to meet online. Please plan to call in from a location with a strong internet connection, where you are able to share and listen comfortably. You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with video and headphones. Workshop materials will be shared electronically via Google Drive, however you do not need a Gmail account to view those files.

 

Time Requirements:

Weekly homework assignments will be given, including reading chapters from the workbook and completing worksheets. We recommend allocating at least 1-2 hours each week for homework (depending on your reading speed). Homework will not be graded, but we have found that artists who commit time to working on their art businesses tend to benefit most from the workshop experience.

We highly encourage artists to meet up (virtually or in-person) to work on exercises together between classes. Given how isolated many artists are in their daily practice, we find that using the "buddy system" can help with confidence, motivation, and accountability.

 

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Cost: 

$250 early bird registration (ends Sept 1); then $300 thereafter.

Payment plans can be arranged. Please email jennelyn@cciarts.org with any questions.

Register

Please Note: This program is now sold out.

 

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Quick Grants & Business of Art: What to Know 

(UPDATED JUNE 20, 2023)

California-based artists may be eligible for a Quick Grant to cover Business of Art tuition. 

• The Quick Grant program awards funds up to $600 for professional development activities that build administrative capacity, hone business skills, and strengthen the financial sustainability of the grantee’s practice, area of cultural production, or arts organization. See Quick Grant guidelines, FAQ, and application portal here.

• Quick Grant applications are processed on a monthly cycle and are due on the 15th of every month with a one-month turnaround. In order to qualify for this Business of Art workshop, you must apply for the Quick Grant no later than July 15, 2023. You will be notified of your award status by August 15, 2023.

• If awarded funding, it is your responsibility to register for the Business of Art. CCI is unable to register grantees for their approved activity/ies.

IF YOU PRE-REGISTER FOR THE BUSINESS OF ART AND ARE NOT AWARDED A GRANT: You have until September 11, 2023, to cancel and request a tuition refund.

IF YOU ARE AWARDED A GRANT BUT DO NOT REGISTER BEFORE THE WORKSHOP SELLS OUT: You may request to have your awarded funds transferred to another eligible professional development activity.

Questions about Quick Grants? Email quickgrant@cciarts.org.

 

 

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Cancellation Policy: Full refund on registration fees up to 48 hours prior to first workshop date. Fees nonrefundable after that date.

Photography Policy: Center for Cultural Innovation takes photos and videos at our activities for non-commercial, archival, and promotional purposes. By attending this workshop series, you are acknowledging that your likeness may appear on our website, social media platforms, ephemera and publications, and/or archives. If you have any objections, please let us know, and thank you.

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This workshop is made possible with support from:

 

        

 

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Participant Testimonials

"Business of Art has been one of the most crucial experiences I've encountered in my career as an emerging artist. I feel inspired, with renewed vigor, a deeper well of confidence, and an excitement to keep mining my depths!"

"It was so valuable to discuss my personal experiences in my art business and discover commonalities between myself and other artists in the workshop!"

"I learned to narrow my focus toward tangible goals that will support a more sustainable practice. Throughout the program, I felt uplifted and supported by Allison, the fellow participants, and the guest teachers. It was validating to work with peers on problems and issues that resonated with all of us, knowing that we are not alone on this adventure toward creating our artistic dreams, even in the midst of the pandemic. While the experience was virtual and participants from many different areas in California, there was a true sense of community and solidarity. I needed that."

"I no longer feel like my career is a thing that’s just going to happen to me.
My career is a thing that I control." 

 

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Unable to take this workshop?

Build your entrepreneurial skills with the Business of Art workbook! 

 

PURCHASE THE BOOK

 

Schedule

Schedule

Event	Date
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, September 13, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, September 20, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, September 27, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, October 4, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, October 11, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, October 18, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, October 25, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, November 1, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, November 8, 2023
CCI - The Business of Art: Entrepreneurial Training for Artists	10:00 AM, November 15, 2023