(poster created by Aaron Scamihorn)

The Arts Council of Indianapolis and Primary Colours collaborate each year to offer a series of professional development workshops for central Indiana artists. Past topics have included accounting, legal matters, portfolio development, photographing your own artwork, technology issues for artists, writing your artist statement, grant writing for artists and more. For this, our eighth year, we are leaving the summer months to drinks on patios and long weekends at the lake and starting our workshop series early this year.  Stay tuned for topics, presenters and more details on spring and fall workshops coming soon.
Upcoming Workshops:
March 21:  The Supplemental Materials Seminar
April 11:  Handling, Packing and Shipping Artwork
April 25:  How to Become a Teaching Artist

First in our spring series:

March 21: The Supplemental Materials Seminar

When submitting to any professional opportunity, your supplemental materials such as work samples, reviews and other print material can be just as important as the project or grant itself. In order to be taken seriously by a panel of professionals selecting grants or commissions, your supplemental materials must be professional and top notch. Come to this workshop to see examples of good and bad submissions. Learn what panels are looking for and what turns them off right away. If you plan on submitting for a grant, residency or gallery show this year, this workshop is a must do.

When: Wednesday, March 21, 6-7pm
Where: Arts Council of Indianapolis
924 N. Pennsylvania St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Free Parking.
Who: Artists of All Disciplines
Cost: FREE
Presenter: Shannon Linker, Director of Artist Services and Gallery 924, Arts Council of Indianapolis

Seating is limited so please RSVP with your name and the names of any guests who may be joining you to artistservices@indyarts.org. Please put the name of the workshop in the subject line.

The free workshop takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22 at the UIndy Theater at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square (1035 Sanders St. Indianapolis, IN 46203) (map).

The speaker is Eve J. Brown, Department of Business Law and Ethics, Indiana University, Bloomington. Professor Brown’s research focuses on emerging technology and new media law, particularly as it applies to copyright and other intellectual property laws. She is interested in the ways in which law can protect and promote the arts, including music, literature, film, dance, and visual art.

For more information on this or other workshops this summer, check out our ProDev page or the Arts Council’s.

Congratulations to Jeremy Pittsford, a visual communications major from Ivy Tech, who won this year’s poster design contest.

The free workshop takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22 at the UIndy Theater at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square (1035 Sanders St. Indianapolis, IN 46203) (map).

Panelists include:

• Julia Muney Moore, Public Art Administrator for Blackburn Architects, who managed the public art projects at the Indianapolis Airport and is now in charge of the Wishard Hospital public art process.
• Cindy Dunston Quirk,  a freelance writer and arts advocate.
• Kate Oberriech, an active member of the Stutz Artists Association who plays an integral role in the Stutz Residency program selection process.

Artists are encouraged to bring their current artist statement and if they wish, they can leave their statements behind so one of the panelists can critique and email suggestions.

For more information on this or other workshops this summer, check out our ProDev page or the Arts Council’s.

OTHER WORKSHOPS

July 13: Entertainment Law

Congratulations to Jeremy Pittsford, a visual communications major from Ivy Tech, who won this year’s poster design contest.

The free workshop takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22 at the UIndy Theater at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square (1035 Sanders St. Indianapolis, IN 46203) (map)

Anne Valentine of the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Susan Britsch of the Indiana Arts Commission share tips and best practices for arts grant writing.

For more information on this or other workshops this summer, check out our ProDev page or the Arts Council’s.

OTHER WORKSHOPS

June 29: Writing an Affective Artist Statement

July 13: Entertainment Law

Congratulations to Jeremy Pittsford, a visual communications major from Ivy Tech, who won this year’s poster design contest.

For more detailed information, click to our ProDev page or check out the Workshop page on the Arts Council’s site.

Space is limited for these free workshops, so be sure to RSVP to Hugh Vandivier promptly at hugh@primarycolours.org.

ALL WORKSHOPS BEGIN AT 6PM AND ARE FREE.

NEW LOCATION! The Arts Council of Indianapolis has moved to a new building at 924 N. Pennsylvania Street (map), right next to the Living Room Lounge. All workshops will take place in their new offices.

Free parking is available in the lot just to the north of the building, on the street, or across the street in the apartment parking lot.

Please feel free to bring a coffee, bottled water, or a light snack with you.

July 28 Workshop – CANCELED

August 11, 6pm: Licensing your Artwork (DATE CHANGE from July 28!)

For artists interested in licensing their work for everything from calendars and greeting cards to posters and wine labels, Betsy Knotts can help. Betsy is not only a glass artist in her own right, she is also responsible for licensing the Garfield characters. Betsy and trademark lawyer Connie Lindman will take you through the process of licensing your work while still protecting your copyright and interests.

New this year: Due to high demand from artists who would like to connect with other artists, we have added networking opportunities to each workshop. Come to the workshops then join other artists and presenters at a nearby cafe, coffee shop or watering hole to continue the conversation in a more casual environment.

1. Gain a different perspective on arts marketing
2. Identify their personal mantra and artistic values
3. Learn how to translate those values into specific marketing tactics that will ultimately connect more people to their art

Each participant also received an electronic copy of Adam’s e-Book, Authentic Arts Marketing.

Speaker:

Adam Thurman is President of Mission Paradox, a consulting firm that focuses on connecting art and audience in Chicago, IL.  As part of Mission Paradox he has led presentations and workshops for Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Civic Knowledge Project and the Arts and Business Council.  He also maintains a widely read arts marketing blog at www.missionparadox.com In addition, Adam is the Director of Marketing and communications at Court Theatre, one of the largest nonprofit theatres in Chicago. During his tenure as Director of Marketing the theatre has had some of the highest grossing productions in their more than 50-year history.   He has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by Americans For the Arts and the Theatre Communication Group. He has also been featured in Time Out New York and the Chicago Tribune.

For many artists, creating your work is the easy part. But how do you sell it in order to “share it” with others? How do you mix and mingle, engage and close a sale, and enjoy the whole experience? It is an art form in itself! Learn tried-and-true tips from artists, gallery owners, and others for engaging casually interested buyers and turn them from simply interested into full-fledged arts patrons.

Panelists:

Pauline Moffatt, Executive Director of the IndyFringe Festival. Along with her current role working with hundreds of performing artists, Pauline spent eight years in Melbourne Australia working with the Hotel for the Arts promoting and profiling emerging and established visual artists who exhibited in the building.

Ron Zimmerman, Vice President and COO at Elona Biotechnologies, Inc. with 17 years of salesmanship experience including managing and training sales teams of over 100 professionals.

Linda Dorman, Studio Manager for Tom Torluemke Studio and former gallery owner

Tom Torluemke, artist and former gallery owner

The winning poster was designed by Julia Stitt, who is currently a sophomore at Ivy Tech Community College. She is pursuing a degree in Visual Communication with concentrations in Graphic Design and Web Design, and she expects to graduate in Spring of 2011 with an Associate of Applied Science. Julia’s interest in print design and layout was prompted during her freshman year of high school when she contributed to the design of the school yearbook. Besides design, she also has a passion for travel, photography, and chocolate.

Nice job, Julia, and thanks to all who participated.

Installation Nation The buzz was tremendous last year from our inaugural event featuring installation art pieces assembled within the confines of large, metal shipping containers, all on a vacant, donated lot in Lockerbie. Installation Nation returns in June exhibiting innovative art accompanied by music, food, drink, and frivolity.
Professional Development Series We’re teaming up once again with the Arts Council of Indianapolis to conduct a series of free workshops designed specifically for the emerging career artist. We have a preliminary slate set up to start the middle of June and run through the end of July. This year’s workshops will include time for networking after each session.
Art vs. ArtTM Infamous from coast to coast, the winner-take-all painting competition with a twist returns with a vengeance in September. For those of you unfamiliar with this unique event, here’s the gist: Artists have four hours to paint with provided materials. Paintings making the finals square off side-by-side with audience vote determining the winner. Losing paintings face the “Wheel of Death” unless someone’s purchase saves the painting from a ruinous fate. Artists receive 70% from the sale of their art. Last year’s Main Event was a barn burner at the Vogue. Don’t miss it this year!
TOYS Last year saw the return of our holiday invitational art exhibition with chutzpah! Our artists proved that you never know just what to expect when they fashion their pieces around the theme of toys. TOYS will arrive just in time for the holidays in December.

Stay Tuned…

Interspersed with these events, look for Primary Colours out and about in the community. Watch this space for updates and happenings.

For those who attended a session and have not filled out a survey, they are available online until August 1. Just click the session below:

• #1 The Complete Portfolio – July 1
• #2 Alternative Spaces in a Changing Art Scene – July 15
• #3 Artist Public Relations for Visual and Performing Artists – July 29

(Surveys are now completed. Thanks for your feedback.)

Many thanks to Shannon Linker of the Arts Council for her great work in putting on these workshops. If you have an idea for a future workshop, just let us know.