ProDev Series
For the sixth summer, we’re teaming up with The Arts Council of Indianapolis to bring you the 2010 Professional Development Series. Workshops are a free resource to artists and are a valuable tool for sharpening your business skills, promoting your work, and for networking with other professional artists. Click here for an archive of resources and information.
Mark your calendars for the following evenings, and watch the Artist E-news and this page in the coming weeks for details on topics and speakers. All workshops are free and open to any area artist and will take place at the new offices of Arts Council of Indianapolis, now located at 924 N. Pennsylvania St. (map).
June 30, 6pm: The Art of the Sale
For many artists, creating your work is the easy part. Now, how do you sell it? Learn some tried-and-true tricks from artists, gallery owners, and salespeople for engaging casually interested buyers and making the sale without resorting to an uncomfortable high-pressure pitch.
July14, 6pm: Authentic Arts Marketing
Presenter Adam Thurman from Chicago helps artists take their values and translate them into effective marketing tactics through group work and facilitated discussion.
July 28, 6pm: Licensing your Artwork
For artists interested in licensing their work for everything from calendars and greeting cards to wine bottle labels, Betsy Knotts, an artist, and Connie Lindman, who does the licensing for Garfield and is a trademark lawyer. Both will present how artists can do license their work and make money while protecting themselves and their copyrights.
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.
Locations and presenters TBD.
ARCHIVE: 2009 Artist Professional Development Workshops: Summer Series
July 1, 2009 – The Complete Portfolio
Participants learned the essential components of building an effective portfolio. Christopher West related his experiences of what gallery owners and curators are looking for and what turns them off completely about artist submissions. Jim Clinger taught the basics of capturing your artwork digitally. Mary Shaw described the services available for capturing representative images of your work. Shannon Linker and Hugh Vandivier outlined how to write effective grants.
July 15, 2009 – Alternative Spaces in a Changing Art Scene
In our changing climate as commercial galleries come and go, the availability and perhaps the need for alternative spaces becomes more relevant for artists. A panel from the IDADA Ethics and Fair Practices Committee discussed the pros and cons of showing your work in an alternative space, gave tips for making it work for you, and provided basic guidelines for making a successful exhibition. Panelists included Dan Cooper, artist; Mark Ruschman, gallerist; Cindy Wingo, artist; Shannon Linker, arts administrator and artist advocate; Jason Zickler, artist and current president of IDADA; and Ellie Siskind, artist.
July 29, 2009 – PR for Visual and Performing Artists
Participants learned from those in know how to talk to the media, mix and mingle with potential patrons at shows and more. Visual artists can sometimes be seen at their openings standing in the corner talking to their friends instead of engaging potential patrons. Networking and talking about your work may come more naturally for performing artists, but they would also benefit from this workshop. James Moriarity and Tracie Wells talked about how to approach and engage your audience.
ARCHIVE: 2008 Artist Professional Development Workshops: Summer Series
July 16, 2008 – Basic Business Practices for Artists
John Long of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and Sharon O’Donoghue of Business Owners Initiative presented a variety of topics helpful for artists starting and running their own business.
July 30, 2008 – Framing and Presentation
Participants learned the basics of framing their own work as well as how to build structurally sound stretcher frames. The workshop were held in the woodshop of Herron School of Art & Design on the IUPUI campus. Presenters included Brian Myers, artist and manager of the Herron woodshop, and Sarah Adams, owner of AV Framing and Gallery in Fountain Square.
August 6, 2008 – PR for Artists and Small Arts Organizations
Participants learned the basics of how to talk to a reporter, what information they need to have ready and available, as well as how to get a writer, magazine editor, TV station or newspaper interested in them and their work. Presenters included Lisa Sirkin, founder and president of Gracie Communications; Barbara Cohen, freelance arts writer, educator and art historian; and David Hoppe, arts editor, NUVO newsweekly.
