Report on ACWC “Business Training for Artists”

Newfane, April 25, 7:00-8:30 PM

A group of 15 or so gathered to hear the experience of Windham County artists who participated in the Vermont Arts Council (VAC) “Breaking into Business” workshop in February and to discuss how to provide better business training for artists in our area.  See list of attendees with emails.

Greg Worden, VAC board member and Arts Council of Windham County (ACWC) president introduced the panel and guided the conversation.  Four of the seven Windham County participants in the VAC workshop were present and talked about their experience. Windham County artisans Brad Dinwiddie, Antoinette Lane, Ellie Roden, Heather Bartels-Hallenbeck, Marilyn Buhlmann, Alyssa Morar and Dianne Yelton were selected for the VAC workshop.

The workshop was two days: the first focused on business organization and practices and the second on marketing strategies and tools.  There was a follow up session a month later to review progress and provide training on Grant Writing, specifically $500 VAC implementation grants available to workshop participants based on written Business or Marketing plans.  Several Windham County participants won grants.  Leadership was provided by two trainers from the UMass Arts Extension Service www.artsextensionservice.org and was considered by all to be excellent: organized, fast paced, responsive, relevant. A book “The Artist in Business” was provided to all participants.

The 22 participants were selected through an application process and represented a range of experience and perspective.

The content of the workshop was mostly review and reminder of basics for most participants, and the real value was in seeing oneself as an artist in the context of peers and business potential.  There were many small group working sessions and this peer perspective and support was most valued.  The workshop helped all take themselves and their art more seriously and develop focused action steps specific to their goals, abilities, and business needs.

Reflections:

The words Marketing and Accountability reoccurred in the reports.

The UMass Arts Extension Service is a resource Windham County should learn how to use.

Peer support; providing inspiration, contacts, experience, and accountability; seems key and can be provided locally.

There are a lot of resources available and a list for area artists might be helpful.

Nettie Lane

Sheryll Fletcher

Ellie Roden

Alyssa Morar