Not the same old business skills class . . .

Whereas a traditional professional development programs are primarily lecture driven with content developed and presented on an ad hoc basis by business professionals, Artist INC employs a unique class design focusing on the three major components of adult learning:

1. mentorship
2. peer networks
3. knowledge

Artist INC uses local artist facilitators that have demonstrated success in the business end of their artistic career to lead large group discussions, present artist-specific content in the functional areas of business and to lead small group discussion teams. Through weekly small group discussion teams artists practice application of the business concepts presented in class and build long-term networks of peers to access for professional development after the workshop. The three-hour weekly class is divided in thirds, with the first hour focused on directed large group discussion of topical issues, the second hour featuring multi-media lecture material on the functional areas of business and the third hour spent in small group discussion and direct application of class concepts.

Weekly workshop schedule

Participants in the Artist INC workshop meet for three-hour sessions, once a week for eight weeks.

1. The Business Art Paradox, strategic planning and goal setting for your art (they really do go together)
2. Marketing Your Art (without selling your soul), communicating the message of your art
3. Budget is Not a Four Letter Word, managing money and financial planning
4. Better Than Pulling Teeth, writing about your work
5. Zen and the Law of Art,  business structure, intellectual property, and basic legal issues facing artists
6. Show Me the Money, finding grants and fellowships and raising capital
7. Artist.com, understanding the technology artists need to use
8. Opening Night:  sharing your completed artist's plan