Tag Archives: professional development for artists

Nonprofit Financial Stewardship Webinar: Introduction to Accounting and Financial Statements

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This FREE Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting and Financial Statements webinar series is a must for all NFP Board Members or aspiring Board Members. Run by Harvard University, the course is designed to introduce basic nonprofit accounting concepts and financial statements to individuals who have had little or no experience with finance or accounting.

This self-paced webinar is being held in conjunction with the Nonprofit Financial Stewardship Executive Education program at Harvard Kennedy School.

Peeling the Onion on Artist Statements

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Last week had three happy days with the creative class in beautiful Hervey Bay. For this program we were exploring the theme of confidently writing and communicating about an arts practice. Bit like peeling away the layers of an onion to find a gem. Shocking mixed metaphor but getting to the heart and soul of an artist’s practice can be personally very challenging. But what success! Some very beautiful stories and artist’s statements; many of which were captured on video for web sites etc. Always a joy to visit this part of the world and have fun at work. Thanks to Melissa and the Hervey Bay Regional Council.

 

More Arts Business in Rocky

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Another great trip to glorious subtropical Rocky over the weekend. This time I was working with the hardy group of cultural champions on the finer points of writing about, documenting and presenting an art practice and the even finer but slightly more challenging topics of preparing budgets and managing finances. Had a happy time with this enthusiastic group and hopefully was of some assistance in helping them along the way to a sustainable arts practice. Thank you all for making the trip so enjoyable. Thanks again to Mark and Arts CQ and to Flying Arts Alliance.

Getting On With Arts Business in Central Queensland

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It’s a wonderful subtropical winter in Rockhampton and fortunately I had the chance to visit for the weekend and spend some time with an enthusiastic group of artists, writers and musicians. The hardy members of this creative group were keen to set up or further develop their arts business’ and gain a little more insight in to how to better connect with the arts business world and their customers. Lots of engagement and enthusiastic curiosity – just the energy and focus needed to enhance the prospects of arts business success.  Looking forward to coming back soon to complete the professional development workshop series. Thank you to Mark at Arts Central Queensland Inc. and Flying Arts Alliance Inc. Rocky is looking great and happily had the chance to drop in at the Cri and bask in many good memories of trips past.

Top picture: The old Court House, home of the new Smart Hub.
Below: The classic Criterion Hotel

Embracing Arts Marketing in Moreton Bay

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The last of a series of arts business workshops in Moreton Bay this weekend. Great group visual artists and a couple of writers. This week it was all about marketing and the essential principles of unashamedly getting art to market. The customer focused marketing concept is not that mysterious but the topic can become a little complex when it comes to defining your arts business, identifying your customers and knowing how to reach them – in a mutually rewarding way. Simple idea but can be one of the toughest topics. Thanks everybody for your great contributions. Good luck with your art business. And thanks to the Moreton Bay Arts Council and Flying Arts Alliance.

Hot Topics for Artists in Cool Caloundra

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Lucky enough to return to beautiful, beachside Caloundra on Saturday and the really cool Caloundra Regional Gallery. Following the public art development strategy last year, this trip was about working with local artists on the challenges of writing about, documenting and presenting their art in order to increase public and commercial opportunities. Once out from the comfort of a studio and in the public arena, it’s important for artists to have the skills and confidence to talk about their work, write about it for different purposes and platforms and know how to best document and present their work for various opportunities. Happily these are all skills that can all be learnt, practised and perfected. Best thing is to grasp the principles and have a go. And inspiration is everywhere; go seek. Thanks to CRG and Flying Arts Alliance. An inspiring day out.

Artwork. ‘Drawn Together Caloundra’ 2014.
Adam Lewczuk, Ryan Sullivan, John Waldron, David Houghton.

Noosa Embraces Art Marketing Essentials

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Full house at the Noosa Regional Gallery yesterday. Visual artists from around the region sat down with me to explore the mystery of Marketing Essentials – getting your art to market. It can be a challenging topic for creatives.  What business am I in? What are the opportunities available to me in the market place? Who are my customers and how do I reach them? Happily with a clear approach, a few basic principles and a marketing tool box to make use of, the mystery of marketing begins to make sense. A great day out with an enthusiastic, creative group. Good luck all. I look forward to coming back to deliver the next two workshops in the professional development series. Thanks to Noosa Shire Council and Flying Arts Alliance.

*An excellent exhibition; well worth the trip. NRG until 6 May.

Pathway to Greater Funding Success

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Quick trip up to Noosa yesterday for a stimulating session with local artists and art workers on the principles of writing grant and funding applications – which have a greater chance of success. Like most things, the essence is in the planning so ensuring that having a clear, well founded idea matched with a grant program of best fit is the starting point of a good application. Get the preparation right and writing the application itself is the easy bit. Thanks to Noosa Shire Council and Flying Arts Alliance. An enjoyable day’s work.

Image: Noosa Botanical Gardens

Eventful Return to the Central Highlands

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Happy to be back in Emerald, Qld over the last few days. Haven’t been there for a few years and the town is looking great – as is the coffee. This trip I was lucky enough to work with the cultural champions from around the region brushing up on event and project management and marketing. Key messages included: a project management approach to event/project management will help to take the cry out of crisis management; and an understanding of the key principles of marketing will help ensure that a project or event will engage with its intended audience and that promotion will cut through the noise. Enjoyed being back in the Central Highlands. Best wishes for continued event and project success.

Image: The Big Easel. Painting by Cameron Cross