2013 January

Artists want to share their talents and creativity with the world, but they also want to grow their businesses and protect their works. This seminar will give participants a broad understanding of how the law applies to their arts practice and developing businesses. Artists and entrepreneurs will leave feeling empowered to share and protect their creative work in the public realm.

Panel discussion with local musicians who have used various formats to raise money for their projects online. Focus on Kickstarter and Indiegogo and the advantages and disadvantages of these and other platforms.

Imagining ways to work with new partners in your community engaged cultural projects to build new audiences, new alliances, and new economic development.

This workshop will benefit artists, crafters, and artisans who would like to engage in on-line selling for the first time.  The workshop will also aide those who are selling on other marketplace websites who would like to explore Etsy as a selling arena.  Participants will gain basic knowledge of opening an Etsy account, creating their first “listing”,  and tips for sucessful marketing and promotion.

This workshop will be geared for people interested in working with youth, particularly by creating partnerships that provide youth opportunities in the arts for community benefit.
Outline:
1. We will first provide an overview of Youth Action Coalition (YAC) programs and mission. YAC has 5 arts-for-change programs in 3 towns in Western MA. All programs aim to empower youth through art making, social justice education and community engagement. Our 4 pillars are “I AM, I CREATE, I BELIEVE, WE CONNECT”. (15 minutes)
2. We will continue on to describe a few of the partnerships that we’ve created, such as Girls Eye View’s work with the Domestic Violence Task Force, Get Up Get Down’s creation of murals for local businesses, visiting artist programs and youth art exhibits with, at and for local businesses. (15 min)
3. Next, we will outline a framework for thinking through these collaborations by sharing our experience and discussing key considerations. (10 min)
4. Then, we would like to break out into small groups by community or region so that audience members have a chance to brainstorm and come up with potential projects and collaborations. Each group will have a chance to share their idea. (30 min)
5. Last, we will allow time for Q&A (15 min)

A discussion and presentation about the digital recording revolution and how it applies to muscians, podcasters and others who are interested in setting up a personal recording system.
The workshop will focus on the new technologies of the home recording studio and how musicians can benefit from setting up a home studio. For anyone interested in the recording arts

This discussion / workshop will look at what it takes to create a Word Festival
and how without the participation of artists, audience, business and municipal leaders it
doesn’t happen. Information as to how the GAWFest was created and works, with emphasis
on artists in the room as to whether their art form lends itself to it’s own kind of festival / public
forum.

The workshop will describe two signature initiatives of Pro Springfield Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the conversation about Springfield. This 501(c)3 was formed by TSM Design, a marketing and brand development firm. We believe artists/businesses and municipal leaders will find the workshop informative.

 

Learn how the Rethinking the Creative Economy action research team cultivated nested networks of artists for regional identity & economic development. See how an online, multi-disciplinary art show can both showcase and acknowledge local artists. (Blended audience)

Founding director of the Rockingham Arts and Museum Project, located in Bellows Falls (pop 3600) VT will share RAMP’s 5-prong approach to integrating artist and the arts into a community’s revitalization efforts and long-terms sustainability strategies. The approach includes: accessibility, housing, artist town meetings, collaborative public art initiatives and participating on boards of directors. The presentation appeals to a broad audience.