I love the business of art!

What a great week... In my pastel studio the first part and this past Thursday, I was in Penland for a Creative Capital Professional Development workshop. (It was a refresher course for me and a chance to see the presenters.)

Even though I teach marketing and strategic planning to others, I still need professional development and inspiration from time to time. There are some things I'm doing well or have improved... but then I have my weak areas too! (And, I like to be around artists that are positive and excited about possibilities!)

You may not love the business end of art, but you should spend some of your time/energy learning about it. A business will improve with intention. (This is the idea behind writing goals and steps to achieve those goals. When you focus on something specific, you see things differently... look at opportunities in a new way.)

Another great aspect of my Penland trip was staying at the Celo Inn (www.celoinn.com/rates.html). It's about 30 minutes from Penland and is very affordable with a tasty breakfast and it's a beautiful Inn & location!! (Of course there are many cool places to stay & things to see in the Mountains!)

Professional development is important!

Call it Continuing Ed or Professional Development, it's important to improve one's self in all businesses and the arts are no exception. Actually, it could be argued that we need that kind of training even more in the arts.

College preparation is changing, but I know many folks with art degrees and little business training to help them market and plan strategically for success. With that said, artists can be some of the best business people because of their creative problem solving skills and their passion and connection with the 'product' (their art).

Even though I really enjoy the business end of art, I still need reminders as well as learning new skills in this area. I am grateful for organizations like North Carolina Arts Council, Arts and Science Council and Creative Capital for understanding and doing something about the lack of business training in the arts fields. (See www.carmellajarvi.com LINKS page for more info.)

I am very excited to be attending the one day Creative Capital workshop at Penland on September 10. One cannot beat the $40 fee for a day's instruction with this group!! Additionally, I love to share marketing and strategic planning with other artists and this fall is no exception.

I will be teaching a marketing mini-workshop at the Fort Mill Art Guild on October 17. Here's the link... http://www.fortmillartguild.com/classes/jarvi.htm. (And, if you're just getting started with the business of art, I'd highly recommend an Art Calendar subscription. It's a business magazine for artists and an excellent investment!)

A business opportunity

(Photo by Gowri Savoor of me at Vermont Studio Center last summer. I was there on a NC Arts Council Residency Grant... Jeff Pettus, of the NCAC, encouraged us to apply at a Creative Capital workshop.)

Two things... first, thank you to all the great models I have to work with and to the many folks who share their swimming pools with me! I feel very fortunate to have these summer opportunities!

And, FYI... The Creative Capital Professional Development Program (PDP) is presenting two workshops with the Penland School of Crafts in Penland, NC: a one-day workshop on Thursday, September 10, 2009 and a weekend intensive Friday, September 11-Sunday September 13, 2009. SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE for both workshops, EXCEPT MECKLENBURG CO. ARTISTS CAN ONLY APPLY TO ONE DAY WORKSHOP (see link for details).

I have attended several of Creative Capital's weekend workshops and they are excellent... lots of information, but worth it!! (Actually, their program gave me the fundamentals to quit my full time job three years ago!)

To apply or if you have questions about these events, please consult the Penland website or contact Penland Program Assistant, Leah Buchanan at leahbuchanan@penland.org. Please See: http://www.penland.org/programs/special_programs.html