ARTpreneur Conference to Help Artists Succeed at Business

The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre presents the region’s first ever conference for artistic entrepreneurs: ARTpreneur. The Conference will be held on October 30th, 2008 at the Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre, Cornwall, Ontario.

This all-day conference is a unique learning event that will appeal to a wide variety of creative professionals, including painters, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, magicians, sculptors, comedians and photographers.

“We have many talented, creative people in Cornwall and SD&G,” said Alyssa Blais, the Business Consultant in charge of the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “Yet the business side of selling their art offers unique challenges and opportunties. The conference is designed to address a number of these issues, including marketing, copyright law and finding an agent.”

Presentations will be given by experts in the art and business world from around Ontario and Quebec. Michael Shumate, author of the book Success in the Arts, will focus his keynote address on the qualities that promote success in the arts. His light-hearted and humorous approach to serious topics has made him a popular and effective speaker.

“I think the idea behind ARTpreneur is brilliant,” said Tracy-Lynn Chisholm, local artist and owner of Serenity Studio. “The arts community has made some great strides in creating a broader awareness of the talent we have in the area, and this conference will bring visual artists, musicians and others under one tent to learn some vitally important business skills.”

A full list of speakers and seminar topics can be found on the conference website: http://www.artpreneur.com. Conference registration is now open and in addition to the website, registration forms can be found at many studios and galleries throughout the region. All area artists are welcome to attend the ARTpreneur Conference; however they must register in advance as space is limited. The fee is $30.00 per participant. The registration fee includes entrance to all sessions, lunch and many extras.

The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre helps small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed in Cornwall and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry by offering information, tools and support during their start-up and growth stages of business operation. The Centre also offers seminars, workshops and networking opportunities that are designed with the entrepreneur in mind.

The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is operated by Cornwall Economic Development in partnership with the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services.