NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur, St. Lawrence County Arts Council (SLC Arts)

Artists of all disciplines living and working in The North Country in Northern New York are encouraged to apply to participate in this free entrepreneurial program to be presented by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council in Canton, NY, from September 26 – 29.

The NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program is an intensive professional development opportunity that serves artists and creatives of all disciplines (including visual, literary, and performing arts, among others). This 3.5-day program delves into the fundamental principles of sustainability in the arts, empowering artists with the tools to imagine and pursue success as they define it.

Whether you’re looking for a shift in thinking, strategies for your arts/creative business, or peer networks, this program provides dynamic planning tools for building a blueprint for your creative practice or art project.

Participants will Benefit From Dive into Content

Dive into topics including strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, financial literacy, writing about your work, and/or art law, with additional material adapted from NYFA’s popular The Profitable Artist (Allworth Press, 2018) textbook.

Join a Peer Cohort

Gain access to a community of like-minded peers working across disciplines, with opportunities to stay in touch to support each others’ creative practice beyond the program.

Develop an Artist Action Plan

Work through flexible and dynamic tools that will provide a blueprint for your practice or specific art project. You’ll have the opportunity to share and discuss this “Artist Action Plan” among your peers.

Participate in Work Sample Reviews

Receive work sample reviews from professionals in their discipline, such as curators and artistic directors. Designed to give artists insight into the jury selection process, this individualized feedback is modeled after NYFA’s Fellowship Program.

Access Arts Industry Experts

Led by NYFA’s expert staff and arts industry experts in your community, such as local funders, curators, presenters, publishers, artistic directors, etc.

Engage with Your Creative Community

Customized to fit the needs of participants and partners hosting the program, each program’s structure includes a blend of presentations, panels, interactive workshops, and breakout groups.

Apply by Thursday, August 8, 11:59 PM.

Program Dates and Details & Eligibility

Artists of all disciplines (Visual, Multidisciplinary, Performing, Literary, Interdisciplinary, Social Practice, Folk and Traditional, Film, Video, and New Media) and career stages, including students, are encouraged to apply.

Open to artists living and working in The North Country in Northern New York (e.g., Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Warren, Hamilton, and/or Herkimer Counties).

Program Dates

Attendance is mandatory for all sessions.

Meet and Greet and Artist as Entrepreneur Introductions – Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Intensive running from Friday – Sunday, September 27-29, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily.

Please check your calendar before applying.

How to Apply – Please submit an application via Submittable by Thursday, August 8, 11:59 PM. First-time users will need to register with Submittable to access the application portal. For technical questions regarding submittable, please contact Submittable support.

Application Requirements – Artists interested in attending are required to apply. For the application, we ask you to provide:

Your long-term goals and why you are interested in applying to this program

A narrative bio of your professional career

A link to your website or online presence

Work samples with work statement and description (please note these materials be reviewed by art professionals as part of the Work Sample Review portion of the program).

Selection Process & Notification

Applications are selected through a panel review process with representatives from both NYFA and the partnering organization, along with outside professionals on a case-by-case basis. All applicants will be notified by August 29, 2024.

Questions? Please email [email protected] with the subject line “Artist as Entrepreneur, SLC.”