ARTS & SCIENCE COUNCIL

Scroll down for a complete listing of all ASC-sponsored workshops and training opportunities.

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Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute

Program Dates:
October 9 - 9:00am-6:00pm
November 13 - 9:00am-6:00pm
December 11 - 9:00am-6:00pm

Location:
Arts & Science Council
227 W Trade Street, Ste. 250
Charlotte, NC 28202

Cost:*
$125 Early Bird Registration before September 1
$150 Regular Registration after September 1
CLICK HERE to register online.
Registration includes instruction, all materials and food service for all three Saturday sessions. Free parking is available onsite.

About the Program:
Created and piloted by the Community Partnership for Art and Culture (CPAC), AEI is a comprehensive course of study designed to provide visual, literary, media and performing artists with the basics of business from start up to bringing a product or service to market. The 18-module course is taught by local business professionals, artists and non-artists, practicing in a variety of small business functions. Sessions include a mix of lectures, panels, group discussions and practical exercises. Topics and reading materials include understanding consumers, developing a brand and product mix, pricing practices, communications strategies, copyright, taxes and writing a business plan. The AEI curriculum offers critical support for artists, enabling them to contribute to strengthening the vitality of the larger urban arts and culture sector.

For sample program schedule and details, click here.

Support:
The Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute is made possible with support from Dominion and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). Additional support is provided by the Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The John P. Murphy Foundation and the Kulas Foundation.

*Scholarships:
Partial scholarships are available and will be awarded based on need. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please submit a letter expressing your interest in the program and explaining why it is important that you receive scholarship support in order to participate. It will also be helpful if you can let us know how much you are able to contribute. Please send your request to Katherine Mooring ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). In order to consider you for a scholarship, we must receive your request NO LATER THAN September 1, 2010. In the event a scholarship is not available, we are also willing to work out payment plans with participants on a case-by-case basis.

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Public Art Academy for Artists
September 29, 2010 - 2:00-3:30pm (ASC Board Room, 227 W Trade St, Ste 250)
October 13, 2010 - 2:00-3:30pm (ASC Board Room, 227 W Trade St, Ste 250)
November 3, 2010 - 2:00-3:30pm (Location TBD)

This three-part webinar series will give you all the information and tools you need to understand contracts and manage project timelines and budgets.

Presenters: Barbara Goldstein, Public Art Director, City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs; Steven Huss, Cultural Arts Manager, City of Oakland, Cultural Arts Marketing Department

Moderator: Liesel Fenner, Public Art Program Manager, Americans for the Arts, Washington, DC

ASC is hosting these webinars as a free service for artists through our membership with Americans for the Arts.

Click here to RSVP for these sessions.

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Arts Accessibility and Inclusion Workshops
Tuesday, October 26 - TWO session times listed below
ASC Board Room (227 W Trade Street, Ste 250)

Arts Access is offering Charlotte-Mecklenburg arts and cultural organizations the opportunity to learn more about accessibility for people with disabilities. Gather with others in the field seeking information and resources for achieving accessibility, share experiences and learn about resources that will build a foundation to support access and inclusion in the arts. We encourage you to attend both sessions but if you are unable to the content will stand alone for each session.

Session 1: Introduction to Accessibility: 10:00am-12:30pm

By attending Introduction to Accessibility, you will strengthen your understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how its regulations impact your organization. We will identify resources, as well as easy and low-cost solutions that will help your organization become fully accessible and inclusive. Learn strategies for making access an attainable goal for your organization.

Session 2: Accessibility and Customer Service 1:00-3:30pm

Focusing on customer service, participants of the Accessibility and Customer Service workshop will learn best practices for interacting with people of all abilities, people-first language, and skills for developing relationships with people with disabilities in your community. Discover ways to increase community involvement and strengthen your programs by promoting accessible features and inclusive customer services. Ideal for box office staff, ushers and docents.

The registration fee for one session is $20 per person. If you choose to attend both sessions, your total registration fee is $30 per person. Click here to register online.

To learn more about Arts Access, Inc., please visit www.artsaccessinc.org.

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PREVIOUS OFFERINGS

Grantseeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts

Tuesday, June 22
2:00 - 4:00 PM

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Main Library Auditorium
310 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

This (free!) course will prepare you to find grantmakers that award funds directly to individuals in the arts. Learn how and why funders make grants to individuals, how to articulate your funding needs, the best search tools and more.

Presenters:

Lydia Towery, Librarian / Foundation Center Collection Coordinator, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Heather Pontonio, Program Director, Grants & Creative Individuals, Arts & Science Council

To register, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFTS

The Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg (ASC) is pleased to announce five new scholarships for artists attending summer 2010 sessions at Penland School of Crafts. These $500 scholarships are available to residents of Mecklenburg County and may be used for one-, two-, or two-and-a-half week Penland workshops scheduled between June 13 and September 4, 2010 (this covers Penland summer sessions 2-7). Students already enrolled in these sessions are welcome to apply for these scholarships. Selection will be based on financial need and artistic merit, so applicants will be asked to submit five images of their work (in any medium).

Applications for this scholarship must be received at Penland by June 3, 2010; applicants will be notified on June 4, 2010. (Please note that Express Mail and overnight services do not always deliver overnight to our rural location.) The minimum age for Penland classes is 18. The scholarships are available for any classes that still have open spaces in Penland summer sessions 2-7. A current list of open classes is available by clicking here.

Applications must include the following:

A Penland School summer application form (available in the Penland catalog or by download from the summer classes page. Write “ASC Scholarship” in the Instructor Name column of the application form. If you are already enrolled in a Penland summer class, you do not need to fill out an application--just mention in your letter that you are already enrolled.
A resume.
One letter of reference that addresses your commitment to learning.
A letter no more than two pages long addressing these two areas:
Financial need: why attending Penland would be a financial hardship for you.
Seriousness of intent: your background and experience in art or craft, and a statement of the artistic goals you hope to pursue in the class you are applying for.
Five images of your work in any medium (does not have to be the same medium as the class you are applying for). These images may be printed (maximum size: 8-1/2 x 11) or they may be digital files on a CD. Digital images should be in JPG format and should be big enough that they can be viewed clearly on a computer screen (about 800 pixels long is a good size). Please don’t send files larger than 1 MB each.

If you are not already enrolled in a Penland class, you do not need to send a processing fee or a deposit with your application. If you are selected for the scholarship, you will be asked to pay a $45 processing fee along with the cost of tuition, room, and board minus the $500 value of the scholarship.

Penland welcomes serious students of all levels of experience--absolute beginners to professionals. We seek a diverse student population representing varied experiences, backgrounds, races, professions, and ages (minimum age 18). Some classes are tailored for beginners and some require prior experience; most welcome a range of skill levels. Penland accepts students regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender, gender identification, or sexual orientation.

If you have questions about the scholarship application process, please contact Gretchen Travers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 828-765-2359.

Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Penland offers one-, two-, and eight-week workshops in books & paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, and wood. The school also sponsors artists' residencies, community education programs, and a craft gallery.

PREVIOUS OFFERINGS:

New Connections: Audience Development through Web 2.0 and Social Media
A Special National Arts Marketing Project Mini-Conference
Wednesday, April 14 - 8:30am-5:00pm
Harris Conference Center - Charlotte, NC

Topics will include:

Online marketing initiatives that will encourage new strategies and tactics for increased audience engagement
How to ensure that your organization or message cuts through the noise
How your online presence can better capitalize on other marketing and sales initiatives
Thinking tactically about e-mail marketing and websites
How to make online referrals, viral marketing, and good old-fashioned networking work for you
and MUCH MORE!

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:

Behind the Curtain: Sharing Your Story
Presenter: Jaki Levy

Social media provides a wealth of channels for arts and cultural organizations. But how do you ensure that your organization cuts through the noise? Letting patrons “behind the curtain” online brings great rewards and excitement. The presenter will provide an overview of online marketing strategies that utilize interactions with the real creative work of artists, staff or other key players happening behind the scenes, via social media and online tools. Participants should be prepared to address online marketing initiatives that will encourage new strategies and tactics for increased audience engagement.

Building Blocks: Figuring out Your Online Approach
Presenter: Ron Evans

For arts and cultural organizations, e-mail and websites provide great exposure. But an organization’s online presence doesn’t always capitalize on its other marketing and sales initiatives. This session is designed to get organizations thinking tactically about e-mail marketing and websites. First, participants will study how and why cultural consumers use the Internet and social media to make entertainment decisions. Participants will then cover the basics of effective online marketing – what works and what doesn't. The presenter will also discuss the necessary staff time to make online marketing work.

Speaking Socially: A Deeper Understanding of Social Media
Presenter: Allison Fine

The top reason audiences cite when asked how they heard about a cultural event or offering is “from a friend.” And increasingly, friends are talking through social networking tools. How can organizations make word of mouth happen online? Are there strategies for disseminating messages about arts and cultural organizations? Participants will find out how to make online communities, referrals, and good old-fashioned networking work. The presenter will also discuss how networking relates to social change and deeper engagement in the overall cultural sector.

Click here for overall schedule.
Click here for speaker bios.

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Workshop for Artists: Photoshop Elements 8
Friday, March 26 - 9:00am-4:30pm
ASC Board Room (227 W Trade Street, Ste 250)
Cost: $60.00

Presenter: Lori Neil

Learn how to put your best foot forward with the best selling image manipulation tool available on the market today. Photoshop Elements 8 for Artists is a new workshop developed from the ground up with the artist in mind. This workshop utilizes the most current release (Adobe Photoshop Elements 8) available today, and not only provides an overview of the functions, but clearly guides the artist through real life examples in a targeted fashion.

The Role of Staff Leadership in Building a Philanthropic Culture
Sponsored by ASC & The Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust

Wednesday, March 31 - 8:30-11:30am
ASC Board Room (227 W Trade Street, Ste 250)
Cost: $20.00 - 40.00

Presenter: Karla Williams (click here for bio)

A philanthropic culture is key to successful fundraising, and it starts with staff leadership. Throughout the evolution of arts and cultural organizations, philanthropy has played a unique role in sustainability. In good times and bad times, philanthropy is our navigating tool; creating audiences, resources and community engagement. This session will focus on how to build an internal culture of philanthropy that results in a synergy that grows external contributions. Learn how a culture enhancement begins with the staff leadership team.

Organizations are strongly encouraged to register in teams of at least TWO to enable workshop learning and practical application to go further; special rates are available for teams of up to three to encourage this level of participation/investment.

Attendees will be asked to complete an advance survey outlining current philanthropic practices prior to the session.

Working Simply Lab for Creative People:
Get More Done -- Effectively Managing Tasks and Time

Friday, February 5 - 9:00am-12:00pm
ASC Board Room (227 W Trade Street, Ste 250)
Cost: $25.00

In an ideal world we’d be putting all our time and energy into creative work, but the realities of modern work often seem to be conspiring against us. And in lots of ways the scenario is getting worse. The wonderful thing about modern technology is the amount of communication and information-sharing it facilitates. And the awful thing about modern technology is the amount of communication and information-sharing it facilitates. We are deluged with new information and connections, via telephones, e-mail, websites, blogs and social networking technology.

This workshop provides instant solutions to restore productivity, effectiveness and order so you can overcome the messy, clutter-filled and time-wasting activities that create chaotic minds and offices...and get back to what you really love!

This is no lecture. This is a hands-on interactive lab. Bring your laptop, Blackberry, or other communication devices to create the system that will change your world. You will work with your tools -- email, calendar and task list -- to maintain simplicity and sanity at work and in your life. You will learn to:

* Stop the crush of information
* Sync up your technology tools to increase your efficiency
* Boost performance with a real task list
* Re-invent the way you manage time
* Learn the "Priority Quadrant" to take actio

Presenter: Carson Tate, CPO®
For more information on her approach, click here to visit her website.

Due to the need to provide individual attention/coaching for each attendee, this workshop is limited to 20 participants.

Customer Care: Enhancing Patron Experience & Loyalty
A Special National Arts Marketing Project Mini-Conference
Wednesday, December 9 - 8:30am-4:30pm
Thursday, December 10 - 8:30am-1:30pm
Charlotte Convention Center - Charlotte, NC

CLICK HERE for schedule of sessions and complete details.

Registration for this conference is now closed.

We all know that it costs a lot less to keep an existing customer or a committed donor than to find a new one. With the economic downturn affecting budgets and revenues, arts and cultural organizations have to work harder than ever to retain loyal constituents, but this work is a critical investment in the future of our organizations.

How can we get to know our patrons better and entice them to be lifetime supporters?
How can we take our donor and customer relationships to the next level?
How can we move our patrons along the value continuum, from single ticket buyers/one-time visitors, to subscribers, members and, ultimately, to donors?

To help us answer these and other related questions, ASC has partnered with the National Arts Marketing Project (a program of Americans for the Arts) to host a 1.5 day "mini-conference" right here in Charlotte. We hope this will be a fantastic (and affordable) opportunity to learn from outstanding national presenters, share best practices and take away new and improved strategies to increase revenue, build audiences and fundraise more effectively.

We are pleased to welcome three wonderful national speakers:

Kate Prescott, President of Prescott & Associates - click here for bio.

Philippe Ravanas, Professor in the graduate program of the Arts, Entertainment & Media Management Department at Columbia College in Chicago - click here for bio.

Gerald Yoshitomi - independent cultural facilitator/consultant with Meaning Matters - click here for bio.

Coming in from out-of-town? Here are some nearby hotels to consider.

The Historic Dunhill Hotel
The Dunhill Hotel is ASC's primary hotel partner and is offering a rate of $109/night for conference attendees. To receive this special rate, please contact Randi Cashion, Sales Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 704-506-3301.

The Westin Charlotte
601 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Click here to take advantage of fall special for Carolinas residents (Corporate Account Number 370821).

Courtyard by Marriot, Charlotte City Center
237 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Aloft Charlotte Uptown
210 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Click here to take advantage of fall special for Carolinas residents (Corporate Account Number 370821).

Questions? Contact Katherine Mooring at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Each month, ASC sends an e-blast which lists upcoming workshops, training and funding opportunities offered by ASC and other providers. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To view an online version of the latest opportunities offered by other providers, click here.

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