Free Artist Financial & Business Online Workshops
WINTER 2021-2022 OFFERINGS
for MA, RI & CT
Southfield, MA, artist Sophie Eisner (2021)
All workshops are FREE and held via Zoom, with pre-registration required to keep the cohorts at a size that maximizes participation and peer support.
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION PRIORITIES: Our workshops are open to artists who currently live in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut or are current/recent Studios at MASS MoCA artists-in-residence. In general, space is limited, and your registration is not guaranteed to be approved.
Please be aware that priority will be given to:
Artists whose practice best matches the focus of the training.
Artists of color. A4A recognizes that the dire impacts of the pandemic have disproportionately affected BIPOC communities, and our 2021-22 programming is especially focused on supporting artists of color.
Artists who meet additional geographic priorities due to partnerships with organizations in a given region. These will be specified with individual workshops.
Learn about Assets for Artists’ accessibility resources
for artists who live with impairments and disabilities.
“Photographing Your Artwork” w/ Mercedes Jelinek
Tuesday, November 9, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
In this workshop artists learn the basics of photographing and documenting their work, whether for marketing, grant proposals, exhibitions, print media, or personal websites. The session will cover camera essentials (whether using a phone camera or professional gear) and techniques for photographing various physical mediums, including 2D, 3D, and installation. In addition, this interactive course will include an introduction to digital workflow and archiving one’s images. Mercedes Jelinek is an artist with 20+ years of professional photography experience. She is based in Brooklyn, NY, and is also on the board of Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, OR.
Best suited for visual artists.
Open to artists across Massachusetts, Connecticut & Rhode Island.
THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED
“Writing for Your Creative Practice” w/ Kristina Marie Darling
Wednesday, November 10 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
This workshop will walk artists through numerous strategies for crafting a compelling artist statement and bio. By offering inside information from her experiences serving on juries and other decision-making panels, Kristina will offer insights with respect to effectively presenting one’s work to decision makers. Questions we will consider include: What can I do to set my work apart from other applicants? How can I craft a bio and statement that complement one another? And, importantly, how can I create multiple versions of my statement and bio that will appeal to different audiences and decision makers within the arts? Because the workshop will utilize a blend of lecture and in-class exercises, where detailed feedback will be provided, artists will leave the class with an improved version of their statement and bio to submit to grants, residencies, and other professional opportunities. Poet, essayist and critic, Kristina Marie Darling is the author of 35 books of poetry and literary criticism and the Editor-in-Chief at Tupelo Press.
Suitable for artists in all disciplines.
Open exclusively to artists in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties, MA.
(Note: spaces are very limited in this workshop as priority will be given to CFWM ValleyCreates Grantees)
THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED
“Crowdfunding for Artist Projects” w/ Laura Christensen
Monday, November 15 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Learn tips and tricks to help crowdfund your art project. In this workshop, Laura will guide participants through the process of preparing and running a successful crowdfunding campaign, from setting funding targets, to identifying potential backers, to sharing your campaign with the world, as well as post-campaign strategies. Using the platform Kickstarter as a case study, participants will take away strategies applicable to running a short-term campaign to fund a particular project on their preferred crowdfunding platform. Laura Christensen is a visual artist who paints on recovered vintage portraits. In 2019 she ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund her project THEN AGAIN, a book anthology that features thirty-one original stories and poems written in response to her artwork.
Suitable for artists in all disciplines.
Priority given to artists who live in Essex County, MA. Open to artists across our 3-state region.
Note: If you do not live in Essex, your registration may not be approved until the week before the workshop, when we’re able to see how many Essex County artists have registered.
THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED
Presented in partnership with the Essex County Community Foundation’s Creative County Initiative
“Rethinking our Relationship with Money as Artists” w/ Szu-Chieh Yun
Thursday, November 18, 2021 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The myth of the starving artist is a hard one to break. In this workshop, artist Szu-Chieh Yun examines our relationship to money, savings, investing, and retirement with an eye toward increasing artists’ financial understanding and freedom. She’ll first cover basic concepts about how money works, how it can work for us, and how to gain confidence in one’s own ability to master financial topics like investing, retirement accounts, stocks, indexes, ETFS and bonds. Although not herself a financial advisor, Szu tackles these topics from the artist point of view, and specifically given her background in a low-income immigrant family. “Growing up no one in my family or around me had a lot of money and could afford to be without work. I grew up in underserved educational systems that did not expect economic mobility among its student body. The subject of money was filled with feelings of stress, anxiety, and dread. I knew there had to be another way.”
Following Szu’s own journey of financial education, participants will leave this workshop armed with an understanding of where and whom to ask the hard financial questions of their own situation, as well as a breadth of resources to further their individualized financial research. Szu-Chieh Yun is a Taiwanese-American artist based in Boston, MA. She explores themes of place and identity in her works that range from photorealism to geometric abstraction.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines.
Open to artists across Massachusetts, Connecticut & Rhode Island.
THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED
“Taxes for Artists” w/ Hannah Cole
Monday, November 29, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join Hannah Cole for her ever-popular tax workshop, with special attention to the challenges artists are facing in the present moment. The founder of Sunlight Tax and an Enrolled Agent with the IRS’s highest certification, in addition to being a long-time working artist, Hannah has a unique vantage point for understanding the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses during this particular time. In this webinar she will discuss the basic tax equation and tax issues specifically relevant to artists, followed by a Q&A period.
Suitable for artists in all disciplines.
BONUS OPPORTUNITY: Artists who attend this workshop may qualify to receive a 90% scholarship to enroll in Hannah Cole’s signature Money Bootcamp later this winter. Money Bootcamp is a year-long program for creators to get their books in order and build financial confidence. You’ll learn basic financial skills and tax savvy so you not only stop spending unnecessary time on the wrong things, but you get organized, set up on a system that works, and get the knowledge you need to feel confident about your finances. It’s a guided, self-motivated path toward fixing your tax and financial life and taking advantage of all the tax shelters, deductions and incentives along the way. Money Bootcamp is run by Sunlight Tax and is not a program of Assets for Artists. Additional details will be discussed in the webinar. Please note: BIPOC and low-income artists will receive priority for this scholarship opportunity.
Open to artists across Massachusetts, Connecticut & Rhode Island.
THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED
“Staying Authentic While Marketing Your work” w/ Daniel Callahan
Monday, January 10, 2022 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
They say 80% of life is showing up. How one shows up determines the rest. Whether it’s an interview, Google search, Pinterest post, TED talk or a conversation over tea, making sure the impression one leaves leads to interest, opportunity, and growth for both you and your audience is crucial. In this workshop, participants will learn some of the strategies and apply practical knowhow to promote themselves and their services with excellence and authenticity in both in-person and online spaces. Participants will leave the workshop with a fuller understanding of themselves and some tried-and-true methods for presenting and pitching their art and their practice. Daniel Callahan is an award winning transmedia artist, designer and filmmaker. In addition to running his own multimedia production company and art practice, he teaches film and video at Emerson College and The Institute of Contemporary Art.
This is an introductory level marketing course best suited for visual and media artists.
Credit: Jonathan Turner
Presented in partnership with GWCF’s Creative Worcester Initiative.
Open exclusively to artists who live in Worcester County, MA. Priority given to artists who live in the City of Worcester. Note: If you do not live in the City of Worcester, your registration may not be approved until 2 weeks before the workshop, when we’re able to see how many City of Worcester artists have registered.
THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED.
“The Basics of Building a Grant” w/ Yara Liceaga Rojas
Tuesdays, January 11, 18, & 25, 2022 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Grants and other written proposals can feel daunting without a plan. In part one of this series, participants will learn about developing an appropriate project for the appropriate funder and where and how to search for opportunities. In part two, Yara will cover the basic building blocks that make up a proposal, including how to get organized, what the review process looks like from the inside, and how to persevere through rejection. The last workshop of the series focuses on a project’s monetary and non-monetary needs and how to build a corresponding proposal budget. Participants will discuss how to set artist fees, as well as the barriers – financial trauma, the devaluing of the arts, and systemic inequities – that come into play when we build our own project budgets. Participants will leave empowered to fight for their worth and prepared to take advantage of creative opportunities. This is an introductory level workshop.
Based between Boston and Puerto Rico, Yara Liceaga Rojas is a writer, performer, and independent grant-writer who works in both English and Spanish. A4A’s fundraising & marketing manager, Molly Rideout, will be a guest speaker for this workshop, bringing her experience as both a professional grant-writer and practicing artist.
Credit: OJ Slaughter
Presented in partnership with GWCF’s Creative Worcester Initiative.
Suitable for artists in all disciplines.
Open exclusively to artists who live in Worcester County, MA. Priority given to artists who live in the City of Worcester. Note: If you do not live in the City of Worcester, your registration may not be approved until 2 weeks before the workshop, when we’re able to see how many City of Worcester artists have registered.
This is a THREE-part series. Participants may register for one, two, or all sessions.
Select workshop participants will have the opportunity to receive free 1:1 coaching with Yara. Details will be provided after the workshop.
Part I: Project Development & Where to Find Grants - THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED.
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Part II: Getting Your Materials Ready & Writing - THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED.
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Part III: Building a Project Budget & Addressing Financial Trauma - Register via Zoom.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
“Rethinking our Relationship with Money as Artists” w/ Szu-Chieh Yun
Thursday, January 13, 2022 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The myth of the starving artist is a hard one to break. In this workshop, artist Szu-Chieh Yun examines our relationship to money, savings, investing, and retirement with an eye toward increasing artists’ financial understanding and freedom. She’ll first cover basic concepts about how money works, how it can work for us, and how to gain confidence in one’s own ability to master financial topics like investing, retirement accounts, stocks, indexes, ETFS and bonds. Although not herself a financial advisor, Szu tackles these topics from the artist point of view, and specifically given her background in a low-income immigrant family. “Growing up no one in my family or around me had a lot of money and could afford to be without work. I grew up in underserved educational systems that did not expect economic mobility among its student body. The subject of money was filled with feelings of stress, anxiety, and dread. I knew there had to be another way.”
Following Szu’s own journey of financial education, participants will leave this workshop armed with an understanding of where and whom to ask the hard financial questions of their own situation, as well as a breadth of resources to further their individualized financial research. Szu-Chieh Yun is a Taiwanese-American artist based in Boston, MA. She explores themes of place and identity in her works that range from photorealism to geometric abstraction.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines.
Open exclusively to artists in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties, MA.
(Note: spaces are very limited in this workshop as priority will be given to CFWM ValleyCreates Grantees)
THIS WORKSHOP HAS PASSED.
Credit: Cat Laine, Painted Foot Studio
“Business Strategies for Artists” w/ Shey Rivera Ríos
Wednesdays, January 19 & 26, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(NOTE: This is a TWO-part workshops experience. You are expected to attend both days.)
Artists often run their own creative business. And as the world changes, artists continue building alternative structures to sustain themselves. Let's talk about this and share experiences. This two-part workshop will present strategies for developing a more sustainable art practice and will also take a look at what opportunities exist for artists in today's economy. During the first session, we will share practice, compare experiences, and explore the possibilities together. The second session will be focused on turning the ideas from part one into strategies for gaining new income streams, sustaining your practice, and leveraging resources. Participants will be encouraged to share a practice or project they wish to workshop during the session. Shey Rivera Rios is an interdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist, and arts administrator whose artistic creations span a myriad of topics, from home to capitalism to queerness & magic.
Select workshop participants will have the opportunity to receive free 1:1 coaching with Shey. Details will be provided after the workshop.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines.
Open to artists across Massachusetts, Connecticut & Rhode Island.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL.
“Fostering Relationships w/ Galleries and Museums” w/ Kristen Becker, Founder: KB Art Strategies
Tuesdays, February 1 & 8, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(NOTE: This is a TWO-part workshops experience. You are expected to attend both days.)
Gallery and museum relationships are in the midst of a big shift. Access to certain gallery and institutional opportunities seem at once more open and more siloed. In this workshop artists will learn how to seek out and build relationships with gallerists and curators, as well as best practices for communications and the expectations and etiquette of moving through curatorial consideration. Kristen Becker is the Founder of KB Art Strategies, a consultancy providing concrete support to a global network of artists, galleries, non-profits, and arts organizations looking to expand the visibility of their projects and connect with their community.
This is a two-part workshop with sessions a week apart. Each session will be a lecture format with 30 minutes for Q&A at the end.
Part 1 (February 1): Relationship Cultivation: Begins with a discussion of gallerists and curators, what these individuals are like and what opportunities exist through these connections. In this session, participants will receive an overview on how these relationships tend to work, how to set realistic expectations, and how to prepare for studio visits.
Part 2 (February 8): Communication Strategies: Discusses how to write to gallerists and curators. This session will include an in-depth discussion of email outreach, organizing your website with curators and gallerists in mind, and digital marketing materials such as newsletter and social media.
Select workshop participants will have the opportunity to receive free 1:1 coaching with Kristen. Details will be provided after the workshop.
Best suited for visual artists seeking representation or exhibitions.
Open to artists across Massachusetts, Connecticut & Rhode Island.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL.
“Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty” w/ Laura Baring-Gould
Thursdays, February 3 & 10, 2022 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM
(This is a TWO-part workshops experience. You are expected to attend both days.)
Over two sessions, artists will develop the building blocks for a strategic plan for their creative career. This highly interactive course will help artists examine their goals and values, inventory their skills, and practice budgeting with an eye to maximizing opportunity and stability in the midst of crisis. Laura Baring-Gould's practice includes award-winning installations, public artworks and small bronzes sold in galleries, juried shows and through private commissions.
Suitable for artists in all disciplines.
Open exclusively to artists who live in Worcester County, MA. Priority given to artists who live in the City of Worcester. Note: If you do not live in the City of Worcester, your registration may not be approved until 2 weeks before the workshop, when we’re able to see how many City of Worcester artists have registered.
Select workshop participants will have the opportunity to receive free 1:1 coaching with Laura. Details will be provided after the workshop.
Presented in partnership with GWCF’s Creative Worcester Initiative.
“Taxes for Artists” w/ Amy Smith
Wednesday, February 16 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
For decades, Amy Smith has prepared taxes for artists, taught financial well-being workshops, and coached artists one on one. This workshop will cover the basics of taxes for artists, including separating personal and artistic finances, Schedule C filing, self-employment versus employment, and tracking deductions — with a particular eye toward artists’ current financial challenges and the ways in which the CARES Act and other considerations will change taxes this year. Amy Smith is an educator, professional tax preparer and the former Co-Director of Headlong Dance Theater, a Bessie-award winning Philadelphia-based dance theater company.
Suitable for artists of all disciplines.
Open exclusively to artists who live in Worcester County, MA. Priority given to artists who live in the City of Worcester. Note: If you do not live in the City of Worcester, your registration may not be approved until 2 weeks before the workshop, when we’re able to see how many City of Worcester artists have registered.
Presented in partnership with GWCF’s Creative Worcester Initiative.
Our Massachusetts programming is made possible in partnership with the Barr Foundation, the City of Boston, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ ValleyCreates Initiative, Essex County Community Foundation’s Creative County Initiative, Greater Worcester Community Foundation’s Creative Worcester Initiative, the Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund (Bank of America, N.A.,Trustee), and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. Our Rhode Island programming is made possible in partnership with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts thanks to funding from a US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Development Grant. Our Connecticut programming is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA), Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, and the Cultural Coalition Serving Southeast and Northeastern CT.