Greenville, SC – Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) is launching a new series of FREE professional development workshops called “The Business Toolkit for Artists.” The six-part series will give visual artists insight into the resources and skills needed for career growth in the fine art industry. The program is funded in part by the Metropolitan Arts Council, which receives support from the City of Greenville, BMW Manufacturing Company, Michelin North America, Inc., SEW Eurodrive and the South Carolina Arts Commission.

Topics range from foundational basics for every artist like writing an artist statement, to more advanced business tools like taxes and money management for creative entrepreneurs. Led by recognized industry professionals, these workshops will help artists transition their unique craft into a sustainable business model.

“We are thrilled to have the support from MAC to launch this series,” says Kim Fabian, GCCA’s Executive Director. “Professional development opportunities like these are critical to build skills and career mobility in the artist community. Being able to offer this curriculum for free allows people who may not have the financial resources for continuing education to benefit from this valuable content.”

 The line-up of workshops includes:

• Applying to Juried Shows: A How-To Guide and Portfolio Review with Robin Aiken, Artisphere Visual Artist Manager, on Saturday, October 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• (Virtual) Taxes for Artists, Freelancers and Creative Businesses (Virtual) with Hannah Cole, Enrolled Agent and Founder of Sunlight Tax, and Tax & Money Columnist for the Art Blog Hyperallergic, on Saturday, November 20, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Social Media 101 for Artists with Will Henderson, Associate Director of the Clemson Social Media Listening Center, on Friday, October 15, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Making Post Art School: Methods for Finding Grants, Exhibitions & Residencies with Jonell Logan, Creative Director, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, former Executive Director of The League of Creative Interventionists, & Founder of 300 Arts Project, on Saturday, October 30, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Telling Your Story: Tackling Artist Statements and Grant Narratives with Jennifer Oladipo, Marketing Strategist, Arts Advocate & Publisher of The Chord, on Wednesday, October 20, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Directing Your Personal Money for Creative Business Success (Virtual) with Edris Tucker, AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor, CommunityWorks and former NFCC Certified Credit Counselor & Financial Educator, on Thursday, November 4, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

These workshops are free and open to any artist in the Upstate community. Artists can attend them all or pick and choose. Workshops fill on a first-come, first-served basis and are held in-person at GCCA unless listed as “virtual” in the title. Registration is required for all workshops by visiting www.artcentergreenville.org/classes and scrolling down to Professional Development.

About GCCA

Greenville Center for Creative Arts is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the cultural fabric of the community through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration. For more information, visit www.artcentergreenville.org, call 864-735-3948, or check out GCCA on Facebook (Greenville Center for Creative Arts) & Instagram (@artcentergvl).