Business resources and assistance are crucial to launching a new business. But these resources can be costly and add up quickly. Below are a few places other artists can take free or almost free workshops and classes around the Twin Cities community.
Metropolitan Regional Arts Center
The Metropolitan Regional Arts Center (MRAC) is one of 11 regional arts councils in Minnesota. They are a resource for organizations with training, grants and other informational support. MRAC offers arts management training workshops. All that is required is previous registration. The presenters are highly qualified and informed workshop professionals who provide great resources, advice, tips, resources and information.
Springboard for the Arts: Work of Art Series
Springboard for the Arts has a workshop series called Work of Art. In the past, these workshops cost $45, however, due to a funding opportunity these workshops are available free. Registration must be completed online. Classes fill up quickly but there is a waiting list. Artists who also show up to the workshop are allowed to attend without prior registration if the classroom is not too full.
These workshops have a variety of topics including career planning, time management, marketing, promotions, legal considerations, recordkeeping and finances, business planning, pricing your work, funding, and social media.
You can also download the curriculum for free from the Springboard website.
Positively Minnesota: MN Workforce Center
The Minnesota Workforce centers have a variety of workshops that help people with job transitions. In addition to job-related workshops, there are classes on managing change, using Linked In, updating Word, Excel, and Access skills, starting your own business, identifying skills, networking, and more. These classes are free and only require prior registration online. The only downside to these workshops is they are during the weekday.
Twin Cities Artist Way Meet Up
The Twin Cities Artist Way Meet Up is a great way to get together with other local artists who enjoy reading and working through the Artist Way by Julia Cameron. This Meet Up meets once per month. The evening can vary, but usually meets on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Each Meet Up has a different discussion topic. All attendees get a chance to introduce themselves and participate in the discussion.
