Our Services

“Which way should we go?” a training and information workshop for creative entrepreneurs and arts groups on finding and sustaining the right arts business model

Next session: Wednesday, May 5, 10 am - 1 pm, Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls. For more information and to register, contact Arts Wisconsin, 608 255 8316 | akatz@artswisconsin.org.

Creative entrepreneurialism is a growing movement in Wisconsin. There’s a lot of excitement about setting out on a creative venture. One of the first questions entrepreneurs and groups should ask is, what kind of business model is right for what the work we want to do? Incubators – cooperatives – for-profits - nonprofits – there are a lot of ways to go and you need to know some basics about each model in order to make an informed decision. And then, once you choose a direction, how do you keep your organization or business growing and thriving?

Arts Wisconsin and USDA Rural Development are the statewide organizations presenting the workshop. The target audience is Wisconsin artists, creative entrepreneurs, and organization representatives who want to know more about the different kinds of for-profit and non-profit business models available to help create and sustain whatever model is the right fit for their work.

Whether you are already involved with an organization or business, or you’re thinking about starting one, this session will offer invaluable information, ideas and contacts. This interactive, participatory workshop will offer training and education in the details of and resources for arts-related business models, and connections with other people involved in the same kind of work.

Cost to participants: $20/person, includes presentation, educational materials and refreshments.

How to register: Call or email Arts Wisconsin, 608 255 8316 / akatz@artswisconsin.org to reserve your place at this exciting and informative session.

The workshop is made possible with generous support from the Wisconsin Arts Board and Xcel Energy Foundation.

Presenters:

Margaret Bau is a cooperative development specialist with USDA Rural Development, based in Stevens Point, WI. Nationally recognized as an expert in cooperative development, she has been a research fellow with the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica from 1988 to 1992.
Sypros Heniadis is an artist and creative entrepreneur based in Biron, Wisconsin. He is a founder of the new Q Artists Gallery in Stevens Point and is a board member of Arts Wisconsin.
Anne Katz is Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin, the state’s arts service, advocacy and development organization. She is nationally recognized as a community cultural development specialist and has provided training, technical assistance and education to thousands of Wisconsin and national arts groups and creative entrepreneurs on business models, business plans, fundraising, sustainability and capacity-building issues.

Please note: We're looking for local arts, business or other organizations around the state to host workshops in their communities. If the local host is a member of Arts Wisconsin, then the only cost to the local host is for mileage. If the local host org is not a member, the cost is $100, plus mileage. For more information and to schedule a workshop: Contact Anne Katz at 608 255 8316 | akatz@artswisconsin.org.