Business Seminars

Taught by Susan Joy Sager

Would you like to attend a three hour workshop to get specific information to help you run your business more successfully?

Are you a member of an art or craft organization that is looking for an workshop for your group?

Susan Joy Sager offers half day topic specific workshops designed for the unique needs of artists and craftspeople at different locations throughout New England. 

See the schedule below for current workshop offerings followed by course descriptions to help you choose the right workshop for you. 

Schedule of Current Seminars:

No workshops are scheduled at this time.

-------------------------------------------
Schedule is subject to change.

To register, call the host institution.  For course descriptions, read below.

Workshops can also be designed for specific needs.

Teaching references are available upon request.
-----------------------------------------------

Testimonials:
What people are saying about ArtBiz

Everyone was full of enthusiasm for the day - just what they had each hoped for...
Casey Grant,
artlinc

I highly recommend you to consider a workshop by Susan Joy Sager. She knows both the creative side and the professional side of getting work from the studio to the viewer. We found her insights most helpful and I can assure you of an extremely productive experience.
Rose Morasco, Chair,
University of Southern Maine, Dept. of Art

I have known Susan for almost 15 years and have been impressed by her abilities from the beginning. As an arts professional she has grown tremendously since then, working in a number of arts organizations. Her experience there and in her own business gives her excellent credentials for teaching artists about business. I am very impressed with the materials she has put together.
Patricia Doran, Dean,
Graduate & Continuing Education, Massachusetts College of Art

Course Descriptions:

1. Setting Up Your Art or Craft Business: Business Planning and Finances

This workshop will give the aspiring artist or craftsperson the necessary information to start a business including: self assessment, picking a business name and defining the type of business, a cost based method to price art or craft work, as well as suggestions on how to organize the office side of the business. Each participant will leave the workshop with a draft of their business plan. Bring a representative piece of art or craft work, writing materials, and a calculator (if you have one). Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

2. Selling Your Art or Craft: Marketing Plans and Potential Markets

This workshop will give the aspiring artist or craftsperson the necessary information to sell art or craft work by self assessment, designing marketing plans and promotional materials, looking at craft fairs, galleries, and the internet as potential markets. Each participant will leave the workshop with a draft of their marketing plan. Bring a representational piece of art or craft work and writing materials. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

3. Commission Work: Working with Interior Designers and Architects

This workshop will explore the market of commission work including self designed projects, Percent for Art competitions, as well as working with interior designers and architects. Each participant will leave the workshop with a draft proposal (including a budget) for a project idea or commission. Bring a representational piece of art or craft work and writing materials. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

4. The Art of Selling Your Work

Do you want to sell your work? Who is your potential customer? What skills and materials do you need to approach galleries, apply to a craft show or sell your work to a shop? This workshop will be a valuable resource for all creative people who are interested in marketing their art or craft products whether on a full or part time basis. Students will define the type of work they create and who their potential customer is based on writing exercises and class discussion. How to prepare a portfolio, the pros and cons of retail and wholesale markets, sales and presentation skills as well as appropriate pricing will be covered in this workshop. Students are encouraged to bring samples of work to share. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

5. Artist's Survival Skills: How To Support Yourself With Your Work

This seminar will be a valuable resource for artists and craftspeople who are interested in supporting themselves with their work whether on a full or part-time basis. Supporting yourself can include: preparing for a commission, applying to a fair, obtaining a gallery show, or securing an internship or residency. Publicity skills will be reviewed including: writing a press release and putting together a press kit, writing an artists statement and tips on presenting your project in person. Students will do a short presentation of their work to the class as well as learn basic pricing formulas. Students are encouraged to bring samples of work to share. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

6. Craft Fairs and Sidewalk Art Shows: Are They For You?

Do your potential customers shop at craft fairs or sidewalk art shows? How do you decide which fairs or shows to do? What do you need to set up a display and sell your work? This seminar will cover the basics in helping participants determine if fairs or shows are an appropriate market for their work, which fairs to do, and how to set up an effective booth to attract customers as well as how to make sales efficiently. Bring a representative piece of work to share as well as a list of fairs or shows you are considering. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

7. Designing A Safe and Efficient Studio

Are you sure the materials you are working with in your studio are safe to use and how to properly use them? What is adequate ventilation and when should you wear a respirator? What can you safely pour down your sink or should you take to the local dump? This workshop will answer questions and concerns about both designing an efficient work space to conduct both your studio and office work as well as provide valuable information about safety issues in the studio. This course is ideal for both beginners who are in the process of setting up a studio as well as those people who know they need to take some time out to review safety procedures in their studio now.

8. How To Approach A Gallery: Skills for Success

This workshop will be a valuable resource for artists and craftspeople who are interested in exhibiting their work in a gallery setting. Learning how to present not only your work but yourself to gallery owners, collectors and buyers in a professional manner will be the focus of this workshop. Presentation skills will include your portfolio, supplementary written materials, publicity, and practicing presenting yourself in person. Students will finish this workshop with the basic skills and confidence to approach gallery owners about exhibiting their work. Students are encouraged to bring samples of work to share. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

9. Master of Fine Arts Programs:How To Find The Right Graduate Program For You

Are you considering getting a MFA degree? Do you know what the basic requirements are for applying and how applications are reviewed? Which program is the best for you? This seminar will review the reasons to get an MFA, material necessary to apply to graduate school, and degree requirements, taking into consideration the individual needs of the participants. Students are encouraged to bring samples of work to share.

10. On Becoming An Artist

Remember all the people who told you that you could never make a living as an artist? That you were dreaming if you thought you could actually sell your work and live off the proceeds? How do you decide if you should be trying to sell your work or just enjoy making it for yourself? This workshop will profile several artist's careers and how they were able to make their dreams a reality as well as help students to gain an accurate picture of their own particular situation and choices through self assessment exercises. Come prepared to dream, examine the reality of your own lifestyle, and leave with a plan to can make it happen for you. Bring a piece of your work to share with the group. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

11. Planning for Artists and Craftspeople:Business and Marketing Plans

Are you thinking of turning an art or craft hobby into a business? Have you just graduated from art school and have no idea how to make your living as an artist or craftsperson? Or have you been running a professional studio business for some time but need to rethink your direction because of a recent change in the market? This workshop will help participants to plan by reviewing the basics necessary to run a small art or craft business, how to set and review goals, design a budget, write a business and marketing plan, and learn to react positively to changes in the marketplace. Students should bring a representative piece of work and writing materials. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

12. Pricing Your Work

Are you pricing your work for the long term survival of your business or to sell it for some quick cash now? Do you base your prices solely on what other people are getting for similar work or what you know your work costs to produce plus a profit? This workshop is designed to help artists and craftspeople determine who their customers are, what their costs are to produce their work and what they need to earn to survive and prosper as an artist or craftsperson. This workshop will be helpful to those who want to sell their work once in awhile as well as those who are serious about trying to make their living as a full-time artist or craftsperson. Bring a representative piece of your work to share, a list of your studio expenses, and a calculator (if you have one). Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

13. Self Promotion for Artists and Craftspeople

Do you know who your potential customers are and where they like to shop? Do you have a brochure to hand out to prospective customers? What should you say to someone who seems interested in buying your work? Are you too busy to develop a marketing plan? If these statements sound familiar you aren't alone! This workshop will provide ways to market and promote your work that you can choose from to fit your comfort level and personality. Figuring out who your customers are, designing a brochure about you and your work, practicing sales techniques, and putting together a simple marketing plan will be covered in this workshop. Bring a representative sample of your work and any sample brochures you like. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

14. Supporting Yourself As An Artist: Funding Sources

This workshop will explore the market of commission work including self designed projects, Percent for Art competitions, as well as working with interior designers and architects. Each participant will learn how to write a draft proposal (including a budget) for a project idea or commission. Identifying sources of support, writing proposals, designing a budget, and requesting funding will be covered in this seminar. Bring project ideas, writing materials, and a calculator if you have one as well as a representational piece of art or craft work. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

15. Your Portfolio: What You Need and When To Use It

Do you know what should be included in a portfolio? What other materials in addition to your art or craft work should be included in a portfolio? What format is best? When do you show someone original work versus slides or photographs? This workshop will focus on portfolio basics taking into account the individual needs of the participants. Students will discuss how to determine what should be included in a portfolio for different opportunities such as applying to a juried show, an appointment with a gallery owner, to send in with a grant application or to be included in a slide registry. Bring your portfolio for review and feedback or samples of your work if you do not have a portfolio yet. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.

16. Selling Your Art or Craft on the Internet

Are you interested in marketing your work through the internet? Have you been thinking of putting together a web page but aren't sure what to do? How can email be included in your marketing efforts? This workshop will cover the basics for artists and craftspeople who want to market and sell their work on the internet. Bring a representative piece of work to share as well as copies of any web pages you like. Suggested textbook, Selling Your Crafts, will be available for purchase.


Listing of Previous ArtBiz Seminars:

ANDROSCOGGIN ARTISTS

Lewiston, ME

ARTFELLOWS COOP GALLERY

Belfast, ME

ARTLINC

Damariscotta, ME

BROOKFIELD CRAFT CENTER

Brookfield, CT

CENTER FOR DESIGN AND BUSINESS: HERA GALLERY Wakefield, RI

CENTER FOR DESIGN AND BUSINESS: AS220 Providence, RI

FROG HOLLOW

Burlington, VT

FARNSWORTH ART MUSEUM

Rockland, ME

KENNEBEC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION Hallowell, ME

KITTERY ADULT EDUCATION

Kittery, ME

LEAGUE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CRAFTSMEN

Exeter, NH

LEAGUE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CRAFTSMEN

Concord, NH

MAINE COLLEGE OF ART

Portland, ME

MAINE CRAFTS ASSOCIATION

Portland, ME

MAINE FABRIC AND FIBER FESTIVAL Portland, ME

MONTSERRAT COLLEGE OF ART

Beverly, MA

MSAD #44

Bethel, ME

NEW HAMPSHIRE ART INSTITUTE Manchester, NH

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (SCAD)

Savannah, GA

SHARON ARTS CENTER

Sharon, NH

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

Augusta, ME

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

Orono, ME

UMAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Belfast. ME

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE

Gorham, ME

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE Portland, ME

UPCOUNTRY ARTISTS

Farmington, ME

WOMENS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Augusta, ME

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN CENTER

Exeter, NH

WORCESTER CRAFT CENTER

Worcester, MA