Apply Now | NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program in New York’s Mid-Hudson Region

Artists living and working in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster counties are encouraged to apply to participate in this free entrepreneurial program to be presented by Arts Mid-Hudson in November 2021.

Applications are now open for the NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program, a professional development program that will take place in person* in the Mid-Hudson region of New York in November 2021. It will be presented free of charge to selected participants by New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts’ State & Local Partnerships program and Arts Mid-Hudson as part of a series of ongoing professional development programs for the arts communities in New York State.

The NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program is an intensive, multi-day in-person professional development opportunity that delves into the fundamental principles of sustainability in the arts. Content will be customized in light of the current challenges artists are facing everywhere. The program will also specifically target issues for artists located in the Mid-Hudson region, and will be presented with this perspective in mind.

The program benefits artists of all disciplines and stages of their career, who are looking to identify new ways of thinking and approaching their arts practice while seeking a community of like-minded peer artists. 

Featured topics will include strategic planning, finance, law, marketing, and fundraising, with additional material drawn from NYFA’s popular textbook, The Profitable Artist (Allworth Press, 2018). The structure is a blend of workshops, discussions, and breakout groups. Participants will work through flexible and dynamic tools that will help to provide a blueprint for their practice and/or specific projects.

There is no charge to participate in the NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program. Artists of all disciplines (Visual, Multidisciplinary, Performing, Literary, Interdisciplinary, Social Practice, Folk and Traditional, Film, Video, and New Media) and career stages, including college students, are encouraged to apply. Those interested in attending are required to apply; participants will be selected through a panel review process.

*We are planning for an in-person program, implemented in accordance with local and state health guidelines. The program will be moved online, if necessary.

NYFA will be accepting applications from now through Monday, September 27, 11:59 PM EDT.

Program Dates:

Thursday, November 4, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM EDT:
Overview of Artist As Entrepreneur and Participant Introductions

Intensive: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 5, 6, 7, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT Daily
3-day intensive includes:

1. Workshops and panels on strategic planning, marketing, finance, art law, and fundraising.
2. A work sample review based on each artist’s application submission to the program.
3. Individual presentations of action plans in small groups to close the program.

Location: Cornell Creative Arts Center, 129 Cornell Street, Kingston, NY 12401

Attendance is mandatory to all sessions. Please check your calendar before applying. The dates listed above are planned for an in-person program, implemented in accordance with local and state health guidelines. The program will be moved online, if necessary.

How to Apply:

Apply via Submittable by Monday, September 27, 11:59 PM EDT.
First-time users will need to register with Submittable to access the application portal.

Eligibility:

• Open to artists in all disciplines and career stages, including students.
• Open to artists living and working in New York State, with priority given to those in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, and other counties from the Mid-Hudson Region.

Guidelines:

For the application we ask you provide:

• Your long term goals and why you are interested in applying to this program. 
• A narrative bio of your professional career.
• A link to your website or online presence.
• Work samples with work statement and description.

Notification: On or before October 8, 2021

Questions regarding the application process: Contact NYFA and include “Arts Mid-Hudson” in the subject line.

To request an accommodation or assistance in applying, please email [email protected] or contact 212-366-6900 Ext 242. We ask that requests for accommodation be made as soon as possible or by Monday, September 6 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.

Questions regarding local knowledge: Contact Arts Mid-Hudson at [email protected].

Testimonials:

I want to thank NYFA for accepting me into the Artist as Entrepreneur Program. When I received the acceptance letter, I was overjoyed and excited about learning as much as I could about running a business as an artist. The program exceeded my expectations and helped me identify the areas I need to work on to sustain my business as a Playwright and Music Producer. I know I have a lot of work to do to make my dreams and goals a reality, but I left the program feeling charged, empowered, and ready to continue growing and putting my plans into action. THANK YOU for making a positive impact on my life and encouraging me to keep my creative light on!

Gloria Harrison-Hall, Performing Arts, 2019 NYSCA/NYFA Artist As Entrepreneur Program presented by Saratoga Arts

It is an incredible opportunity for an artist to have dedicated time set aside to learn, share, contemplate, and envision a profitable future at the Artist as Entrepreneur Program. The best part of the program is to also have a network of experts, resources, and a welcoming ecosystem surrounded by inspiring fellow creatives to take with you when done. Highly recommended!

Huey-Min Chuang, Cross-Disciplinary, 2019 NYSCA/NYFA Artist As Entrepreneur Program presented by Saratoga Arts

This program is made possible through New York State Council on the Arts, State & Local Partnerships with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

This program is part of NYFA Learning, which includes professional development for artists and arts administrators. Sign up for NYFA’s free bi-weekly newsletter to receive updates on future programs.