Artist Development

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The Business of the Arts (BOA) program gives local artists an opportunity to build their capacity to compete and thrive. With the right resources, they can flourish as entrepreneurs as well as artists, and create a sustainable living from their artistic practice.

Please email us at programs@artscouncilwb.ca with any ideas for workshops you would like to see.

Creative Connections (C²) focuses on artistic practice, creative work and networking — by artists, for artists.

C² exists to help artists develop skills relevant to their discipline, feel more confident in their artistic practice and creative work, and connect with each other and leaders in their disciplines. ACWB will develop meaningful partnerships with local and visiting artists and arts organizations to present the program.

Calling all artists and art groups! Do you have an idea for a workshop, master class or event? ACWB wants to help you make it happen! We could provide a variety of resources to assist you in bringing your concept to life. Learn more about how ACWB can help with your arts initiative through our Creative Connections Process.

After completing the Post Wildfire Recovery in the Arts Strategic Plan (conducted by the Arts Recovery Working Group), ACWB gained funding from the Canadian Red Cross to manage a two-year arts recovery project. The goal of the project is to create opportunities for artists to collaborate and heal through their art, ultimately supporting recovery and resiliency in our community.

Learn more about the Art Recovery Project and Arts Recovery Working Group.

The ACWB Artist in Residency program follows the traditional residency model, in which non-local or local professional artists spend time creating work inspired by the environment, culture and people of Wood Buffalo. These Residency artists will engage with the community in a variety of ways, showcase their work through a final event and, most importantly, spend time mentoring a selected group of emerging, established and professional artists from this area. The program will be open to artists in any discipline.

There are so many benefits with this type of program, including bringing new perspectives, techniques and networking opportunities to our arts community, and giving non-local artists a new lens on the Wood Buffalo region.

In past years, the Municipally operated Residency program focused on master classes and mentorship. This type of artistic development is available through Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s Creative Connections program stream.

If you have questions or would like more information about our Artist in Residency program, please contact us at programs@artscouncilwb.ca.

Arts Recovery Project

Getting to Sold

Taking Artisans Step by Step Through the Process of Getting their Craft from a Hobby to Market

For two weeks in August 2020, ACWB will be hosting a series of four online workshops designed for crafters, artisans and new artists looking to get their products to market.

Led by Arts Recovery Project Coordinator, Sharon Heading with the support of experienced local artisans, they’ll deliver information that they have used in setting up their successful businesses. You’ll be taken step by step through the process of getting your craft from a hobby to market.

Register through Eventbrite today.

This project has been funded by the Canadian Red Cross as part of the Arts Recovery Project.

Event Details

Dates: (This is a series of four online workshops.)

Tuesday, August 11
Thursday, August 13
Tuesday, August 18
Thursday, August 20

Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Location: Zoom classroom.

(Registrants for the workshops will be sent a Zoom link and specific details as the workshop dates approach.)

Fees

ACWB Members – FREE. A promo code has been sent to members in their monthly e-newsletter. If you are a member and have not received a code or can’t find it, please contact us at hanna@artscouncilwb.ca.
Non-Members – Pay $20 for the workshops and get a free one-year individual membership. Not only will you have access to the four Getting to Sold workshops, ACWB membership also allows you access to the soon-to-be-released online Marketplace and much more. Learn more about the benefits of becoming an ACWB member.

Register through Eventbrite. Register today and take your first step in becoming the artisan/entrepreneur that you’ve been dreaming of.

Donations are Welcome:

Donations of $20 and above will go towards the free Membership Bank to help make memberships barrier-free, so anyone in the region can have access to the benefits of ACWB membership and be a part of the unified voice for the arts in Wood Buffalo. Donations of $50 and above are eligible for a tax receipt.

Additional Details

As part of the Arts Recovery Project, we have been listening to the arts community. Many local artisans would like to know how to get their products to market, make sales, and have their own legitimate businesses.

In the current economic situation, keeping art alive is vital. Community markets, virtual markets or websites are just a few of the opportunities to sell your product. Get the answers to important questions to make your business more competitive in the artisan marketplace.

As part of this online workshop series, these are some of the questions we’ll be discussing:

How do you find your place?
Do you need a business license and insurance?
How do you package your product?
Where can you sell your products: online, in markets, at stores?

Marketplace – Coming Soon

Stay tuned, artisan/entrepreneurs! After the series of Getting to Sold workshops in August, we will show you how to set up your own profile on the Marketplace, an online sales/shopping platform to be hosted on the ACWB website.

You’ll be able to sell your products, track sales, enhance your brand, build your following, and develop your dream of getting your art on the market.

Getting to Sold Manual – Coming Soon

ACWB is working with a local artist to create a learning manual for tactile or visual learners and for use in communities where training technology or traditional workshop delivery may not be available.

The manual will support Getting to Sold workshops, so they can be delivered to an audience of a wide variety of ages and learning styles. The manual will be available in both digital format and printed formats, and shareable through online platforms.

Register through Eventbrite today.

Questions and More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Sharon Heading, Arts Recovery Project Coordinator, at sharon@artscouncilwb.ca, or 780-381-6898.

Arts Match 2.0

January 30, 2020

Amazing things happen when the arts get together!

Since the 2019 Arts Match was such a success, we thought we’d bring it back! Don’t be fooled by the name, Arts Match is not just for singles. It’s a networking event for all artists, artisans and arts enthusiasts in Wood Buffalo to meet like minded people, learn about different arts based organizations, arts opportunities, venues and how to get involved! ACWB invites all artists and artisans in Wood Buffalo to our FREE Arts Match 2.0 event on January 30, 5:30 – 8:30 PM in the Keyano Gallery / Theatre Lobby.

Are you an actor, singer, dancer, musician looking for opportunities to perform? Visual artist looking for an opportunity to show and or sell your work? Would you like to volunteer in the arts, find a mentor, or you don’t know what you want except you want to be part of the arts in Wood Buffalo?

Let’s find your magic connection at the ACWB Arts Match!

Claim your FREE ticket on Eventbrite at acwb-artsmatch2020.eventbrite.ca

What should Artists expect?

This fun and engaging event is based on the speed networking model where individuals have 2 minutes to talk directly to organizations/groups at each booth about that orgs/groups’ projects and programs, and how the individual can get involved. Depending on your arrival time, you will be assigned a “round”. The rounds last roughly 30 minutes, with additional opportunities to network with other artists outside of your round.

Looking to host a Booth?

Are you an organization in Wood Buffalo looking to work with artists? Are you an individual or group working on a project and need artist participants? Are you a photographer, filmmaker, visual artist or producer looking for models, actors, or performers? Do you simply have an idea you want to share with creative people who can help you move the idea to fruition? Sign up to have a booth at the January 2020 Arts Match! Contact Sharon Heading, sharon@artscouncilwb.ca to claim your spot.

Arts Match

Amazing things happen when the arts get together!

ACWB invites all artists and artisans in Wood Buffalo who would like to connect with other artists to our FREE Arts Match on August 6, 5:30 PM – 9 PM in the Keyano Recital Theatre Lobby, with a complimentary BBQ in the adjacent courtyard!

Are you working on a project and need participants? Are you an actor, singer, dancer, musician looking for opportunities to perform? Visual artist looking for an opportunity to show and or sell your work? Would you like to volunteer in the arts, find a mentor, or perhaps you are a filmmaker looking for actors? Do you simply have an idea you want to talk about?

Let’s find your magic connection at the ACWB Arts Match!

What should you expect?

This fun and engaging event is based on the speed dating model: local arts groups and individuals who have information to share, are looking for volunteers, or would like to get information about their project out to the arts community will have 2 minutes to make their pitch one-on-one with interested individuals.

For individuals, this is an opportunity to talk directly to arts groups about how you might get involved with them, and ask about their projects and programs.

We Heal, an Art Exhibition

YMCA Wood Buffalo and Arts Council Wood Buffalo Arts Recovery Project presented We Heal, an Art Exhibition! on May 2 from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Keyano Art Gallery, to enjoy the art that healed our community members from the 2016 Horse River Wildfire.

We Heal, an Art Exhibition was a community show juried by professional peers highlighting journeys of healing since the 2016 Horse River Wildfire.

Art in Anzac

Join ACWB for an afternoon of painting, tea, and bannock! Artists Treasure Cooper and Barbara Madden will guide youth and adults through this fun painting project.

Saturday, February 16, 2019
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
At the Anzac Sport and Recreation Centre

Registration is required and by donation. Funds will go towards arts supplies for local children’s programming.
Call Anzac Recreation Centre Guest Services at (780) 793-6000 to register.

Youth 8-12 years old
Adult 13+ years old

Highlights from past events

What our Artists have to say

Take classes and workshops, as many as you can – learning from others in either the craft of your art or the business side of it keeps you from operating in the dark. Grab every chance to learn that you can.

Julie Rowe Literary Artist & Author