Apply Now | NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program in Central and Southern Tier New York

Artists living and working in Broome, Chenango, Otsego, and other counties in the Central and Southern Tier regions are encouraged to apply to participate in this free entrepreneurial program to be presented by Earlville Opera House and Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts, Inc. in October 2021.

Applications are now open for the NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program, a professional development program that will take place in Earlville, NY, and serve artists in the Central and Southern Tier regions of New York State. 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, Earlville Opera House, and Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts, Inc. 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 professional development opportunity, offered in-person,* 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 target those issues for artists specifically located in Central and Southern Tier regions of New York State, 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 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. Throughout the program, 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. Participants will be selected through a panel review process.

*We are planning for an in-person program. At present, Earlville Opera House requires proof of vaccination and mask wearing upon entry in an effort to provide the safest and most comfortable environment for all guests. The program will be moved online, if necessary.

NYFA will be accepting applications from now through Thursday, September 9, 11:59 PM EST.

Program Dates:

Thursday, October 14: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM EDT
Overview of Artist As Entrepreneur and Participant Introductions

Intensive: Friday, October 15; Saturday, October 16; and Sunday, October 17, 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: Earlville Opera House, 18 E Main St, Earlville, NY 13332

Attendance is mandatory to all sessions, please check your calendar before applying. The dates listed above are planned for an in-person program. At present, Earlville Opera House requires proof of vaccination and mask wearing upon entry in an effort to provide the safest and most comfortable environment for all guests. The program will be moved online, if necessary.

How to Apply:

Apply via Submittable* by Thursday, September 9, 11:59 PM EDT.

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 Broome, Chenango, Otsego, and other counties from the Central and Southern Tier regions.

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 Thursday, September 23

Questions regarding the application process: Contact NYFA and include “Earlville/Golden” in the subject line.

To request an accommodation or assistance in applying, please email [email protected]. We ask that requests for accommodation be made as soon as possible or by Thursday, August 19 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.

Questions regarding local knowledge: Contact [email protected]

Testimonials: 

I had a wonderful experience, and would highly recommend this workshop to any active or aspiring artist in New York. The workshop provided me with tools and insights that I will continue to rely on as I develop as an artist. Learning about NYFA/NYSCA’s review process for grants and fellowships was also invaluable.

Brad Lewter; Video, Film and New Media Artist; 2018 NYSCA/NYFA Artist As Entrepreneur Prorgram presented by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes 

It’s not often that I find people who take my career goals seriously, and it was revelatory to visualize making my art practice my career. Sometimes it just helps to have someone say, “this is possible.” I left on Sunday feeling inspired and encouraged.

Mary Milliken, Visual Artist, 2018 NYSCA/NYFA Artist As Entrepreneur Program presented by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes 

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.

Thank you to our partner, the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law (EASL) Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), for their generous support of this program.

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.