I Heart Art: Baltimore

Vanessa

Story by Vanessa

Published on Feb 23, 2011 in Seller Handbook

Baltimore, here we come! I’m excited to announce a new collaboration of the I Heart Art program, I Heart Art: Baltimore — which will promote education, outreach and support of the city’s vibrant community of artists and artisans. This program brings together Etsy, BEST (the local sellers’ Baltimore Etsy Street Team), the Maryland Institute College of Art (or MICA, one of the best art schools in the country), and specifically, their new graduate program designed for artists and crafters seeking deeper understanding of how to run their creative businesses. It’s called Master in Professional Studies in the Business of Art and Design, and earlier this year, we asked you to give your input in what you think would be valuable topics to cover (applications are now open).

Party
To kick off I Heart Art: Baltimore, we’ll be throwing a meet-n-greet party on MICA’s campus November 19, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. ET. Food, drink, music and a craft activity will be included in the festivities taking place in Brown Center’s Leidy Atrium, 1301. W. Mount Royal Ave.

Morgan and I will be there waving the Etsy flag (most likely not literally, but you never know) and would love to meet you face to face. David Gracyalny, who is running the new masters program, will be answering questions. If you can’t make it to the party, let me know in the comments below (maybe I can arrange an online chat with him). It’s important to note that David’s vision for the masters is that it’s mainly online, so even if you don’t live in Baltimore, you should check it out.

Workshops
As a precursor to the innovative M.P.S. in The Business of Art and Design program, which launches in May 2011, MICA’s School for Professional and Continuing Studies and Etsy will sponsor a free series of workshops aimed at professional development for artists and artisans, beginning in January. Workshops are held in Bunting 110 located at 1401. W. Mount Royal Ave. (We’re hoping to share them as online videos too. I’ll keep you posted on that.)

The workshop schedule is:

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 7–9 p.m.: Realities of Running an Indie Biz (NCEP 101A). Watch the archived video of this workshop. Feel free to pass it on!

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7–9 p.m.: Finding Your Market with Megan Auman (NCEP 102A)
Archived video coming soon!

Tuesday, March 29, 7–9 p.m.: Tax Time (NCEP 103A)

Tuesday, April 12, 7–9 p.m.: Web Marketing (NCEP 104A)

Tuesday, May 3, 7– 9 p.m.: Growing Your Arts Business, Presented by Megan Auman of Crafting an MBA  (NCEP 105A)
Are you ready to take your arts business to the next level but aren’t really sure what the next level looks like or how to get there?

This workshop will explore strategies for growing your business. We’ll talk about setting goals, business strategy, and creating a road map for growing your business. We’ll also look at the importance of developing multiple streams of income, and how to get help for your business by using independent contractors and employees.

To attend workshops, register online here. Registration will begin on Monday, December 13. Each workshop is limited to the first 40 people who register. 

We’ve also been working with students and professors at MICA. This year, Professor Zvezdana Stojmirovic’s Fashion Graphics class is focused on designing original products and launching Etsy shops to learn how to bring them to market. Be sure to check out their shops! Last year, an advanced web design class led by Jason Corace mocked up ideas for Etsy site features. These students are seriously talented and it has been inspiring to work with them.

I Heart Art: Baltimore is the second in our collaborations with local community and art schools. The first was I Heart Art: Portland. Our Oregonian friends did a series of free workshops, which culminated in the Mixer Match — a sort of speed-dating event pairing elevator-pitching artists and crafters with local boutique owners and buyers. Super fun!

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