The Business of Art Conference
presents
where creative people come to connect & learn
March 6 & 7, 2020
Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave, Ames, Iowa
About the Conference
The arts and other creative endeavors permeate the fabric of our lives. The arts have been shown to promote physical and mental health, learning, healing — and even to help give meaning to our lives.+ Arts and culture help drive Iowa’s economy, employing over 25,000 people and contributing $4 billion to the state’s economy.* Yet, artists can find it difficult to sustain their practices.
The Octagon Center for the Arts and the Ames Community Arts Council are partnering to present the second annual Business of Art Conference on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, 2020. We are dedicated to helping artists grow and succeed — and to supporting the impact of art in the world.
This conference is designed to strengthen skills and resources in both formally trained and self-taught creatives. Topics such as: developing a brand; finding a market through an online presence, festivals, galleries, consignment, and/or retail/wholesale sales; searching for funding; and self-care will be considered. In addition to professional development sessions, the conference will include networking opportunities throughout the day, giving participants the chance to talk one-on-one with the speakers, other professionals, and each other. Professionals and students in all types of creative work, part time or full time, in all stages of their career are welcome.
Last year’s conference drew about 75 professional creatives and students from around the region for a day-and-a-half of information sharing and networking. Participants had high praise for the event: “You nailed it!”
The conference location is the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, Iowa.
*Americans for the Arts Fact Sheets +Americans for the Arts, Creative Industries, Iowa report, 2017; U.S.Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2016.
Connect. Learn. Share. Inspire.
2020 Keynote Speaker
Ceramicist, Jonathan Castro
Originally from Chicago, IL, Jonathan Castro studied Ceramics & Photography at Iowa State University. During his studies his functional work was highly inspired & influenced by traditional Japanese Pottery. Thirteen years later, these traditional ideals continue to be the main drive of his work, but with a more modern updated style.
His Sculptural work, which is a great personal passion, tends to be inspired by natural plant & creature forms from the ocean. Fusing sculptural elements to function forms is a goal to bring traditional shapes to life.
Jonathan Castro Designs has been in boutique stores in New York, high end stores such as Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and has been designing product for West Elm NY locations as part of their local program. Sculptural designs have been made for interior design firms such as Drake/Anderson Design & Switch Modern. Collaborative designs and publications include LUXE Magazine, Interior Design Magazine and Hospitality Design.
Having handmade objects in ones every day is the mission.
Questions?
Click the registration button above to register. Complete this form to send us a message or question about the conference. Thanks!
Ames Community Arts Council & Octagon Center for the Arts
partner to bring you the Business of Art Conference
