Artist Career Training is a six-week program to advance your creative business. Learn from subject matter experts about City resources, business planning, intellectual property, marketing, and funding. You’ll also meet with mentors and expand your professional network.

 

**** The 2024 Artist Career Training Program Applications are now closed.  Any submissions past the deadline of August 13, 5pm CST will be marked as ineligible.  ****

Program Details

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: 

  • Creative professionals from all disciplines who have at least 2 years of work to show. 
  • Individuals 18 years of age and older on the date of the application. 
  • Individuals must reside in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties.  

 

Ineligible Applicants: 

 

Training

The six-week program begins October 9 and ends November 13. Training will be in-person on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. at the City of Austin Economic Development Department offices at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd. A light dinner will be provided. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated when possible. 

Attending all classes and completing the homework is vital to ensuring participants gain the maximum benefit of the program. Participants will receive a training workbook and The Business of Art: An Artist’s Guide to Profitable Self-Employment book. 

Topics include:  

  • Week 1: Goal Setting and Business Canvas 
  • Week 2: Marketing and Social Media Strategies 
  • Week 3: Copyright, Business Structure, Contracts, and Partnerships 
  • Week 4: Budgeting and Taxes 
  • Week 5: Grants and Fundraising - Develop grant proposal 
  • Week 6: Proposal Pitch Night - $500, $750, and $1,000 prize to three winners 

Application Details

 

Application Review Process

Up to 24 creatives will be selected for the program through a competitive application process by a panel of community arts leaders and practitioners representing a range of artistic disciplines. We strive to balance many factors in each selection process to create a diverse and equitable cohort. 

Criteria for acceptance include:  

  • Quality of Artistic Work 
  • Applicants' Career Goals 
  • Overall Readiness for the Program 

 

Testimonial

Listen to an Artist Career Training testimonial.