Artist Career Training

A six-week program to advance your creative business and expand your professional network. 

Get access to resources available to enhance your business, including: 
  • Professional Skills Development
  • Mentoring Opportunities
  • Funding 


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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

This six-week program begins in the fall. 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 meal will be provided. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated.

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. 

Program Timeline:

Session Date Time Topic Hosted By

Session 1 

9/24/25 

6-9 p.m. 

Goal Setting & Business Model Canvas 

Vicky Valdez 

Session 2 

10/01/25 

6-9 p.m.

Marketing & Social Media Strategies 

Monica Pena 

Session 3 

10/08/25 

6-9 p.m.

Copyright and Business Structure 

Brooks Rice 

Session 4 

10/15/25 

6-9 p.m.

Budget & Finance 

Ryan Millan 

Session 5 

10/22/25 

6-9 p.m.

Grants and Fundraising 

Anne-Marie McKaskle Davis 

Session 6 
(Mandatory) 

10/29/25 

6-9 p.m.

Pitch Presentation Night 

All Participants 


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