Emerge’s 2018 Professional Development Series will guide students through a variety of topics related to fostering creativity and professional engagement with the arts. This series of classes is designed to serve students of all experience levels, so whether you are a beginner or seasoned veteran in the arts, this class is for you! This workshop series celebrates individuality rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to professional development. While each workshop will explore art industry standards, our discussions will focus on adapting these guidelines to fit each individual artist.  

Each class session will feature one hour of discussion and presentation related to the topic of the day. Printed materials, examples, and worksheets will accompany this part of each workshop.

The second hour of each class will be reserved for feedback about student work from previous workshops.  For example, if one participates in the Focus on the Studio workshop in February, they can bring progress photos or the artwork itself to the March session for feedback.

This approach will allow us not only to cover new material each month, but also to revisit topics from previous months to see how everyone is integrating new ideas and processes into their studio practice.

Classes will be held from 6pm – 8pm on the last Tuesday of each month from February – June of 2018.

Send an email with “Artist Incubator 2018” or similar in the subject line to classesatemerge@gmail.com

Limited Space

February 27, 2018 – Focus on the Studio: Creating a Cohesive Body of Work

This workshop will offer some guidance for artists who are ready to take their studio work to the next level. Each artist has their own studio habits and preferences, so we’ll explore ways each individual can promote artistic growth and work around common creative obstacles. Discussion topics will include: working in series, conceptual development, effective uses of sketchbooks and writing, studio time management, and more!

March 27, 2018 – Writing an Artist Statement and Biography

An artist statement and biography are essential components of any artist’s toolbox. The artist statement is a verbal introduction to the artwork, and similarly, the biography is an introduction to the artist’s professional identity. Since these documents are used frequently and in many different contexts, it is important to keep them current and looking their best. In this workshop we’ll discuss some guidelines for getting started on or refining both of these professional documents.

April 24, 2018 – Writing an Artist’s Resume

Adhering to industry standards and creating consistent formatting are the keys to creating an effective artist’s resume. This workshop offers an introduction to those standards, and we’ll also discuss work flow methods and the use of one’s resume as a self-motivation tool. If you’ve been putting off resume creation or revision, this workshop will be a catalyst for the next stage of growth!

May 29, 2018 – Portfolio Development

During this workshop, we’ll consider how to present an artist’s portfolio in an efficient and professional manner. This session will address the creation and storage of quality photographs of the artwork as well as the presentation of those photos in a portfolio. Digital technologies offer an array of options for presenting one’s artistic work to the world, and this workshop will be an opportunity to discover the portfolio building method that fits you best.

June 26, 2018 – Applying for Exhibitions, Grants, and other Professional Opportunities

You’ve put in the studio hours and the artwork is amazing. Your professional documents and portfolio are polished and proof-read to perfection. It is time to show your work to the world! This workshop will introduce the practice of applying to exhibitions and grants at the local, regional, and national level. We’ll also discuss seeking out teaching and administrative opportunities using your professional materials to support an application.