New WIP-Funded Initiative Focuses on Creative Economy

The University of Wyoming’s Neltje Center for Excellence in Creativity and the Arts, Sheridan College and Northwest College have been awarded $1.1 million through the Wyoming Innovation Partnership to strengthen the state’s creative economy.

The initiative is aimed at supporting artists and creatives in building sustainable art practices, starting arts-related nonprofits or building arts-related businesses. The initiative also is supported by the Wyoming Arts Council, UW’s IMPACT 307 and UW’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

A daylong workshop for those interested in applying for the program is scheduled from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at UW’s Visual Arts Building. Additional workshops are in planning for the spring in Sheridan, Powell, Riverton and Rock Springs. Some workshops will allow virtual participation.

Wyoming-based artists and creatives in any field -- from visual arts, to music, to theater and dance, writing or interdisciplinary work -- are invited to apply to participate in the program, which consists of:

-- A skills- and community-building workshop designed to guide participants through the many approaches to reaching professional goals and creating a foundation for unlimited artistic growth.

-- Assistance through mentorship and coaching from experts in diverse creative fields and in startup business practices.

-- Access to resources and support that will help artists sustain a creative life well beyond this program.

-- The opportunity to compete in a competition for an arts-focused business startup, nonprofit initiative or arts-related enterprise.

This innovative arts startup accelerator helps creative individuals from all fields gain the skills needed to bring their practice to a new level or develop a viable business model rooted in creativity. The program enables artists and creatives to master creative economy basics, solidify plans and even refine their pitches for a chance to win up to $25,000 in startup funding.

The daylong workshops will be led by Sharon Louden, an internationally recognized artist, author, advocate for artists, community-builder and leading voice in professional development for artists from all over the world.

Each workshop will include a period of instruction and discussion; a panel of creatives who will unpack how they built sustainable art practices, nonprofits or businesses; and an introduction to the mentor/coaching program.

Following the workshops, participants will have access to a customized mentor/coaching team of experts from across Wyoming and across the country, assembled to assist each participant in preparing to launch a new creative enterprise. Participants who choose to also will be invited to develop proposals that will make them eligible to join the “Creative Economy Start-up Challenge.”

For more information, go here.