An Opportunity for Creatives – Artists, Performers, Writers, and Artisans – to Learn How to be Better Entrepreneurs.

May 20, 2023

Pleasantville Camp
260 Third St., Pleasantville, PA 16341

*Registration is Closed*

The Creative Entrepreneur Conference is open to all Northwestern Pennsylvania creatives who want to start or take their business to the next level.

This event will provide information from professionals, organizations, agencies, service providers, and practicing artists on doing business as a creative entrepreneur and best practices for success.  Saturday will be filled with concurrent sessions on topics such as Intellectual Property & copyright, Bookkeeping & Taxes, Branding, Marketing, Participating in Fairs & Festivals, Pricing Your Work/Products, Online Sales, and more!

See more details for the event below.  Registration details and an online payment link can be found at the bottom of this page.  Overnight lodging is available nearby in Titusville (15-minute commute).

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Saturday, May 20th:
8am – 9:30am        Registration and Breakfast
10am – 10:45am    2 concurrent sessions
11am – 11:45am      2 concurrent sessions
Noon -12:45pm     Lunch in the dining hall
1pm – 1:45pm         2 concurrent sessions
2pm – 2:45pm        2 concurrent sessions
3pm – 3:45pm        2 concurrent sessions
4pm – 5:30pm       Roundtable Q&A session
5:30 – 6:30pm       Dinner in the dining hall
6:30 – 8pm             Campfire, snacks and music

SESSIONS & PRESENTERS:

We have planned a variety of presentation topics to help you start or grow your creative business.  No matter your business’ current status, these sessions will help lay the groundwork for moving it forward!  Saturday will offer five pairs of concurrent sessions from which you can choose a total of five, one per time slot.  (See the registration form for the session schedule).  These sessions will be followed by a Round Table discussion – your opportunity for questions and answers from professional artists, artisans, performers, writers and makers.

Marketing & Social Media
Learn the basics of marketing your business using various media, including print, web, direct mail, social media and more.
Rafi & Klee, Owners, Rafi & Klee Studios

Bookkeeping & Taxes
What every creative entrepreneur should know about financial records and deductible expenses, as well as sales tax and self-employed taxes.
Jim Roeder, CPA, NW Accounting

Branding/Logo
Building your brand as a creative business, from message and connecting with your market to the type style, colors, and imagery that represents you/your business.
Holly Lynn Gibbons, CEO, GBS Web Services LLC

Pricing Work/Products
Next to branding, this may be one of the most difficult decisions you face as a creative entrepreneur.  How do you find the right balance between making a profit and selling your product/service?
Rafi & Klee, Owners, Rafi & Klee Studios

Online Store/Sales
What are the options, pitfalls, and best practices for selling online?  How do they compare in terms of cost, DIY ability, limitations, ease of use, and reach?
Ron Mattocks, Owner/VP of Client Strategy, Bull Moose Marketing

Patents, Trademarks, & Copyrights
What you create, no matter its form, is a valuable asset.  How do you protect your intellectual property from unauthorized use?  What are the risks in this digital age and how can you avoid them?  How do you license your work for use on products while protecting your rights?
Jason Drake, Intellectual Property Attorney

Fairs & Festivals
Participating in fairs, festivals, and other events offer a variety of opportunities for creative entrepreneurs, but how do you choose and how do you prepare?  What kind of marketing materials and insurance do you need?  How do you make your booth stand out and handle transactions?  What are best practices for interacting with customers?
Rafi & Klee, Owners, Rafi & Klee Studios

Funding & Grant Programs
While grants for businesses are scarce, there are currently some opportunities for the creative community.  These are usually very specific in who qualifies, based on what you do, where you are, whether you are part of an underserved community, etc.  Area organizations will present their opportunities and others they know of with broader qualification criteria.
Kylee Mader, Creative Funding Coordinator, Elk County Council on the Arts/PA Partners in the Arts
Julia McCray, President, Forest County Business Alliance
Barbara Pierce, Arts Oil City

Opportunities for Creatives
A number of opportunities are available for artists, artisans, writers, and performers both in northwestern Pennsylvania and throughout the state.  Learn about opportunities available in the region that you can take advantage of now, residencies and teaching opportunities, co-ops, exhibits, festivals, organizations seeking performers, and more!
Ashley Fosbrink, Value Chain Manager, PA Wilds/Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania
Kylee Mader, Creative Funding Coordinator, Elk County Council on the Arts/PA Partners in the Arts
Barbara Pierce, Arts Oil City/Oil City Artist Relocation Program

Artist Statements & Bios
Some opportunities, like galleries, competitions, magazines and residency programs, will require you to submit an artist statement and bio.  Done right, these are valuable tools for media coverage and participation in shows, as well as on your website and social media accounts.
Marcy Hall, Artist, Marcy Hall Art

EXHIBITORS:

• Allegheny National Forest – Artist in Residence Program
• Arts Oil City – Oil City Artist Relocation Program and Oil City Creative Venture Grants
• Elk County Council on the Arts (PA Partner in the Arts for Central PA counties including Forest, Elk, McKean) – Creative Entrepreneur Assistance and Creative Sector Flex Fund grants, and Arts in Education teaching opportunities.
• Erie Arts and Culture – Pennsylvania Partner in the Arts (PPA) for Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer, and Venango counties
• Forest Area Arts Council – Performing, speaking, and teaching opportunities in Forest County, PA.
• Forest County Business Alliance – Professional Consultation vouchers available for creative entrepreneurs in Forest County.
• Rafi & Klee Studios – YouTube creators, artists, musicians, creators of The Rogue Artist Community and resources for artists, including a series of books.
• Titusville Council on the Arts – Teaching and performing opportunities in Titusville, PA.
• Wilds Cooperative of PA – Multiple opportunities for sales, promotion, and professional development for artists/artisans in the 12 counties of the PA Wilds region.

REGISTRATION:

The cost to attend this year’s Creative Entrepreneur Conference is just $75/person for the entire day, including all meals!  This low price is made possible through a grant secured by the Forest County Business Alliance from the USDA – Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant Program.

SPONSORS: