Art Entrepreneurs (4/21/2005)
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Arts and Culture in Montana has a new helping hand, with the creation of the TRACE (Transforming Regional Artisans into Creative Entrepreneurs) program at the College of Technology in Great Falls. The certificate course, created last year, and currently schooling its second batch of students, is dedicated to helping artists learn how to market themselves and there artwork.
I spoke with Dr. Cindy Kittredge, program director for the TRACE, about the program, and here is the overview:
The TRACE program is designed to kick-start an artists career by helping them learn a broad range of business skills. The 30 Credit course is currently broken up into 3 semesters, with classes being conducted on alternating weekends and online to accommodate a working schedule.
The program curriculum focuses on marketing, business communication, business math, and computer skills. In addition the program concludes with a course appropriately titled "Capstone Experience", in which students develop and participate in the sale of there art goods at a public crafts or arts related events. 5 students of the current Capstone Experience class were taken to the Kentucky Craft Show, noted as the 10th largest craft show in the country. The students sold a combined $20,000 of their artwork at this show.
The second batch of students called "cohorts" by the program staff, will be attending Bluegrass on the Bay in Great Falls on July 15. Like the previous Capstone Experience students, they will have the opportunity to sell there artwork and hopefully make some long-term contacts.
Odds and Ends: Because the TRACE program is a college level certificate program it is also possible for students to receive financial aid. In addition the program is currently seeking accredidation and approval from the Montana Board of Regents.
Additional information about the TRACE program is available by visiting the College's website www.msugf.edu, calling the College at 771-4300, or contacting Dr. Kittredge at 268-3713 or ckittredge@msugf.edu
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