As any artist quickly learns, making a living as a self-employed person is not about just producing great creative work. There are bills to be paid and all sorts of tasks to attend to that usually aren't taught in art school or music school. But getting a handle on the business side of being an artist can be a rewarding and productive move. Thanks to a series of workshops offered in several Wisconsin cities, artists can get focused, practical training in these sorts of skills.

Called "Artists: Making a Living, Making a Life," upcoming workshops will take place in Eau Claire, Milwaukee, Platteville and Ashland (see below for more information). Topics covered include career planning, writing a business plan, record keeping, financial management and marketing one's work. There will also be time for one-on-one consultation and a chance to learn about the Wisconsin Common Market program, which allows artists and other vendors to do business on the Internet.

The workshops are sponsored by the Wisconsin Arts Board and Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts. Thanks to financial support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, the registration fee for the two-day sessions is only $50. Presenters include staff of Springboard for the Arts and special guests from Wisconsin. Springboard for the Arts is a nonprofit service group based in St. Paul, Minn., that focuses on developing artists' business skills.

Artists from all visual and performing arts disciplines are encouraged to participate. However, since space is limited, early registration is encouraged. Participants may register online at the Web site of the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts. This will be an excellent opportunity for artists who want to take their careers to the next level to boost their skills and connect with like-minded people in their region.

Says Karen Goeschko, assistant director for programs and services at the Wisconsin Arts Board, "We are delighted by the opportunity to offer these workshops to Wisconsin's artists, and grateful for the National Endowment for the Arts 'Challenge America' grant that allows the day and a half workshop to be so affordable! So many of Wisconsin's artists are ready to take this next step in their careers. And we're also happy to be able to work with Springboard, the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts, and our local hosts to help artists take that step." For more information, call Karen Goeschko at 608-266-0190.

Upcoming workshops:

Eau Claire—Nov. 5-6, 2004
DestiniArtworks
120 Graham Ave.
715-836-7331

Milwaukee—Feb. 25-26, 2005
Bucketworks, Milwaukee's Creative Resources Center
1319 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
414-305-1324

Platteville—March 11-12, 2005
Information to be announced

Ashland—April 8-9, 2005
Information to be announced