Business Start Up For Creatives Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Taking place over a single weekend, this course is for artists, makers, designers, photographers and image makers who wish to know about how to set up in business, and learn about the benefits of becoming self-employed. Did you know for instance that you can be employed and run an arts practice or design business at the same time? Did you know that if you freelance, sell work or need to gain commissions or run workshops on an ongoing basis you might need to gain legal trading status? But don't panic!
This course will give you a concise overview of where to find sources of support, how to write a business plan, promote and identify a market for your artworks, designs, and creative skills. Other topics covered include raising awareness of legal issues, taxation, costing and pricing, what to charge and how to get paid.
The course includes a talk by a recently self-employed arts, design or lens-based start-up. City law firm Laytons LLP is offering a free business name check and trade mark search to delegates on this course.
Who this course is for
This course is suitable for artists, makers, designers, photographers or any other creative professionals wishing to develop their entrepreneurship skills.
Key information
Topics covered
- You will understand in seven steps how to set up as a creative freelancer, start an arts/crafts practice, or design business
- Consider the key aspects of networking, promotion, and marketing
- Gain an overview of how to write a business plan and related trends
- Have an insight into Intellectual property and key legal aspects for your enterprise
- How to value time regarding charging fees or costing and pricing products
- Learn about how tax in a fun way and the process of invoicing and getting paid
- Get to hear firsthand from a self-employed creative person how they set their business up and ask them questions
Learning outcomes
- After completing this course, you will be more prepared to start a creative or design business, set up your arts or crafts practice or start freelancing
- You will also have two packs of handouts full of useful resources, contacts, and information to help you start or grow your business
- If you attend this course and have been trading for some months or even years you will learn more about the basics which you may not have covered previously or understand properly
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Notepad and pen
- Calculator or phone with calculator application
- 3-4 Printouts, photographs or examples of your work, if you have them, do not worry if you do not
Tutor
Alison Branagan
Alison Branagan MA IC FRSA is an author, creative enterprise consultant and an associate lecturer at Central Saint Martins.
Over the last decade Alison has written several business start-up and specialist enterprise books for artists, designers and creative entrepreneurs. Her latest book is The Essential Guide to Business for Artists & Designers, second edition, with a foreword by Sir James Dyson is published by Bloomsbury. She lectures in business start-up, innovation, legal matters, self-promotion, and presentation skills. Alison has also developed entrepreneurial workshops and initiatives for a number of arts colleges, universities and organisations.
She is also an associate of the Design Trust, Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Member of the Society of Authors, Associate of the Institute of Consulting, Member of the Federation of Small Businesses, and Crafts Council mentor. Alison has also been an ethical adviser to the Association of Illustrators and a mentor for the The Freelancer Club, (for stylists, fashion designers and photographers).
She has also worked as a specialist arts and design business adviser for a wide range of enterprise support and creative industries programmes in the UK. She has a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Birmingham School of Art and an MA (Distinction) in Applied Art and Visual Culture from Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design. For further information about her publications, workshops and view a selective archive of her arts practice please visit: www.alisonbranagan.com
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