Arts Directory
The Arts Directory on this website allows individual artists and arts groups to create personal profile pages, with contact information and visual and sound samples of their work. Those looking for local artists are able to search the Directory by artist name, city, art type, and availability for contracted services (e.g., performances, exhibits, instruction, commission work, etc.). The AIC also offers discounted photography services to member-artists so that their work may be displayed professionally on the web and in print.
Arts & Culture Events Calendar
The Calendar of Events on this website is a “one-stop” source of information about arts and cultural events and activities throughout Calhoun County. Visitors are able to search the calendar and sort events by location, artist, venue, art type, and date. Artists and arts businesses are able to feature their events on the calendar, and benefit from the AIC's website marketing campaign.
E-Newsletter
Anyone who is interested in receiving an online arts newsletter may subscribe in the newsletter section of this website. Member artists and arts businesses are able to promote their products, events, and services through this electronic newsletter service.
Regional Arts Marketing Campaign: Where is Art?
The AIC launched a countywide arts marketing campaign in November 2006, including direct mail, print ads, and billboards, to heighten public awareness of the impact of regional arts and creative industries on quality of life and economic development. One of the goals of the campaign is to drive the public to the Arts Directory and Calendar of Events, thereby increasing exposure for member artists, arts organizations and arts businesses.
Artist Health Insurance
Many artists and small arts businesses find it cost prohibitive to purchase health insurance. The AIC is working in partnership with the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids to collectively offer members an affordable “association” health plan option. If you are interested in such a plan, please contact us at 269.441.2700.
Education/Workshops
Calhoun County artists have specifically requested courses/workshops covering the following business development topics. The AIC hosts quarterly Artist Roundtables and over the coming months, the AIC will identify, package, and market these courses to our membership.
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Creating a business plan
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PC skills, website development & e-commerce
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Contracts, pricing and hidden costs, working with galleries
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Accounting and financial record keeping
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Purchasing and inventory management
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Marketing, branding, presentation and portfolios
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Insurance, risk management and protecting intellectual property
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Production, packaging, exporting
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Management, staffing, and employee relations
Creative Industry Grants/Loan Fund
In order to provide financial support for emerging creative industry start-ups and incubator operational expenses (e.g., course catalogs, marketing, equipment and supplies, infrastructure, and reference materials), the AIC is working to secure funds for an emerging artist/creative industry loan fund and/or grant program. The AIC will work with community stakeholders to develop guidelines for an effective grant/loan process.
Apprenticeship Program
As newly incubated creative industries begin their production processes, there will be opportunities for interested participants to work side-by-side with master artists and craftsmen to gain hands-on experience, learn about product design and development, and strengthen their own skills. In order to create a formal pathway for students to participate in this process, the Calhoun Intermediate School District (CISD) has become a formal partner in the Incubator Network. Over the 2006-07 school year, the CISD, the AIC, existing incubators, and other Network partners will be working together to develop curriculum and formal apprenticeship opportunities that will be offered through the Calhoun Area Technology Center (CATC). The CATC is located in Battle Creek and is a provider of career/technical education for 12 public and private area school districts, drawing students from both rural and urban areas across Calhoun County.
The benefit of having a K-12 partner is that students can be exposed to all of the business development components of entrepreneurial endeavor (e.g., sales and marketing, business plan development, finance and accounting, etc.), as well as the theoretical side of product design and development, while they are working alongside master artists and gaining hands-on experience.
The AIC is also working to bring additional apprenticeship partners into the Network. These will include a higher education component so that students may graduate from the CATC program and continue their studies locally. Other future partners will, hopefully, include Michigan Works! and local unions, both of which have access to talented craftspeople who may be interested in launching their own creative industries or working with one that is already established. In the ranks of unemployed Michigan workers, there is a tremendous wealth of outstanding creative talent. One of the main goals of the Incubation Network is to provide alternative pathways for regional job creation.
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