What is Selling Out?

In the Strategic Planning for Individual Artists workshop one of the participants brought up the "elephant on the table question" - what is selling out. It was the perfect question for professional artists trying to make their living from their art.

I asked the group to note that the two words "selling" and "out". Notice that selling means sales and out means getting your work out there. So if you are successful in making sales by getting your work out there you were living your goal and yet...that is bad? Logic does not compute.

The grand take-away was that you need to be clear about your values, beliefs and vision. Without that in mind you really don't know if you are selling out because you could end up going down the wrong path without knowing why.

Really interesting discussion.

Strategic Planning for Individual Artists: From Vision to Reality

Next month I'm presenting a strategic planning workshop for the Center for Cultural Innovation.

Strategic Planning for Individual Artists: From Vision to Reality

Evolving your arts business begins with articulating goals that are ambitious, inspirational and accomplishable. You will learn how to use coaching tools that provide a foundation to the strategic planning process, keeping it grounded and solution-focused.

This workshop will cover:
Strategic planning
Mind-mapping, past, present and future
Articulating goals in your stretch zone
Using the GROW3 coaching tool to create a plan
Thinking partnerships: peer coaching

Date: Monday, April 27, 2009
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
Location: SF State, 835 Market Street, 6th floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 (next to Westfield Shopping Center, Powell Street BART/Muni stop)
Cost: $35 (BOA / CCI Members) / $40 Non-members

Creating Entrepreneurial Vision and Mission Statements

Today I am observing the first part of a fantastic seven session course to help artists be more entrepreneurial. It is presented by the Center of Cultural Innovation (CCI). I will be a Cluster Counselor for the final session in November.

How fantastic to be sitting here with over 50 artists from San Jose. The presenters, Nancy and Richard Walch of Walch Consulting are spectacular in that they are deeply engaging the participants I articulating their core values and writing a mission statement. Although I am sitting on the sidelines I too am participating in the exercises.

Framing your vision and mission statements is always challenging. Personally, I get buggered up in "speak", diluting my statements.

Here are some helpful suggestions from Richard and Nancy...

Vision Statement: This is where you see yourself in ten years. Talk as though you are in that place.

Mission statement: This is what I do.
This is why it is of value. This is who I do it for.

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I am an Artist

That's what Rachel's niece told me when I was admiring her artwork. Kids rock. They say it like it is. Look at these great portraits Peyton drew of me and Matthew. She captured our spirit.