Business Classes

The Business Classes Committee determines the class topics, secures the instructors, promotes the classes to the Fair artists, and hosts the classes during the Fair. This committee also arranges and hosts a series of classes that is offered throughout the year.  The Chair is selected by the Fair Chair. The objectives of the classes are:

  • To improve the business knowledge of American Indian artists: marketing/sales, social media techniques, business accounting, planning.
  • To improve the skill level in producing professional art marketing pieces for print and internet.
  • To improve the skill level in communication skills required for sales of art pieces.

The Chair:

  • Attends all Fair meetings scheduled by the Fair Chair.
  • Acknowledges, by thank you note or other means, appreciation for the work done by volunteers working on this committee.
  • Reviews the Guild Member website to determine if the description of the committee in the public area accurately reflects committee work and sends necessary changes to webmaster@heardguild.org.
  • At the end of the year, reviews the committee job description posted on the Guild website and in the Committee Notebook. They should both be the same. Makes any necessary changes and sends to the President Elect and to webmaster@heardguild.org.
  • Attends the Indian Fair & Market Wrap Up Meeting and submits four unbound copies of the annual Committee Report using the Sample Committee Report as a guide. These reports will be distributed to the incoming Committee Chair, the Fair Chair, and the President and one copy is filed in the Museum Library and Archives. Also, a copy of the report in MSWord is e-mailed to webmaster@heardguild.org for posting on the Guild website.

Tasks

  • Coordinate Enhancing Your Art business classes in a pre-Fair session for Indian Fair & Market artists.
  • Communicate this opportunity to the artists and the Guild members through the Artist Exhibitors Committee processes.
  • Assure that instructors understand the business of marketing and selling art as well as the application of these processes within the American Indian culture.
  • Assess the quality and usefulness of the instructional sessions for the fair artists. Previously, SCORE instructors were used from the Small Business Administration at no cost to the Guild.

Time line

September mailing to artists

  • Include information letter about upcoming classes prior to the Fair.

October/November mailing to artists

  •  Include information letter and ask for registration in classes.

January mailing to artists

  • Include reminder information letter and request registration for classes.

January – March, Fair meetings with Artist Exhibitor Committee

  • Reserve classroom space (Monte Vista was perfect) for Thursday session while the artists are setting up booths.
  • Order audiovisual and training supplies: easel pads, classroom materials, handouts.

March: Thursday before Fair

  • Welcome artists, take attendance at each class, stay present in room to assist instructors or artists in any way. Provide water for instructors.
  • In previous years, a professional photographer was in the adjoining kitchen to Monte Vista to photograph at no cost artists’ work that they had brought to the Fair. It was a very popular service and one needed as any judge for jurying can tell you.  The photographer gave each artist a CD and a release so that they could use the photos for marketing purposes. The Chair will have to line up the photographer, schedule the artists for times to bring their items in to be photographed, provide extra lighting or hangers (for example, for large weavings or quilts), and assist the photographer during that day.