Asheville Area Arts Council to offer new workforce development training

Creative Industry Management Curriculum: Craft The Asheville Area Arts Council in partnership with the NC REAL Institute, HandMade in America, and The Support Center’s Women’s Business Center of Western NC will be offering Creative Industry Management, Curriculum: Craft, a new entrepreneurship training course for craft artists in Buncombe County. The course will a utilize unique NC REAL teaching methods, Action Learning, and student generated learning meant to engage creative individuals. The learning experience involves activities with movement, brainstorming, team building, collaboration, quick timelines, problem solving, and perspective shifting.   This 8-week course guides the participant through the process of business planning and covering the essentials of the craft artisan’s business model. Participants emerge from the 8-week course with a business plan tailored for the economic success of their creative product, and will receive one free hour of technical assistance from the Asheville Area Arts Council and participating partners. The Support Center’s Women’s Business Center of Western NC is partnering on this event and will provide resources and technical assistance as needed. Creative Industry Management, Curriculum: Craft is scheduled to start Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at HandMade in America, 125 S. Lexington Avenue Ste. 101, Asheville, NC 28801, and will be augmented by technical assistance, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring throughout the year at the Asheville Area Arts Council’s Artist Resource Center new Grove Arcade location, and at HandMade in America.  This 8-week course will be made available for $500.00 ($63 per week). Scholarships will be available for qualifying participants, thanks to funds from the Asheville Area Arts councils and funds from the Windgate Charitable Foundation, and the City of Asheville. Enrollment is limited. Ready to take your craft career to the next level? Learn more about Creative Industry Management, Curriculum: Craft at a FREE “Sneak Peek” to be held on July 15th from 6-9pm atHandMade in America. Those interested in participating and learning more about the curriculum are encouraged to attend.