Upcoming 2025 Professional Development Workshops
Screenwriting Basics
Presented by J.D. Zeik
Workshop Description:
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of screenwriting, from three-act structure, treatment writing and pitching, to an understanding of the business side of screenwriting (such as the difference between managers and agents). Participants are urged to watch the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, as it will be used to illustrate structure. While there are no requirements, it is hoped that participants will present an idea for a film that can be discussed.
Free for ACOR Members - Register HERE
$20 for Non-members - Register HERE
Art & Law Workshop:
Understanding Appropriation, Copyright & Fair Use
Presented by Atreya Mathur
Workshop Description:
Are all visual artworks protected by copyright law? What rights do you, as an artist, have to control the use of your work? How can you draw inspiration from others without crossing the line into infringement? In this workshop, we'll delve into these key questions and more. We will explore the fundamentals of copyright law, focusing on artists' rights, protections, and limitations.
Free for ACOR Members - Register HERE
$20 for Non-members - Register HERE
From the Heart of the Writer - To the Hands of the Editor
Presented by Tanio McCallum
Workshop Description:
A discussion about the important and nuanced role of editing on the journey to get published. No matter how you plan on getting your words out into the world (self-publishing, hybrid publishing or through a small or mainstream press), it is essential to find the right editor for you and your project.
Free for ACOR Members - Register HERE
$20 for Non-members - Register HERE
Past 2024 Professional Development Workshops
Pricing Your Artwork
Presented by Courtney Childress
Workshop Description:
In this virtual workshop, Courtney will guide artists through a comprehensive framework for setting appropriate prices for their work. She will delve into key factors such as exhibition history, press coverage, previous sales, and material costs, offering a clear and structured approach to pricing. Courtney’s emphasis is on moving beyond emotional pricing, encouraging artists to shift away from the common mindset of justifying prices based solely on the time spent on a piece.
Archiving Your Artwork
Presented by Barbara Pollitt
Workshop Description:
Whether you are an artist, collector, archivist, or student, mastering the art of digitally inventorying your collection is essential for advancing your ability to share, exhibit, sell, or simply refine your work.
In this workshop, you'll learn how to utilize the systems employed by the Sari Dienes Foundation, as well as explore other publicly available tools designed for managing collections.
Branding and Marketing Basics for Artists
Presented by Andrea Rhodes
Workshop Description:
Let’s start with the basics of any marketing effort - your brand positioning. Whether you’re an individual artist, a small cultural group or an arts organization, you have a brand. So we'll look to create (or flesh out) your brand story and boost your marketing. A logo, website, e-news and social media are vital parts of the mix. How are those going for you? In this workshop, we’ll provide on-the-spot ideas and inspirations to get your efforts moving.
Self-Publishing Your Book:
The Pros & Cons
A Panel Discussion with Lisa Levart, Betsy Franco-Feeney, and Tom Stratford
Panel Discussion Description:
Three self-published authors will share the successes and trials of bringing their work into the public’s eye without a traditional publishing house. During an invigorating panel discussion, the authors will share different ways to navigate this bold path. Topics to be explored will be fundraising through crowdsourcing, the benefits of creative control, getting your book ready for the printer and marketing.
Fiscal Sponsorship: Building a Community of Support
Presented by Madeleine Cutrona
Workshop Description:
Fiscal sponsorship is a fundraising tool that can help support your work as an independent artist. Do you have a brilliant idea for a nonprofit arts project? Are you ready to leverage the power of grants and individual donors? Eager to expand your network of supporters? Join Madeleine Cutrona, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at the New York Foundation for the Arts to explore these questions.
Grant Writing for Artists
Presented by Lily Greenberg
Workshop Description:
In this workshop, we will explore the ins and outs of finding and submitting to grant opportunities for artists of all kinds. The focus of this workshop is on process, and how submitting to grants can be a useful tool for clarifying your current artistic endeavors. Grants are one way in which artists communicate why their work matters for audience participation (in this case, funding) and the Artist Statement is foundational to this - it’s the core text that can be adapted for all different support purposes.