Timing of the innovative program is linked to completion of arts incubator space at the Ice House funded by a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. “Providing space, like the dance studio, in which artists can work and teach is just part of the incubator process,” said Jeanne Mozier who developed the training program for MAC. “Making available the type of business training artists need is almost as important as the space. Far more artists can be involved including those from other counties,” she said.

Topics and teachers for this pilot program were selected based on several sources of information including statewide arts economic impact studies and more than 300 evaluations from WV Arts Assembly 2006. “Not only did we learn that artists wanted such training but also that they wanted teachers who had actually done the work,” said Mozier. “MAC worked hard to get the best people available in the region as teachers.”

According to Mozier, classes are scheduled from 2 to 5pm on the first afternoon, then followed up with a second session from 9:30am to 12:30pm the following morning. “We chose this pattern for two reasons,” explained Mozier. “It meant that attendees could do some work on each day as well as go to class, and that they had time overnight to absorb what they learned.”

A Practical Guide to Entrepreneurship and Profitable Pricing for Artists and Artisans is the first class, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, September 20 and 21. “One of the hardest things for many artists is coming up with a price for their work that both covers costs and their labor as well as being competitive in the marketplace,” said Mozier. “Artists who want to make their living through their art are true entreprenuers,” she said. “They need to learn how to think that way.” Rebecca Stelling of Mountain Artisans in Charleston is teaching this session. “Rebecca may be the most savvy art entreprenuer in the state,” said Mozier. “She has been credited with initiating the entire movement of marketing West Virginia art with Sharon Rockefeller in the 1970s and has been doing it successfully ever since. She’s an artist/designer herself and a marketing representative for other artists as well,” she said. “We could not have gotten anyone more experienced or inspiring to open the program.”

Mozier is enthusiastic about the entire series which continues in October and November 2007 and March, April and May, 2008. On Wednesday, October 24, Rebecca Kimmons of Katalyst in Charleston is teaching Media Savvy Marketing. “Becky is outstanding in this area,” said Mozier. “She established the successful media program used by Travel Berkeley Springs and also handled Class VI River Runners, the state’s premier white water rafting company. Becky will teach the artists how they can be a star using free media coverage.”

The second session of the October class has the Eastern Panhandle marketing team of Jen Rolston and Sandy Sponaugle working with artists on marketing materials. The designer/public relations pair are also teaching both days of the November class on Wednesday and Thursday, November 14 and 15 outlining for artists What a Hard Working Website Should Be. “We learned from the various surveys that having an Internet presence is essential for artists,” said Mozier. “Most understand the concept but need guidance in what that should be.”

On Wednesday, March 19, Katie Ihndris of Monarch CPAs in Martinsburg presents a class in taxes as they relate to artists. The Thursday morning session is taught by Jill Klein Rone who addresses the nitty gritty of bookeeping, tracking expenses and comparative shopping. “This is another area that seems to be a mystery to many artists,” said Mozier.

Helping artists navigate the skills they need to work in schools as visiting artists is the topic on Wednesday and Thursday, April 16 and 17 when Cheryl Capezutti comes in from Pittsburgh to teach everything from planning a residency to engaging the classroom teacher as a collaborator. Capezutti has more than 15 years experience working in schools and community settings and has been a longtime consultant and teacher of other artists with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

The final class on Wednesday and Thursday, May 14 and 15 is Creative Curating taught by Kelli Burns of Hamlin, West Virginia. “Artists need to know how to exhibit their work in both galleries and non-traditional settings,” said Mozier. “It’s another aspect of marketing. Kelli is widely recognized as both a passionate promoter of working artists and the most creative curator in the state,” she said. Burns’ credentials include the Huntington Museum of Art, Museum in the Community and Sunrise Museum.

“We have a great celebration and panel presentation planned for June as a way of putting all this in perspective,” said Mozier. On Wednesday, June 11 at the Country Inn, seven West Virginia artists who have enjoyed full and successful careers in both visual and performing arts present the high points and lessons of their lives. “Anyone may attend, whether they participated in any of the earlier classes or not,” she said. “Just hearing from folks like Jean Pierre and Carol Hsu and Pam and Ren Parziale about how they built their homes, sent their kids to college and made a living doing the artwork they loved for more than 30 years is inspiring.”

Some funding is provided for the project by a Challenge America grant from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. “It was rated as the best of all grants submitted to the program,” said Mozier. “Part of the requirements for that particular grant is to report on what we learn in the process of doing this program,” she said. “There is a need for artist training throughout the state and hopefully what we do in Berkeley Springs will be useful elsewhere.” Other support is provided by the Small Business Development Center at Blue Ridge Technical College. “There are also special training funds available to assist military veterans in attending the classes,” said Mozier. “All these sources are helping MAC keep the price of the classes affordable for working artists.”

Registration in the classes is now open and a limited number of spaces are available. Classes are open only to West Virginia artists or emerging artists. Call 304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org for registration forms.