Art Round Tennessee hosts its fifth annual Art and Business Symposium Saturday to help local creators transition their artistic passions into successful entrepreneurial ventures.
Art Round Tennessee Executive Director Janis Nunnally said the organization created the symposium after noticing local creators successfully selling their work at community events but struggling to turn those sales into a sustainable career. Nunnally said the half-day conference brings in specialized speakers to teach attendees about marketing, tax preparation, and time management.
“Our mission is to take to be there support for artists in our community and this is a big thing we see ’em when they come to the Art Prowl and our First Fridays and they’re selling their stuff and all that,” Nunnally said. “But they’re making money and they’re trying to figure out how to make it their job. And so it was just naturally something that we evolved into.”
Nunnally said the event features four main speakers, including a certified public accountant and a marketing consultant, who will provide practical advice on structuring a business. The symposium also includes a session on balancing work and well-being, followed by a panel featuring two local business owners who will share their personal progression in the industry.
“I think a lot of it is time management and how to to take care of your life along with your job and it kind of flows together and how do you get yourself, your name out there so people will actually see your artwork?” Nunnally said. “I think those are two big things.”
Nunnally said the gathering serves as a networking source where upcoming artists can connect with experienced professionals and peers to find necessary information. Attendees will have dedicated break times to ask questions and discuss shared experiences.
“Well it’s a great networking source,” Nunnally said. “They can talk to, you know, upcoming artists who will be in the participating in the audience with them and then they get a time to to talk to these people who have information they need. And it’s just a good place to find who to talk to and who they went through.”
Nunnally said the four-and-a-half-hour conference costs $15 for students and Art Round Tennessee members, while general admission is $30. The organization uses events like this to promote local artwork and provide a good investment of time for creators looking to expand their reach.
“I hope they feel more confident and excited about pursuing art as a business and to and also to keep their creativity as they’re doing it,” Nunnally said. “I hope they just feel uplifted and ready to go out there and make more art and sell it.”
The symposium begins at 9am Saturday at the Wesley Theater near Tennessee Tech.