Have you heard of the EDGE program? It’s a local curriculum, developed by Artist Trust for Washington State artists, to help their professional development and business skills. All around me, I’ve seen fellow artists take it, talk about it, and urge me to take it too. I did finally sign up for the Winter 2016 class at Edmonds Community College. But I had a hard time finding out enough information to decide whether it was for me. If you’re in the same boat, maybe this will help.

Want To Expand Your Network?

One of the main benefits I heard people talk about was how the group they took EDGE with grew to be their ongoing support group, for sharing opportunities, feedback, and encouragement. I’d just found a small art support group so I wasn’t sure this was a big pull for me. Turns out you can have more than one support group, and it’s even better if they’re outside your local area, because they pull in even more ideas. We had a lovely cohort with several photographers, a few graphic designers, a wide range of artistic experience, and a new set of connections from North Seattle. You also get a chance to connect with instructors and guest lecturers, often fellow artists themselves.

Need Help with weaknesses?

Nobody quite phrased it like this, but there’s nothing like a structured class to get you to focus on whatever weakness you’ve been putting off developing. For me, that’s public speaking — explaining my art to an audience is a key skill and one I usually bump to the bottom of the list. The class throws you into it right away, with a presentation of your work due on the FIRST day, and a final, hopefully polished version of the talk on graduation night.  Other group members were able to work on image preparation, uncover the math skills needed to track a business, and expand their social media presence.

Want to BUILD YOUR BUSINESS?

In between the first and final presentations, the class touches on every aspect of a creative business: printed presentations, artist’s statement, grant writing, record-keeping and inventory, pricing, business plans, marketing, and goal setting.  For anyone starting out, this is a great overview of what it will take to launch. For those of us a few years in, it’s a great opportunity to revisit any or all of those areas and bump them up a notch or three. I was able to finish rebranding and upgrading my web site, add a third-person biography, expand my resume that I’d edited down too much, and prepare a printed portfolio of my work, thanks to feedback from the group.  My skeleton business plan is now filled out, and I have an inspiring vision that reaches ten years out.

Maybe not for you?

This program is not for everyone: it can be very intimidating if you are just starting to think about your creative business. There is a lot to take in, maybe too much. Similarly, if you’ve already found your way on your own for the last decade or more, you might be fine. Lots of this information is available on the internet for the looking. Another caveat: technology has changed a lot since the program started in 2000, and the materials are getting quite outdated. Nothing a good class discussion can’t handle, but good to know ahead of time.

I also wasn’t sure I could sit still for a day, let alone for a week, or stay in town for 2 months. The material and speakers need to be engaging.  This video convinced me I’d be in good hands. It features Meredith Arnold and Marianne Legg, the EDGE and continuing education coordinators respectively,  who were convincing and great support throughout the process.

Still Sound Good?

There have been two versions of the EDGE program running: an intensive week in the fall, run by Artist Trust, and a spread-out version, taught for 8 Saturdays in the winter at Edmonds Community College, the one I chose. If you’re interested, the next session will be at Centrum in Port Townsend this September. Artist Trust is accepting applications through May 23, 2016: apply here! Otherwise, keep an eye on Community Education  classes at Edmonds Community College  and spread the word.