Artist Workshops

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission is sponsoring a workshop series for creative individuals and organizations in partnership with The Movement and Springboard for the Arts. 

Career Planning, June 12, 2023. 6:00-8:30pm

Where do you want to be both artistically and professionally? Learn how to define your values, identify key choices and develop a plan to achieve your career goals. This workshop is led by Dana Sikkila. Each of the workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required. You may register for this virtual only June 12th workshop here.

Dana Sikkila is a Minnesota-based interdisciplinary maker and creator. At just 36 years old, Sikkila has been named one of the most well-known creative leaders of Southern Minnesota. Known for her social practice and activism programs, creative consulting, public speaking, and her theory development within creative curriculum, Sikkila's practices span from working in communities from rural to the Twin Cities. Her self-defining administration style has bridged the gap between arts creation and administration. Developing numerous grassroots cultural projects and exhibitions throughout the state. Visit her website at  danasikkila.com and read more about Dana on Creative Exchange.

Marketing, July 17, 2023. 6:00-8:30pm

Define your product, discover your target audience, make decisions about how you sell your work, and identify a budget and strategy for your artistic business. Each of the workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required. More about this workshop will be announced soon. 

Artists Working with the Community, August 21, 2023. 6:00-8:30pm

Use your creative skills to address community issues and opportunities! Whether you are an artist who already works in community or who wants to start, this workshop will introduce you to methods to clarify your own goals, techniques to ensure successful outcomes for you and your community collaborators, and how to reach out to community organizations and businesses to expand your artistic practice and income sources. Each of the workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required. More about this workshop will be announced soon. 

Panel: Funding, September 18, 2023. 6:00-8:30pm

Learn about navigating the funding landscape and hear from members of the arts community, experienced both in granting organizations and as independent artists. Each of the workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required. More about this workshop will be announced soon. 

Pricing, October 2, 2023. 6:00-8:30pm

Learn about the factors of product production to establish a starting point for pricing your work, as well as the psychological aspects of pricing. This analytical approach isn’t intended to be the only way to price your work. Once you understand what each of the variables are you’ll be able to customize a formula that fits your business model. Each of the workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required. More about this workshop will be announced soon.