Cherokee Nation News Release (918) 453-5378 FAX (918) 458-6181 Cherokee Nation Director of Communications@cherokee.org © Cherokee Nation - All Rights Reserved October 29, 2009

Cherokee Nation to Host Business Workshop for Native Artists

Cherokee Nation to Host Business Workshop for Native Artists

Native American artists who want to learn about the business side of art will have a great opportunity to do so this November when the Cherokee Nation hosts Art Marketing and Professional Development: A Comprehensive Training Session for Native Artist Entrepreneurs on Nov. 13 -14, at the Best Western Motel in Locust Grove.
     The workshop will be presented by Theresa Secord and Ben Sherman of the First Peoples Fund, a South Dakota-based resource group for Native American artists. The goal of the workshop is to help Native artist entrepreneurs become well grounded in basic business skills that they can use to work with their clients and their own environment and values. Participants will also learn about available tools and support necessary to manage small entrepreneurial businesses to achieve economic success.
     Donna Tinnin, with the tribe’s Tourism Development and Planning office, said she feels that area artists will benefit greatly from what Secord and Sherman have to present.
     “The trainers that are coming travel the world to train and assist Native American artists in developing their art in to a full time business,” said Tinnin.
     A series of self-assessment tools will be used during the workshop to help participants determine where they are in terms of their art marketing, business and financial management skills. The workshop will also teach participants about planning and budgeting tools.  Intensive pricing and marketing sessions will be included, along with a sample business plan and a variety of resources.
     On Friday, Nov. 13, the workshop will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 14, it will continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants must be a citizen of a federally-recognized Indian tribe. There is no cost to attend and all materials will be provided, but space is limited. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by Nov. 9.
Sponsors of the workshop include the Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center and First Nations Oweesta Corporation.
     To register or for more information, please contact Tinnin at (918) 453-5728.