Register for VANS’ Fall Workshops Today!

Registration has begun and some workshops are already filling up! This series includes some of our most requested workshops like Documenting Your Work and Grant Writing, along with new offerings like WORK IT! WORK IT! Boot Camp for Artists. Our instructors are professional artists, educators, and writers so you can be sure they know their stuff.

As this is our 40th Anniversary, workshops are $40 for everyone. You can also bundle 2 workshops for $70 or 3 for $100.

Please register today by calling 902-423-4694 (or toll free 866-225-8267) or register online securely using a credit card or PayPal.

INFO SESSIONS

All info sessions are free and you can ask experts lots of questions.

Copyright and Social Media Issues for Artists
with the Artists’ Legal Information Society (ALIS)

Wednesday, October 11, 6 – 7pm (we need more RSVPs for this to run)
Halifax: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road

Do you have questions about copyright, including how it applies to artwork on social media? We all do. It’s a confusing legal subject, so why don’t you ask a legal expert? Join a lawyer from the Artists’ Legal Information Society in a session about copyright, including copyright online and the risks of featuring your artwork on websites and social media. Questions are welcome! RSVP to this info session by emailing VANS before October 9.

*Donations for the Artists’ Legal Information Society will be collected at the door

Becoming a PAINTS Artist
with Andrea Ritchie, PAINTS Coordinator

Monday, October 16, 5:40pm
Wednesday, October 18, 5:40pm
Saturday, November 4, 12:40pm
Halifax: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road

Join us as Andrea Ritchie answers your questions about the Professional Artists in the Schools (PAINTS) program. If you are interested in becoming a PAINTS artist and teaching art workshops in schools then drop by for a short, free info session at Visual Arts Nova Scotia. No need to RSVP.

WORKSHOPS

DOCUMENTING YOUR WORK

How do you show the world your work, on your website, in your portfolio, and when applying for grants? This workshop will show artists how to photograph 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional work using a digital camera, along with a variety of lighting methods including professional and household lighting. Artists will learn to develop techniques to professionally document their work using readily available equipment, from around the studio or in the home. The workshop will also provide basic instruction on how to download images from camera to computer, and how to resize images for web applications.
Instructor: Steve Farmer

Monday, October 16, 6 – 9pm
Halifax: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Rd
Registration Deadline: October 11

GRANT WRITING

This workshop focuses on writing a convincing project description for Arts Nova Scotia and Canada Council creation grants as well as other applications. The instructor will discuss how to position yourself and your practice in a way that supports your proposal and what jury members look for when reviewing submissions, as well as navigating the new Canada Council portal. The workshop will not cover aspects such as CVs or artist statements, and does not guarantee success, but aims to improve grant and proposal writing skills.
Instructor: Becka Barker

Wednesday, October 18, 6 – 9pm (this one is filling up quickly!)
Halifax: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road
Registration Deadline: October 11

Saturday, October 21, 1 – 4pm
Bridgewater: Art Happening Bridgewater, 757 King Street
Registration Deadline: October 13

 

PRICING YOUR WORK

How much should you be paid for your work? What price is the “right price”? How do you put a price tag on your work without second guessing yourself? In this workshop, you will learn how to calculate prices from a business perspective, and how labour and materials are just one part of the picture. We will explore the factors that affect pricing: where you fit into the marketplace, your target customer, as well as where, and how, you sell your work. There will also be a brief discussion about other types of artist income, such as teaching, and how to deal with inevitable requests to work for little or nothing — and how some of those opportunities can work to your advantage.
Instructor: Stacey Cornelius

Wednesday, October 25, 6 – 9pm (still a few spots left)
Halifax: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road
Registration Deadline: October 20

(We had to cancel the Annapolis Royal session due to low registration)

DOs AND DON’Ts OF EXHIBITION PROPOSALS

This workshop will include examining calls for submissions from public galleries and artist run centres to identify and decipher application criteria. Participants will learn how to research galleries to see where they might best apply. This workshop will address formatting and content for resumes, artist statements, cover letters, letters of intent, and tips for choosing support material, including image files, size, and quantity. Participants are encouraged to bring their proposals in progress for review and feedback. Questions are encouraged!
Instructor: Dr. Laurie Dalton

Saturday, October 28, 11am – 2pm
Halifax: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road
Registration Deadline: October 23

TALKING ABOUT YOUR WORK: NETWORKING IN THE ARTS

When asked what you make, do you get tongue tied and nervous? Maybe you try to avoid talking about your work altogether. Do you hesitate when contacting a gallery about an exhibition, or fear approaching a gallerist about representing your work? In this workshop you’ll learn how to discuss your work with confidence and how to use these skills to create your own opportunities. A professional artist is recognized by their peers; learn how to build your networks and gain recognition for your work in the broader arts community.
Instructor: Sarah Maloney

Saturday, October 28, 1 – 4pm
Bridgewater: Art Happening Bridgewater, 757 King Street
Registration Deadline: October 20

Saturday, November 4, 1 – 4pm
Halifax: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road
Registration Deadline: October 30

WORK IT! WORK IT! BOOTCAMP FOR ARTISTS
A 2 day intensive professional development boot camp for artists in Sydney

In association with Lumière Arts Festival, VANS presents this 2 day intensive workshop designed to help artists with various aspects of their professional practice. Instructed by curator, educator and coordinator of arts organizations and arts festivals Becka Viau, all sessions will be held at the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation, 37 Nepean Street in Sydney, NS. Sessions are $25 each or $60 for all three! You can sign up for one, two or three sessions, but if you bundle them you save. Register today and get ready to Work It!

Part 1 – WORK IT! WORK IT!
Saturday, November 4, 10am – 1pm
The first part of this workshop will focus on how and where to apply for artist opportunities such as exhibitions, festivals, residencies and curatorial projects. It will also briefly discuss strategies for networking and marketing/promoting one’s artwork.

Part 2 – WORK IT! WORK IT!
Saturday, November 4, 2 – 5pm
The second part of this workshop will focus on proposal and application writing for exhibitions, residencies and art festivals, as well as writing artist statements.

Part 3 – WORK IT! WORK IT!
Sunday, November 5, 10am – 12pm (workshop) & 12 – 1pm (1:1 Meetings)
The final and third part of this workshop will look at where and how to get grants and funding to support art works and artistic practice. It will also include an optional one-on-one meeting with the workshop instructor.

Registration Deadline: October 27

Please register today by calling 902-423-4694 (or toll free 866-225-8267) or register online securely using a credit card or PayPal.