Through all of its programs, the NCEC seeks to inspire students and community entrepreneurs, educate them through new kinds of learning and innovative programs outside the classroom, connect them with successful entrepreneurs and professionals, and through all of this, create new opportunities, businesses and jobs. One of the focus areas for the NCEC is creative industries. The Southern Entrepreneurship in the Arts Conference is the NCEC’s primary annual outreach effort in that area.
Many visual, performing and literary artists struggle to make a career out of doing what they love. Often, the missing ingredient is an understanding of simple business practices that can help the artist better promote, manage and finance his or her efforts. Students in particular, both college and high school, need to be made aware of opportunities to create sustainable careers as arts entrepreneurs. The arts are also a key ingredient of creating vibrant communities where people want to live and establish businesses and community leaders recognize the importance of this critical piece in economic development.
The Southern Entrepreneurship in the Arts Conference fills a major void in helping visual, performing, and literary artists learn how to better create sustainable income through self-employment and creativity oriented businesses. Attendees include students and community members from a multi-state area. In total, more than 400 individuals have participated in the SEAC conference over the past two years. Each year, more than 20 speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds have shared their expertise and experience with attendees. The keynote speaker this year will be nationally acclaimed visual artist Beverly McIver.
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