In addition, we’ve got new keyboards, electric guitars, and awesome stocking stuffers! Stop by and get a head start on your holiday shopping!

Art Professionals to Offer Business Services for ND Artists
“Helping Artists with The Business of Art”

Emerging and established artists looking for additional business help can receive specialized instruction through a series of seminars held in Fargo at the Marketplace of Ideas held Sept. 27-28, 2010 at the Fargodome. This event is geared for visual artists of all mediums. Classes will provide steps artisans can take to pose themselves for increased sales and business success.

The series of training and support services specifically for artists is presented through a cooperative initiative called Art Up. “We are excited and eager to help artists with professional business services designed for art-based businesses,” stated Wendy Klug, ND Small Business Development Center Business Consultant. “We are here to offer seminars that will help beginning artisans as well as those established artists looking to fine tune their business strategies. This training will provide information on how to start a business, how to reach new clientele, how to improve sales, and other art business specific topics. Art Up is a program designed to help each artisan work on their specific needs and goals.” Registration for the seminars can be done on-line at www.marketplaceofideas.org.

Art Up includes one large training event followed by several mini seminars through the next 12 months. The training, led by artists sanctioned by the Art Approach, takes artists through a variety of seminars that will help artisans develop a better understanding of how “The Business of Art” works. Seminars will focus on a variety of topics including Display and Merchandising Techniques, Defining and Reaching Your Target Market, and Business Basics for the Professional Artist. Booths will also be available for artisans to set up and sell their artwork. Through the Art Approach, Nancy Markoe and Wendy Outland will look over the displays and give advice on how to have effective merchandising and eye-popping displays. This time will allow each artist to get feed back from experienced professional on merchandising and display appeal for your customers.

“North Dakota has very talented artists who deserve a wider customer base, and assistance specialized to their industry. The Art Up initiative is one way we can help the arts community grow,” says Wendy Klug. “As a business consultant and an artist myself, I understand the importance of tailoring each artists needs to their specific goals. I want to be able to provide artists, whether they are emerging or established, access to new venues and web based outlets which can help them see greater sales. I want to be there to support each artist and their business.“

To sign up for booth rentals and to register for seminars, go to:
Seminar Registration:     http://www.marketplaceofideas.org/
Booth Registration:         http://tinyurl.com/registermaketplace

Art Up is looking to hear and see what artists around the state of North Dakota are doing. Those interested in a specific topic or would like to learn more about a specific aspect of the arts business can contact Wendy Klug at wendy@ndsbdc.org.

Carnival hours:

Thursday     -     5 pm – 12 am
Friday           -     1 pm – 12 am
Saturday      -     1 pm – 12 am
Sunday         -     12 pm – 5 pm

A quick reminder to catch Dickinson’s Got Talent Finale! It takes place today at 6:00 pm at Trinity High School. Doors open at 5:30. $10/ticket. You can purchase tickets at Trinity at 4PM. [We were selling them in the store but they were taken up to the school.]

*We are now dealers of TML brands (AXL, Johnson, Lucida Guitars, VHT amps)
*Boss/Roland – you’ve heard of the pedals and the legendary JC-120 guitar amp! Roland also makes the amazing new CUBE amps! We now are officially dealers!

As for Jon, he is now away on his honeymoon. I’ve requested an “on-location” video, but we’ll see what happens!