Key books, Publications, & Resources for individuals and those starting a small business
This section is broken down into Key books, Publications & Resources for individuals and those starting a small business. Artists need to think of themselves as small businesses. Sending out your slides and support materials is equal to a person marketing their business or product. Therefore you should always make sure that the packets you are sending out look professional and that the writing is solid. If one beings to think of themselves as a small business or an entrepreneurs you can beginning to envision new ways to market your work and skills. You could beginning to build a clientele that is not only curators and a gallery owners, but those outside of the art world- local businesses and restaurants to sell your work to or to have shows at. You could do open houses/show of your work at your home or someone elsešs homes to have shows of your work.
If you have web capabilities you could research how to create a web site for yourself and other artists to create an on line co-op (or at least link to other like minded artists). Mailing lists are a must, so make sure at every one of your events you have a sign in book requesting not only mailing addresses but email addresses. Email is the quickest and cheapest way to market what you are doing. Think about joining you local chamber of commerce and if you act like a small business you maybe eligible to join them and utilize their resources (join their group health care insurance plan, mailing lists, etc..).
Also worth checking out is the Massachusetts office of the U.S. Small Business Association and their Small Business Information Centers. There is also SCORE, The Service Corps of Retired Executives that help small businesses. Chances are if you can write a proposal and artist statement you have the basic tools to write the beginnings of a business plan. There are resources, loans, and even grant moneys for start up small businesses. As always the public library is the place to start. And in Boston there is a branch that is dedicated to business. It is a great resource to track down companies not only to sell your work to, but for non art materials to use in your work (ie say you are doing a sculpture and need 1000 light bulbs).
Key reference books & free radio programs to help you learn economic and financial terms/tips from.
The Wall Street Guide to Understanding Money & Investing
Kenneth M. Morris and Alan M. Siegel
©1993 by Light bulb Press, Inc. (under $15)
Also tune into WBUR 90.9 FM (National Public
Radio’s Boston Affiliate) for the following programs: "Market Place"
Mon-Fri at 7-7:30pm and "Sound Money" Sundays Nights at 8-9 pm (eastern
stand time). Also check out NPR’s web page Program Section!! www.npr.org
Books/publications
to at least look at
1.The Nine Steps to Financial Freedom- Orman Practical and spiritual steps
so you can stop worrying
2. One Up on Wall Street and Learn
to Earn - Peter Lynch
How to use what you already know to make money in the market
3. Left-brain Finance for Right-brain People- Monroe
A money guide for the creatively inclined.
4. Money Makeovers- Hayes and Kelly
How women can control their financial destiny
5. Sleeping like a baby- Hudelson
Investing in volatile markets
6. The Warren Buffet Way-
Investment strategies of the "world’s greatest investors"
7.* The Boston Business Journal -a weekly paper
(usually at the public library)
8. The Wall Street Journal - daily paper (usually at the public library)
*great resource for small businesses!
Boston Area Resources
Arts
& Business Council of Greater Boston -
Chances are if you are starting your own business/nonprofit and/or you are
doing your taxes you might want assistance. BVA might be able to help. Massachusetts
Affiliate's number: (617) 570-8346 Please note that currently the MA affiliated
does not help individuals.
Main Branch of the Boston Public Library 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square Telephone: (617) 536-5400 TTY Line: (617) 536-7055 Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 PM Sunday* 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM * Closed Sundays June - September MBTA stop: Green Line Copley station, Orange Line Back Bay station, and various bus lines
Kirstein Business Branch Address: 20 City Hall Avenue, Boston Telephone: (617) 523-0860 Hours: Mondays-Satudays 9 to 5pm
SCORE the Service Corps of Retired Executives is a non-profit association and a resource partner of the US Small Business Administration. More than 12,400 men and women business executives volunteer their time to share their management and technical expertise with present and prospective owners and managers of small businesses.
One-on-One Business Counseling FREE by APPOINTMENT Walk-in service in Boston only Mon-Fri 10 to 2 Boston (617) 565-5591 www.scoreboston.org
Other SCORE centers: Beverly (978) 922-9441 Brockton (508) 587-2673 Cape Cod (508) 775-4884 New Bedford (508) 994-5093 Springfield (413) 785-0314 Worcester (508) 753-2929
Volunteer
Lawyers for the Arts -(MA) (617) 350-7600
VLA provides legal need based assistance for artists, artist run small businesses
and arts organizations.
Your local Chamber of Commerce - is usually very helpful to small businesses and can usually be found by doing a search on the web.
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (617) 227-4500
State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance(617) 973-8692
Also see the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Citizens' Guide to State Services
US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Massachusetts District Office 10 Causeway Street, Room-265 Boston, MA 02222-1093 (617) 565-5590
MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTERS (BIC) 5-14-02 US Small Business Administration Boston District Office 10 Causeway Street, Room 265 Boston, MA 02222-1093 (617) 565-5615
Business Information Center of Cape Cod Cape Cod Community College Learning Resource Center 2240 Iyanough Road West Barnstable MA 02168-1599 (508) 362-2131 voice Ext. 4487
Business Information Center/Bekrsire Enterprises Business Information Center 1 Fern St., Suite 301 Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 448-2755
Lynn Small Business Assistance Center 39 Central Square Lynn, MA 01901 (781) 477-7222 www.lynndevelopment.com
Worcester Business Information Center/ MLK Jr Business Empowerment Center 237 Chandler St. Worcester MA 01609 (508) 363-0303
Metro South Business Assistance Center 60 School Street Brockton MA 02301-4087 (508) 586-0500 ext 225
FOR WOMEN:
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE)
CWE is a not-for-profit educational organization providing courses, workshops,
and assistance securing loans. CWEšs mission is to empower women to become
economically self-sufficient and prosperous through enterprise. CWE provides
financial aid to ensure that their services are affordable for all women.
CWE Boston- 1135 Tremont Street, Suite 480 Roxbury, MA 02120 (617) 536-0700. www.cweonline.org (check out their resource page!)
CWE Worcester Office 50 Elm St. Second Floor, Worcester, MA 01609 508-363-2300 www.cweworcester.org
The Small Business Association Womenšs Business Center: www.onlinewbc.gov
TIPS FOR MARKETING:
ArtsMarketing.org is a project of Arts & Business Council Inc.Ž. Arts & Business Council Inc.,
based in New York City, is the national headquarters of the Arts & Business
Council and Business Volunteers for the Arts national affiliate network, and
operates the National Arts Marketing Project. ArtsMarketing.org is sponsored
by American Express Company.
