Artists win insight into business reality

Monday, 28 September 2009 10:20

Local artists, writers and musicians who won places on a creative business advice scheme to help them make a living from their ‘art’ have given the idea an enthusiastic thumbs up.

More than 20 creative people in Andover and the Test Valley have recently graduated from the mentoring scheme run by Cibas (Creative Industries Business Advice and Services at the University of Portsmouth)

The scheme aimed to improve the enterprise skills of creative people by providing access to established creative professionals and detailed practical advice on developing their businesses. It was supported by Hampshire Economic Partnership, Hampshire County and Test Valley Borough councils.

The 21 winners say the scheme has been overwhelmingly positive and many have said the expertise of Cibas, which specialises in offering support to the creative industries, has been particularly welcome.

Cibas Director Paola Campari-Moss said: “This scheme has helped local creative entrepreneurs focus on how to make a living out of their talents.”

“We treat people individually and understand creative people are often sole traders whose whole lives are lived entirely around their art form. They are all experts in their field but we were able to give them advice and skills in marketing and exhibiting themselves, for example.”

One artist on the scheme said: "Cibas Advisors are in tune with how creative people think, and they have great business sense."

Fine arts photographer, Terry Tucker said the scheme was “both constructive and thought-provoking”.

Textiles artist Sharon Kearley said: “It was a really useful course and has helped completely, not only for information but also to meet other people on the Cibas scheme.”

The guest speaker was Rachel Watykn, a winner of backing on the Dragons’ Den who now runs the Tiny Box Company.

The artists who graduated from the scheme are Mandy Atkinson, Chris Corner, Carolyn Donahue, Bridget Dumper, Ruth Facey, Henry Gray, Steve Harrington-Elsmore, Michael Johnson, Siobhan Jones , Sharon Kearley, Jason Knight, Rhyan Mayes, Lauren Mildenberger, Roma Nichol, Katie Norman, Adriana Palmer, Amy Perkins, Tom Perkins, Lisa Quantrell, Anna Sadlowska and Terry Tucker.