Artist Retreat
May 30-31, 2009
Greenville, S.C. at The Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
This weekend-long event included sessions to help South Carolina artists in their artistic practice, in their personal lives, in their communities and in their businesses. There were also many opportunities to network with their fellow artists from around the state.
A few logistical details about the event:
- Registration fee – $40
- Capacity – Registration was limited to 200 South Carolina artists.
- Housing – Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville. The hotel is conveniently located less than a mile from the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities where all retreat activities will take place.
- Meals – Lunch was provided and covered by the registration fee for both Saturday and Sunday.
- Dress – Casual
Agenda for the weekend
Saturday, May 30
Morning
- Registration and tours of the S.C. Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
- The story of Artist Trust – Founded in 1987 by a group of arts patrons and artists who were concerned about the lack of support for individual artists, Artist Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting Washington State artists working in all creative disciplines. Executive Director Fidelma McGinn shared the organization's experience with participants who were possibly about to begin similar journies.
- Break-out sessions with discipline or regional collectives – Artists spent time getting to know the cooperative ventures underway in their geographic community or discipline.
12:00
- Lunch and Pecha Kucha – Pecha Kucha is a brand new idea! Japanese for “the sound of conversation,” Pecha Kucha events allow creative folks 6 minutes, 40 seconds, and 20 slides to share their idea, their work, a story, or any old thing they care to talk about. Lunch shift and Pecha Kucha events ran concurrently in separate spaces.
Afternoon/Evening
- Choose your own adventure – Cool activities with cool people.
- Connecting with community discussion – Artists who have strengthened their careers by nurturing relationships with their various communities shared their experience and expertise.
- Dinner parties at local restaurants with all the fantastic people they met.
- Artist Exchange – During Pecha Kucha’s older, more experienced cousin, a handful of artists in attendance shared their work.
Sunday, May 31
Morning
- Personal development and creative growth interactive session – It's possible to be both an entrepreneur and an artist. Andrew Simonet, founder and director of Artists U in Philadelphia, shared practical advice for nurturing one's creative self while increasing their business acumen.
12:00
- Lunch and Pecha Kucha
Afternoon
- Introduction to the business development programs a discussion with artist entrepreneurs in South Carolina.
- Master classes - Classed were based on registrant input.