Programs

OFFERINGS FOR THE ARTS COMMUNITY

The Arts & Business Council connects artists and arts organizations with the services, skills and opportunities they need to thrive from their creative endeavors.

SERVICES

The Arts & Business Council provides the following free services to artists and arts organizations through the Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts (VLPA) program:

Legal services for artists and arts organizations, including:

  • Drafting and reviewing contracts
  • Protecting your work with copyright and trademark
  • Resolving arts-related disputes
  • Nonprofit formation

Plus, VLPA connects arts organizations with annual budgets of $1,000,000 or less with skilled professional volunteers in these areas:

Accounting/Finance – whether setting up accounting and payroll systems, evaluating cash flow management, or budgeting and planning, our skilled volunteer accountants are here to help.

Computers & Information Technology – our IT volunteers conduct a needs assessment and work with you to address specific problems and improve your organization’s technology systems.

HR/Personnel – these volunteers can help your organization evaluate and develop personnel, consult on hiring and firing best practices as well as staff and board evaluation tools.

In addition to direct services, ABC has compiled a directory of helpful Legal & Business Resources for the arts community.

We exist to serve artists—in fact, we have worked with over 1,000 artists and 300 arts nonprofits in the past five years!  Even if you don’t see your need listed or aren’t sure whether you qualify, give us a call. We are here to help.

SKILLS

The Arts & Business Council educates individual artists, creative professionals and arts nonprofits to help them master the business of art.  Upcoming programs include:

Monthly Seminars: Mastering the Business of Arts
Intensive training:
  • Professional Development for artists with the Creative Capital Weekend Workshop on strategic planning, self-management, fundraising and promotion.
  • Professional Development  for arts nonprofit organizations with the Accidental Arts Administrator Workshop

Register for upcoming seminars now or join the ABC mailing list for updates.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Arts & Business Council fosters direct collaboration between arts and business. Opportunities for artists and arts organizations include:

  • Bowtie Awards – recognizing outstanding business support of the arts through an annual awards luncheon celebrating business partnerships with the arts community.
  • Hands on Nashville – partnering with Hands on Nashville to increase awareness and attendance for arts volunteer opportunities.
  • ABC Untied –inviting developing arts and business professionals to connect while exploring and investing in Nashville’s thriving culture scene.
  • Pop Up Art – transforming vacant business space into arts exhibit space through partnerships with the Nashville’s business community.
  • WorkCreative – creating opportunity for businesses to surface creativity through high-quality arts-based learning programs.

Programs are the cornerstone of our work at ABC. They represent our continued investment in the artists, arts organizations and businesses that make Nashville so unique.