Five organizations have come together to assist key contributors to Wisconsin's creative economy-those creative entrepreneurs known as artists. The Madison Arts Commission and the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, in partnership with workshop sponsors the Wisconsin Arts Board and Arts Wisconsin, and presenter Springboard for the Arts, will offer an interactive workshop on the "WORK of Art," on Friday evening, February 15 there will be an evening reception and overview of the workshop at Park Bank Capital Location and on Saturday, February 16 full day sessions will be held at the Visitor Center of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.

The "WORK of Art" workshop - one of nine scheduled throughout the state from September 2007 through April 2008 -- will provide Wisconsin arts entrepreneurs with some of the key business skills they need to turn their art form into viable businesses and family-supporting livings. Filled with key information for self-employed creative people who want to make the commitment of time and resources necessary to advance their artistic careers, the workshop series is made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wisconsin Arts Board.

The format of the workshop is informal and accessible, yet packed with useful, practical information and plenty of opportunities for networking and exploring. The session from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm on Friday includes an evening reception (courtesy of Park Bank), informational meeting and review of the next day's activities, proceeding to a full day on Saturday with sessions from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, on Marketing for Artists and Simple Business Plans for Artists and a third session on a topic of interest to be chosen by the workshop participants.

"The arts and artists are part of the central nervous system of Wisconsin's economy," said George Tzougros, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Arts Board. "As with any business cluster, our small businesspeople - visual artists, filmmakers, writers, musicians, dancers, theater and interdisciplinary artists - provide the foundation for the growth of the entire creative industry. The Wisconsin Arts Board is delighted to work with partners Arts Wisconsin and Springboard for the Arts to foster the careers of Wisconsin's artists and to enhance the creative industry's contribution to Wisconsin's economic growth. We applaud the Challenge America program of the National Endowment for the Arts for its support to make the workshops affordable and accessible to Wisconsin's artist-entrepreneurs."

"Arts Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Arts Board have been able to help numerous Wisconsin artists become more successful as business people, while they nurture the creative spirit that called them to this profession in the first place" says Anne Katz, executive director of Arts Wisconsin.

The fee for the workshop in Madison is only $75 - a great bargain for the information and education gained - which includes all sessions, educational materials, Friday night networking reception, and breakfast on Saturday. Saturday lunch is available for an additional $10.

For more workshop details, contact Karin Wolf, MAC or Karen Crossley, DCCAC. For even more information and to register, go to Arts Wisconsin's website: www.artswisconsin.org.

The Madison Arts Commission is a municipal commission that funds artistic activities and initiates cultural programs that integrate, support, and advance arts adn culture as an essential part of life in Madison. www.cityofmadison.com/mac

The Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission was created to foster public participation in local arts and historical activity; to increase public access to the cultural resources of the county; and to forge working alliances between public and private sectors in support of the arts. www.culturalaffairscommission.com

The Wisconsin Arts Board is the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout Wisconsin. Since 1973, the Arts Board has supported artists and arts organizations with funds from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. More information at www.artsboard.wisconsin.gov.

Arts Wisconsin is the state's arts service, advocacy and development organization; the only statewide organization advocating and speaking up for all the arts in Wisconsin, working at the intersection of the arts and culture, civic engagement, educational enhancement, and economic advancement. More information at www.artswisconsin.org.

Springboard for the Arts is a nonprofit service organization whose mission is to provide affordable management information, consulting and training services designed to improve the business competence and confidence of independent artists and cultural organizations in the Upper Midwest. More information at www.springboardforthearts.org.