Join a lively panel discussion when creative-services professionals explore the business aspects of making a decent living in our community at the next Rapid Growth Media's Not Your Average Speaker Series Wednesday evening, June 16.
"Good Business is the Best Art" will feature six West Michigan creative professionals who will discuss the value of being creative, the risks and consequences of donating creative services, the downside of evading taxes, the prospects for a Grand Rapids Artists' Guild, the reasons why creative individuals are frequently asked to donate their services, the impact of ArtPrize on the creative community, and how the creative community might agree to certain business guidelines.
"Grand Rapids clearly embraces creative professionals" but too often their work is undervalued, says Erin Wilson, executive director of Wealthy Theatre and founder of an advocacy group called ArtPeers. "There's a general notion that you can ask a creative professional to do something for free, but you wouldn't ask a plumber to work for free or a teacher," he says. "They (creative professionals) still have to pay rent. This discussion will be a way for people to explore the possible consequences of undervaluing these professionals."
Besides Wilson, other panelists will include Laura Caprara, graphic designer and co-founder of Grand Rapids Social Diary; Brian Kelly, photographer, Brian Kelly Photography and Rapid Growth Media; George Wietor, media specialist at The Rapidian, co-founder of G-RAD blogging community, and board member of Division Avenue Arts Collective; Corey Ruffin, musician with End Times Orchestra and the performer playing Mr. Happy Pants of the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Show; and Tommy Allen, entertainment columnist, Rapid Growth Media
The Speaker Series event will be moderated by Jenn Schaub, coordinator of Avenue for the Arts Market, a popular artisan art sale in downtown Grand Rapids.
The Speaker Series event will also feature a three-minute multimedia presentation put together by photographer Terry Johnston, showing West Michigan creative professionals who have donated their services. Individuals interested in being part of the slideshow are encouraged to visit Terry Johnston's Events page on Facebook.
The Speaker Series event runs from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. Admission, food and beverages are free, compliments of Rapid Growth Media. Doors open at 5 p.m. for networking opportunities.
The event is produced by Rapid Growth Media and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, in partnership with Community Media Center's Wealthy Theatre. It will be streamed online at the Grand Rapids Community Media Center's website.
To RSVP, please visit the Facebook event page here.
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