Education
From the office
If you wish to register for any NSDCC workshops, please phone 902-423-3837 for more information. Please have your credit card number on hand to secure your place in the workshop, as we require full payment in advance of the workshops.
Visual Arts Nova Scotia and NSDCC have a reciprocal agreement to offer workshops to each membership at membership rates, e.g. NSDCC members can take VANS workshops at VANS membership rates, and vice versa. This could result in a savings of $15-20, depending on the price of the workshop being offered.
February 21, 2009
Web Design, Development and
Social Media Marketing
Workshop with Jeff White,
founder and
owner of
brightwhite design.
workshop fee: members $75 non-members $90
A full day of good ideas, exercises, information and sources. Jeff will conduct a workshop intended for craftspeople wishing to create and/or expand an Internet presence, and to improve the presentation of their work and brand through better online marketing and communication.
Location for Workshop: NSDCC, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax
Web Design, Development and Social Media Marketing will address such topics as:
- How to make the most of your website;
- Creating online promotional materials;
- Joining and contributing to internet communities and social media platforms such as Facebook, Etsy, Ning, Twitter and many more
- How to maximize the “story” of your work in order to attract and retain online customers;
- Unique techniques and materials of your product;
- Consistent communication with customers;
Blogging and increasing your online and personal brand
…And how to get and keep media attention.
Jeff White is already renowned among some of our members for his excellent presentation in the winter of 2008. Brightwhite Design is one of Halifax’s premiere boutique design companies and one of the only firms to specialize in Web-Standards based design and development. Jeff White has lectured on standards and new media at several local conferences and events.
BOOST YOUR BUSINESS !!
Three sessions full of good ideas, hands-on exercises, information and sources with Jeffrey Cowling.
Fee per session: members $75 non-members $90
Location for all sessions: NSDCC, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax
SESSION 1
Good Booth Design for Retail & Wholesale
Saturday, March 7, 2009 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Member $75 non-member $90
This component will address such topics as:
- Lighting for impact - how to display with pizzazz
- Shelves that work for your product - options you need to know
- Alternate materials for walls & risers - affordable options
- Legible high impact signage
- Cash/sales area of your booth - be ready and organized
- Set-up and tear down - surviving with a smile
- Shipping/receiving and crating - why the anxiety?
- Fire regulations - know what’s expected of you
Good booth design and product presentation are critical components in successfully selling product at wholesale and retail trade shows in both export and domestic markets.
SESSION 2
New Product Design and Development
Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Member $75 non-member $90
This component will address such topics as:
- The changed economy - what to do
- Developing new products from existing lines – keep it simple
- Realistic production capabilities – what’s in your studio?
- Designing product for retail and wholesale markets
- Fashions and trends
- What is a designer/maker? – valuing your talent
New product design and development are critical for any crafts business wishing to maintain and expand its share of the marketplace, in both domestic and export markets.
SESSION 3
Marketing Yourself
Promotion for Artists and Craftspersons
Saturday, March 21, 2009 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Member $75 non-member $90
This component will address such topics as:
- How to get and keep media attention - they need you.
- Communication with customers - what they need to hear from you
- Promotional materials such as media packages - what are they?
- Emphasize the unique qualities and materials of your product
- Closing the sale - overcoming buyer apprehensions
Good communication, promotion and product presentation are critical components in successfully selling one’s brand and product at wholesale and retail trade shows in both export and domestic markets.
Here are some remarks from the 2008 workshop participants:
This series of workshops has been exactly what I needed to re evaluate the direction of my business after 30 years of work. I now have some new tools to use to direct me to a new place
that I hope will be very successful and fulfilling.
Tim Worthington, Birdsall-Worthington Pottery
Thank you for a well-prepared and straight forward introduction to online marketing. I left with lots of information for after-workshop research.
Judy Amirault, Amirault Photography
This opened me up to possibilities for my business and my art work.
Pam Swainson, visual artist
This was a fast-moving and agile workshop; it gave us the details needed to start navigating the Internet.
Anon.
I learned so much – after 25 years in business, I’ve learned a lot of new things. My eyes are opened!
Valerie Hearder, textile artist - African Threads
NSCCD New Courses in the New Year!
The Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design Winter 2008 Courses and Workshops brochure is now available. We offer a wide range of courses taught by professional artists in glass, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, book arts and woodworking.
Call (902) 492-2524, check out the website www.craft-design.ns.ca, or drop by the studios at 1096 Marginal Road. Don’t forget, our studios are also available for rent to people who have taken a course with us or have qualifications for safe studio practice.
New in January: torch rentals for glass flame working.
For further information, contact: Catherine Allen, Studio Coordinator at 902-492-2524 or email catherine@craft-design.ns.ca.
Youth Chicago Trade Initiative
Are you a young entrepreneur, 35 years old or younger, who might be interested in participating in a trade mission to Chicago? If so, the World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada (WTCAC), in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is offering a support program for young entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada who have potential export-related products and/or services. For more information on the objectives and goals of the program along with registration details, please contact Michael Young at the ACWTC, 902-421-1302 ext. 237 or email michael@wtcac.com.
Schools & Series
PEI School of the Arts
An exciting selection of July one-week workshops has been posted on the PEI School of the Arts website and registration is now being accepted. The summer sessions will include acrylic painting, mosaic glassworks, watercolour, mosaic tiles, writing, choral singing, Raku pottery, felt sculpture, rug hooking pictorials, basket making, jewelry and painted canvas floorcloths. Visit the site to see what "creative get away" will appeal to you!
http://www.peischoolofthearts.com.
Lunenburg Crafts School
The 2007 schedule for the Lunenburg Crafts School is now available online with new classes and reduced fees.
For more information, please visit http://www.lunenburgcraftschool.com.
Ongoing
Turnstile Pottery Cooperative
- Figure Sculpting Club: with live model. An informal chance to practice sculpting skills. Drop in. General public welcome. Every Tues 8 – 9 pm, $10 drop in, $7 for illustrators. Includes clay materials and firing, No instruction provided.
- Studio Drop In. An informal chance to try out pottery or work on your own independent projects. General public welcome. Every Thurs 7:30 – 9 pm. $15 drop-in fee. No registration required. Includes clay materials and firing. Minimal instruction provided.
- Private parties. $15 /adult or $10 /child, 1 1/2 hours, 6 person minimum, clay supplies and instruction included.
- Private Lessons. At your convienience for $20/hr. Contact: Wendy Shirran, 422-4141; Peter Macarron, 222-2748; Lisa-Marie Campbell, 444-0484. Private classes may be arranged for students who can not attend the scheduled classes, and people who have a specific project in mind, or a set point of interest.
Info: 431-clay (2529), turnstile_potteryclasses@yahoo.com, www.turnstilepottery.com.
Arts & Cultural Management Program
Do you want a career that will allow you to combine your passion for the arts with your business sense and need to make a difference? Grant MacEwan College's dynamic and unique Arts and Cultural Management Program has been the answer for hundreds of grads over the past 25 years who share your passion and business flare. In just ten months, you'll study the following: Advocacy and Lobbying, Marketing Principles and Research in the Arts, Financial Management for the Arts, Computer Applications in the Arts, Communications, Museum/Gallery Management, Fundraising and Grants, plus much more! You can earn your certificate on-line, or through classroom study. Attend full-time or part-time; the choice is yours! Info Alana, (780) 497-4408 or broomfielda@macewan.ca. Grant MacEwan College, Centre of the Arts, Edmonton.
Fleming College’s Haliburton School of the Arts, ON
A forerunner in art and craft education, the school provides an opportunity to pursue studies in a range of media. Info: www.haliburtonschoolofthearts.ca, (866) 353-6464.
Apprenticeship Program, Vetrate Artistiche Toscane
Vetrate Artistiche Toscane is a company based in Siena (Italy ) which specialises in the creation of stained, painted and fused glass. We are offering apprenticeships lasting two months (Jan - Feb; March - April; July - Aug; Nov - Dec) and two lasting one month (May and Oct). Although the scheme is of particular benefit to the beginner and intermediate; advanced and professional glass artists have found the apprenticeship to be useful to enhance their skills and exchange ideas. We help in finding accommodation. English is spoken in the studio. Intensive hands-on course also available. Info: Vetrate Artistiche Toscane, Via della Galluzza, 5, 53100 Siena ( Italy ), edu@glassisland.com ,
Kingross Quilts and Fibre Arts
Anne Morrell Robinson is now offering a wide variety of classes and workshops in her newly constructed studio. The studio is located at 4259 Big Intervale Road , Margaree Valley.
Info: (902) 248-2466 or kingross@ns.sympatico.ca, www.kingrossquilts.com/.
