Business in Practice Series - Fundamentals for Creative Entrepreneurs

A day of professional development for artists, makers and creatives in the first stages of getting their business set up. Speakers with deep creative industry experience will share training and advice in marketing, intellectual property, artificial intelligence and the essentials of starting out, and local champions will share on-the-ground case studies to get you inspired.

The day provides plenty of opportunities for learning, peer networking and hands-on activities, featuring a panel conversation led by Artshub’s National Performing Arts Editor, Richard Watts OAM, interviewing local start-up stars. Workshops feature senior practitioners from Designscope and Arts Law. 

For more detail on the speakers, head to the Council webpage.

Book into one, some or all sessions via the ticket link.

10.00am - 12.00pm AND 1.00pm - 3.00pm 
Make your Pitch with Morgan Williams from Designscope

Designed for creatives and makers, this workshop will show you how to develop a short verbal and visual pitch about your work. You will be guided to create simple presentation slides in Canva and get hands-on experiences presenting your work. Morgan is a communication designer, digital mentor, artist, writer, and gallery owner with over 20 years of creative industry experience.
*You will need a laptop or tablet, and five images of your work for this session. Wifi will be available. Please contact us if we can help you access a computer for this session.

3.30pm - 4.30pm
Intellectual Property and AI with Louise Buckingham, CEO, Arts Law Australia

Hear from one of Australia’s leading copyright experts about protecting your intellectual property as you start out. Louise will outline the basics of protecting your creative ideas and provide the low-down on the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence to make or promote your work.  

4.45pm - 5.45pm
Foundations to Flourish: Legal, Finance & Compliance

Do you need a permit to work from your home or shed? At what point does a hobby become a taxable business? What happens if you don't have insurance? This session answers the critical questions that often trip up makers transitioning from creative pastime into a money‑making practice. Designed as an essential startup business overview, our panel will flag the common "red flags" in legal contracts, explain the Council approval process for home-based workshops, and outline the financial basics required to sustain a creative career.

Image: John Wellington, Kerry Anderson, Scott MacRae, Georgina Johnston

6.00pm - 7.30pm
From Idea to Actuality – Creative Enterprise in Practice Panel Session

Artshub Editor Richard Watts OAM in conversation with local champions who have started their own creative enterprises and are making it work. Explore the key ingredients of a creative business in practice with:
Bonny Cassidy creative writing mentor and facilitator, one year in to sole trader life;
Fred Farquar independent photographer and filmmaker;
Shelley Krape creating a new theatre company.

Network with your creative business peers before and after the session.

Image: Richard Watts AOM, Dr Bonny Cassidy, Fred Farquar, Shelley Krape