Macon Arts Alliance launches professional development program for creatives

Knight Foundation funds skills-building program

MACON, Ga. – As a way to help creative professionals build a life by doing what they love, the Macon Arts Alliance is offering a new professional development program for artists and designers in Central Georgia. The program, called Amplify, will support entrepreneurs with resources, training and networking opportunities to advance their careers.

To begin, the alliance is taking a brief survey, now available at amplifyforcreatives.com, to assess the needs of the region’s creative professionals. The alliance wants to hear from people across a range of industries, whether they are visual artists, producers, performers or involved in other creative careers.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is supporting Amplify with a $50,000 grant.

“Before we develop a workshop program, we need to hear from the creative community,” said Stephanie Fritz, the alliance’s special project manager. “There are so many professional development resources that creative entrepreneurs could use but we have to hear from them to be able to know what they need in order to make a living and a life doing what they love most.”

Amplify hopes to build a network and support structure that connects creatives both to each other and to the resources available in the community. Depending on the results of the survey, the workshops could involve a range of topics including business planning, marketing and legal issues. The program seeks to support local entrepreneurs in the development and growth of their own business and ultimately create more jobs to foster economic growth.

“As the Macon arts community continues to grow, we hope Amplify will do just that – expand individual artists and professionals’ ability to have an impact, fuel the economy and engage and enrich the community through the arts,” said Beverly Blake, Macon program director for Knight Foundation.

For more information about Amplify please contact stephanie@maconarts.org.

About Macon Arts Alliance
The mission of the Macon Arts Alliance is to foster and support the advancement of arts and culture in Central Georgia. Macon Arts Alliance works to create an environment where arts and culture thrive and Central Georgia is recognized as an unparalleled cultural destination. Macon Arts Alliance is the designated local arts agency for Macon-Bibb County.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit KnightFoundation.org.

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