About the Toolbox

Get the Tools You Need to Build Your Career!

Based on survey results from over 800 visual artists, the Artist’s Professional Toolbox (APT) is an exciting, one-year  career development certificate program that empowers practicing visual artists with the skills and confidence they need to master the business challenges of being an artist. APT includes over 14 workshops, held on Saturdays throughout the academic year, for a select group of artists to learn and practice marketing, networking, and business skills with the additional benefits of peer group interaction, mentorship, and feedback.

Originally designed and developed by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston in 2005, the 2012-13 program will be held on Montserrat College of Art’s campus in Beverly, MA.

The program includes instruction on:

• Clarifying career goals with a professional career coach
• Marketing strategies, including positioning, branding, and marketing plan development
• Writing artist statements, bios, press releases and media pitches
• Effective networking and "verbal branding"
• Effective negotiation
• Copyright infringement, contracts, and real estate issues
• Financial planning, and tax and estate planning
• Time management

The program concludes with a portfolio review, giving participants the opportunity to practice their presentation skills and present their work to leading gallery owners, museum directors, grant makers, journalists, and residency program directors.

New This Year: Studio Critique
Lead by experienced Montserrat College of Art studio faculty, students will receive constructive feedback on their artwork and be taught the skills to critique their own and other’s work. The ability to judge and edits one’s own work is critical to the success of any artist’s portfolio. Discourse will go beyond formally deconstructing the work and offer practical solutions to encourage creative productivity.

Eligibility
The Toolbox is open to practicing visual artists and is limited to 30 participants. Applicants must commit to completing the entire program. The admissions process is rolling for qualified applicants, so don't delay!

Tuition and Fees
Tuition for artists is $1500 for the year ($750 per semester). Payment plans are available through Paypal.

Important Dates
Application Deadline is August 15, 2012
Artists selected for the program will be notified by August 31, 2012
The opening retreat will take place on Friday, September 21, 2012 & Saturday, September 22, 2012
The Toolbox program will conclude with a portfolio review on Wednesday, May 8th & Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Click here to learn more!