In 2009 Monica created an online training program for the National Association for the Visual Arts called Planning for Success: Marketing, Promotion and Grant Writing. The course was delivered over five weeks, and consisted of tutorials, practical exercises, and guest interviews with artist Ben Quilty and founder of Sculpture By The Sea, David Handley. Ten selected emerging artists participated, many of whom have become award-winning practitioners and are still Creative Plus Business advisory clients to this day. Despite the technological challenges of delivery, the course was a success.
Over the years we developed and delivered several other programs for NAVA Connect, taking advantage of more advanced technology, including the online program Art Business Basics (ABB). Launched in 2013 and run annually until 2017, ABB assisted artists in dealing with and managing common business challenges, and the program culminated in the participants creating a business plan for their own career. The course was delivered in collaboration with guest lecturers Chris Chow (lawyer) and Brian Tucker (accountant). Over the four years of the program 54 participants successfully created business plans for their arts practice, as well as building their confidence and opening their horizons to learning business online.
On behalf of NAVA I want to thank you for working with us on the development and implementation of our inaugural on-line training program for visual artists. Your experience and knowledge about the issues and motivations required by people running their own business allowed us to deliver a program that was relevant and embraced by the participants. NAVA staff also gained from working with you.
Tamara Winikoff – Executive Director, National Association for the Visual Arts (2009)
