North Central College’s 16th annual Self Employment in the Arts (SEA) Conference Feb. 26-27, 2016, will help aspiring artists learn to become successful entrepreneurs at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville.
The SEA Conference provides educational resources to help aspiring artists gain entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed to establish and maintain careers as independent artists. The conference features performances, workshops, panel discussions and other activities tailored to actors, filmmakers, musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and other artists. Keynote presentations will be given by Dionna Griffin-Irons from The Second City and Tom Sharpe, drummer for Mannheim Steamroller.
Activities also include artist-led sessions, one-on-one mentoring sessions, round table discussions, a juried college art competition, pitch competition and opportunities for educators to share best practices.
Conference is set Feb. 26 & Feb. 27 at Hilton Lisle/Naperville
The 2016 SEA Conference will be held at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville Hotel, 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, beginning at 1PM on Friday, Feb. 26, and ending at 4PM Saturday, Feb. 27.
The registration fee for students is $119 for the full conference or $70 for one day. For nonstudents the fee is $199 for the full conference or $110 for one day. Late fees apply for registrations after Feb. 12.
For more information and to register visit selfemploymentinthearts.com or contact Amy Rogers, SEA director, at (630) 637-5468 oraerogers@noctrl.edu.
Brief Bio of Dionna Griffin-Irons
Griffin-Irons will deliver a keynote address, titled “Building the Unexpected in Your Business and Art,” at 1PM Friday, Feb. 26. She is a writer, alumna of The Second City Detroit, and current director of Outreach & Diversity at the legendary comedy theatre The Second City. She is a champion of empowering students, actors, women, inmates and professionals to own their “voice” and give themselves permission to play and be heard wherever they are.
Brief Bio of Tom Sharpe
Sharpe, drummer for the Grammy Award-winning group Mannheim Steamroller, will present the second address, “Defining Your Artist Self,” at 5PM Friday, Feb. 26. He is a sought-out performer and clinician, and the creator of his own group, the Tom Sharpe Ensemble. Sharpe’s own compositions have won many awards, including the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Broadjam World Music Contest.
Visit selfemploymentinthearts.com for the full schedule and list of participating artists and entrepreneurs.
Self Employment in the Arts
SEA is sponsored by The Coleman Foundation, North Central College, a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the John E. and Jeanne T. Hughes Charitable Foundation. Additional sponsors include Guident Business Solutions, Russell Law, Blick Art Materials, Beloit College, Millikin University, University of St. Francis, Ace Metal, the George R. and Martha Means Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Illinois State University, and Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Thanks for supporting the arts!
This conference is among many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public.
For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).
News submitted by Nancy Dunker, Associate Director of Public Relations, for North Central College
Editor’s Note: Jeffrey Ross Photography of Naperville will be featured, too. According to Ross, his wife Catherine will join him there both days speaking about Photography, Graphic Design, and what it’s like working in the Creative Arts. “If you are a student, or just starting a business in the arts, look into attending,” said Ross via Facebook. “There will be some amazing speakers and great networking opportunities. We’d love to see you there.”
