ARTpreneur – Developing a Marketing Plan & Grant Writing – Aisha Wickham Thomas

There are some high power speakers coming to this years ARTpreneur Conference.   As an artist myself I can tell you that one of the things I’ve always hated is the business end of this business.

Canada Council and the literally hundreds of other funding options for Canadian artists are available to Artists of almost all mediums and Ms  Wickham Thomas can unlock some of the mysteries of Grant applications for you.

A strong business plan can never hurt and understanding your product doesn’t either.   Understanding and developing a strong marketing plan.  Understanding your Arts shelf life and also the misconception that if you can simply create good art the public will come.   She told me today how many less talented artists make it because of how good they are at the business of art and that strategy and networking are key.

If the right people; your target audience; are not exposed to your work; that it’s going to be a lot harder to be successful.    Good quality is important, but so too is good distribution.

I spoke with Aisha early this morning and we talked about her path and history as well as what she hoped to share at ARTpreneur this Thursday, November 5th at the Ramada Inn & Conference Centre.

Aisha’s path started with her passions for Music and Radio.   After studying Radio & Television Arts at Ryerson she broke into the business and followed the path that New Media has opened for many artists.

ngomaproductions is her website where you can learn about some of the many areas that she covers, and don’t forget to look at her new website THENEWINDIE to learn more about her work in Independent Music via her role with CIRAA ( Canadian Independent Recording Artists Association).

Her workshops should be very informative and helpful to those attending them.  See you there!