“I met Gigi at an Artist Trust workshop in Tacoma, Washington in 2012 where she spoke about marketing. I had just sold my first piece and now five years later, using some of her advice, I’m a fulltime professional artist.
I fondly remember her New York-ish-ness and the feeling that I had chosen the right direction for my art. Her enthusiasm and information increased the confidence I felt in aggressively, strategically, and joyfully placing my art in front of a world audience.”
Gigi customizes workshops and speeches for your event or audience of 8 to 100. Some topics include:
Fund Your Project: Grant Writing for Artists
In this hands-on workshop, artists and writers learn to write compelling and lively grant applications to fund their artistic projects. Participants discover how to research funding, decode application questions, and let the grant-writing process focus career goals. In-class demonstrations reveal how to enlist colleagues and friends to help write a successful grant. Participants learn how to:
Discern when grant writing is the best use of an artist’s time
Research grants: where and how
Answer the questions that many applications don’t ask
Employ techniques that make proposals irresistible to funders
“Gigi is a realist with an optimist’s heart. She knows fundraising is tough, but also how to get it done. Her workshop was concise and candid, and she teaches with warmth and humor. Time well spent!”
“Gigi’s talk in Boulder was absolutely first rate. She brought excellent content, clarity, concision and enthusiasm to her talk. And a good time was had by all. I’m working on an exhibition and exchange in Kunming, China in early November and will use all her help.”
“I attended Gigi’s workshop at the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Since then, I’ve been awarded two fellowships, three professional development grants, and two project grants from local and state agencies. Gigi put all of that in motion for me a decade ago. Thank you so much!”
Your Artist Talk: How to Talk about Your Art
In this lively workshop, artists learn 10 tips for giving an outstanding presentation whether it’s to one person or a crowd. From formal public talks to informal conversations, an artist’s ability to cogently discuss her work can ensure opportunities, connections and sales. Learn how to rehearse even for off-the-cuff talks, enjoy the limelight, manage a Question & Answer session and connect with your public. Participants leave with ideas for where they could be talking right now.
DON’T GO SOLO: ENLIST A VILLAGE For YOUR PROJECT
Successful artists and writers don’t work in isolation – they know that “success is a social activity” and that the key to a brilliant career is collaboration. To write The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing, I interviewed dozens of flourishing artists from across the country. Although they came from diverse disciplines, they had similar tendencies that helped them succeed. The most striking one was the ability to collaborate. Learn how to use a village to propel your brilliant career.
Today, We Write
At a writing conference it’s too easy to get so caught up in “gathering information” you might need that you lose touch with what drew you to be a writer in the first place. Join us and experience the power of writing and reading aloud in a community of writers. We'll do several timed writes with prompts I provide, then practice a feedback method designed to help you find your most honest voice. Leave this conference with fresh writing on your current manuscript.
Give a Good Reading
It's time to come out from behind the desk and meet the audience. Writers learn 10 tips for giving an outstanding reading, whether to a small gathering or an auditorium of listeners. Discover how to read work aloud with confidence, enjoy the limelight, and connect with an audience. Come prepared to practice with a supportive coach who provides practical advice for taking your writing into the world through stellar public readings. Bring up to five pages of writing to read.
Create Your Artist Action Plan
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll re-align your career goals with your own true north. What do you want to be celebrating in your artist career this coming New Year’s Eve? How can you make these next few months not only your most productive but also your most creative where you look forward to time at the writing desk or in the studio ? Using energizing exercises and brainstorming techniques, you create a practical, doable action plan for your brilliant career. You'll leave the workshop with both a vision and practical tips you can implement right away.
“Gigi’s class was fun, well-paced, and practical, and her observation about my elevator speech hook was astute. What works in writing doesn’t always translate well into spoken form. After I pitched the agent with the revised elevator speech, he requested my book proposal. Success! Thank you!”
“The lecture series Gigi presented in South Florida provided artists with such valuable lessons in how to succeed in the marketplace. Broward County artists learned to talk about their art, write about their projects and collaborate. We look forward to working with her again. ”
“Gigi brought insight and knowledge to my staff at MSN that dramatically enhanced their communication skills. She listened, observed, coached individuals to understand unique skills suited to their specific needs. She has an instructional mastery that I have rarely seen. Hire her.”
“Gigi’s keynote address truly grounded our Arts Symposium. Her down-to-earth advice, personable demeanor and entertaining presentation kept the audience rapt. People walked away buzzing with ideas and energized for the other sessions.
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Photo by Christian Columbres