Arts Services Initiative of WNY announces professional development sessions

Social media marketing, artist studios, board development are topics of training

Arts Services Initiative of Western New York announced the next sessions in its professional development series for cultural organizations and artists. All are free and open to everyone. Registration is encouraged by emailing [email protected] or calling 716-362-8389, ext. 512.

The sessions are:

CharitySTRONG: Details of the new initiative that provides development for nonprofit boards of directors and also helps organizations find new board members. ASI is a member of the Western New York steering committee for this new initiative. Speakers are CharitySTRONG Executive Director Laura Klein and ASI Executive Director Tod Kniazuk (Chautauqua and Buffalo) or Jen Swan (North Tonawanda). Three sessions will be offered:

•March 8, 4 p.m., at the Chautauqua Institution Turner Community Center, 4840 W. Lake Road (Route 394), Chautauqua

•March 29, 4 p.m., at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda

•March 30, 4 p.m., at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Larkin at Exchange, 726 Exchange St., Suite 525, Buffalo.

Finding the Right Studio for You: Presenters in this workshop will discuss their personal and professional experiences of finding the studio that works best for their artwork, lifestyle and budget. Speakers are Tina Dillman - Cass Project @ 500 Seneca, Rachel Olszewski - Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, and Kaitlin Frisicaro - Artspace.

•March 18, 11 a.m., at Five Hundred Seneca, fourth floor conference room, 500 Seneca St., Buffalo.

Advertising Through Social Media: Chris McLeod of the National Arts Marketing Project will offer in-depth instruction on effective use of social media to promote an organization and work. There will be a beginner, an intermediate and an advanced session offered.

April 10 at the WNY Library Resources Council, 4950 Genesee St., Buffalo.

• 9 a.m. - Beginner session
• 12:30 p.m. - Intermediate session
• 3 p.m. - Advanced session

While ASI serves the cultural community, all nonprofits are invited to attend the CharitySTRONG sessions, and any nonprofit or for profit cultural business can attend the social media session.

"Helping artists and cultural organizations advance their work through professional development is a cornerstone of our work, and we're happy to be able to offer such important and practical topics with local, stat, and national experts in their fields," Kniazuk said. "Thanks to our sponsors, these and all our sessions are free and open to all so that everyone can access and benefit from them."

ASI's professional development sessions are made possible by Fund for the Arts, Erie County, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.