Successful creative professionals give Western Sydney artists the business edge

The University of Western Sydney's Associate Degree in Creative Industries program is giving Western Sydney artists the chance to gain practical knowledge from some of Sydney's most successful creative professionals, when it presents a series of free public lectures in association with UWSCollege in October and November. 

The lecture series will draw upon the extensive experience of its guest speakers to focus on essential aspects of creative business practice such as starting up a creative enterprise, time management, networking and collaboration for creative professionals, funding and professional/personal management. 

Key speakers include Pip Jamieson, co-founder and director of creative online networking platform The Loop; Alan Crabbe, creative tech and founder of Pozible crowdfunding platform for the creative projects; Jess Scully, director at Vivid Creative Sydney; Monica Davidson, author and creative director of Freelance Success; Noel McDonald, founder, general manager and creative director of Western Sydney radio station Cool Country 2KA; and Merryn Spencer, creative broker with Parramatta City Council. 

Ms Peta Downes, Coordinator of the Associate Degree in Creative Industries and host of the lecture series, notes that there is a strong trend towards creative enterprise by artists, which is being driven by media convergence, technology and changing government policy. 

"The creative industries will play a large part in Australia's economic and cultural development. Artists need more than basic business skills to survive and thrive in this evolving professional landscape", Ms Downes says. "These lectures will assist Western Sydney artists to develop an ongoing dialogue with each other and learn about the different aspects of the creative industries and creative enterprise which are applicable to this professional development". 

The five-lecture series will run on Tuesday evenings from 16 October to 27 November and is proudly sponsored by UWSCollege in partnership with Penrith City Council, St Marys Corner Community and Cultural Precinct, the ICE (Information and Cultural Exchange) Hub and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre

The Associate Degree in Creative Industries course is a creative management qualification for artists and offers three intakes per year (February, June and October). The 18 month program includes key business, law and communication units relevant to creative enterprise and creative business management. 

The Associate Degree in Creative Industries is a Commonwealth Government Supported (CGS) program and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. HECS-HELP and Austudy/Abstudy are available. 

28 September 2012 

Creative Professional Public Lecture Series