About the Professional Development Program
"The Creative Capital model of mentoring and support encourages artists to achieve sustainable careers, and these artists in turn sustain and strengthen the community as a whole. Just days after the workshop, we're seeing the 'Creative Capital effect' happening here: our group of artists are already staying in touch, making plans and excitedly passing our experiences on to our friends and colleagues. " –PDP Workshop Participant
In 2003, Creative Capital launched the Professional Development Program (PDP) to share with a broad community of artists some of the tools and strategies for improved self-sufficiency that were initially developed for grantees. Since then, PDP has refined these methodologies and developed new ones, which it has shared with more than 3,700 artists in more than 50 communities around the country. PDP presents a variety of weekend, one-day and evening length workshop offerings in self-management, strategic planning, fundraising, web strategies, verbal communication and promotion. To browse upcoming PDP workshops, visit our Calendar.
Our artist-centered approach recognizes that an artist’s career plan must stem from his or her own goals and aspirations. Workshop structures and pedagogy are designed to deliver timely and accurate information while nurturing a community of artists who validate each other's work and provide a context to share resources through peer learning. Led by consultants and practicing artists, including Creative Capital grantees trained in PDP’s curriculum, our workshops are typically presented in partnership with local arts organizations, schools and universities, and funding agencies. It is possible to tailor the workshops to specific areas of interest or need, to best suit a partner organization's mission and vision for the artists it serves.
PDP's workshops are designed to accommodate artists in all disciplines and at all stages of their careers. This diversity of participation helps create new alliances across genres and generations, which, in turn, leads to one of the program's lasting effects: stronger artistic communities in the cities where our workshops are presented. Many artists report a sense of camaraderie that develops during the workshop. Past participants have described the lasting impact of their Creative Capital workshop experience as "powerful" and "life-changing." One artist called the workshop "a total high-octane injection of exactly what I needed."
Major underwriting for the Professional Development Program comes from the Kresge Foundation, and the program was developed through the generous support of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation. The program is also made possible through the support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Joan Mitchell Foundation, and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
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Program News: Doris Duke Performing Artist Awards Announces Inaugural Class
21 Performing Artists Receive Awards
News
Events
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May 28 – May 28
Webinar: Art Business Management, with Jeffrey Gibson
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Jul 13 – Jul 15
PDP Internet For Artists Weekend Workshop
