Wednesday, March 19th
Building your Creative Community
Jennifer Rice of Forman Arts Initiative
What does it take to build a creative campus that truly serves its community - not just as an exhibition space, but as a living, breathing ecosystem for art, making, and connection?
In this session, Jennifer Rice, co-founder of Forman Arts Initiative, will introduce attendees to the evolving process of refining a vision for what a creative campus can be. Beginning with the foundational principles that guide the project - from shared collections and barrier-free access to expansive definitions of art - this talk explores how intentional design and programming can transform spaces into engines for creative participation.
Participants will learn how Forman Arts:
Uses art as a tool for connection, dialogue, and community-building
Expands the definition of art beyond the visual to include music, dance, hospitality, horticulture, and craft
Prioritizes access by actively removing physical, financial, and cultural barriers
Embraces multipurpose spaces that support making, gathering, and experimentation - not just display
This session will challenge attendees to rethink how creative spaces are created, governed, and activated - and how those choices shape who feels welcome to participate.
Starts at 9 AM
When to Call a Lawyer: Legal Guidance for Artists and Makers
As an artist or maker, legal questions can pop up at any stage of your career, from contracts and copyright to gallery agreements, licensing, and collaborative projects. Knowing when to seek legal guidance can protect your work, your income, and your creative freedom.
Join Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA) for an informative, practical session designed specifically for creatives. This talk will help you recognize common legal challenges, understand your rights, and know when and how to engage an attorney to safeguard your practice.
In this session, you’ll learn:
The most common legal issues artists encounter, from contracts to copyright and licensing
How to identify red flags and situations where legal advice is essential
Practical strategies for protecting your work and your income without stress
Resources and tools available through PVLA and other artist-focused legal services
By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of:
When it’s time to call a lawyer
How to approach legal questions confidently
Steps you can take to proactively protect your work and creative business
Starts at 10:30 AM
Bootstraps to Banks
Adam Kenney Chief, Bridgeway Capital
Whether you’re self-funding your work or considering outside capital, understanding your funding options gives you control.
Funding your creative business isn’t about chasing the “right” money. It’s about making informed, strategic choices at the right moment. This session demystifies the full spectrum of funding paths available to artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs, from bootstrapping and grants to community-based lending and traditional bank financing.
Presented by Adam Kenney, Chief Programs Officer at Bridgeway Capital, this talk introduces the concept of capital readiness: how clarity around your finances, operations, and goals helps you access funding on your own terms. Drawing on Bridgeway Capital’s mission-driven work supporting underserved entrepreneurs, Adam will unpack the real tradeoffs behind different funding sources and explain how to prepare for them without overextending yourself.
Participants will explore when it makes sense to self-fund, when outside capital can be catalytic, and how to align funding decisions with growth goals, values, and risk tolerance. Whether you’re stabilizing operations, investing in equipment, or planning your next phase of growth, this session offers practical guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
Starts at 12:00 PM
From Studio to Shelf
Perri Salka, Wonder Makers Consulting
Breaking into wholesale and retail partnerships requires more than a great product. It also demands strategy, clarity, and confidence. From pricing and packaging to presentation and communication, every detail matters when approaching retailers.
Wholesale Ready is a hands-on workshop designed to help emerging brands prepare for successful retail relationships. Participants will learn how to refine their product line, price for profitability, and present their work in a way that resonates with buyers.
Through practical guidance and real-world examples, this session will walk you through the essential tools retailers expect, all while helping you avoid common pitfalls that can stall or sink wholesale opportunities.
Starts at 2:00 PM
Knowing & Growing Your Audience
Paul Mencel of Philadelphia Table Co // The Handcrafted Network
Understanding your audience is the foundation of a successful creative business, but many makers struggle to identify who their ideal customers are, where to find them, and how to engage them effectively. Selling your work isn’t just about making something beautiful, but about connecting with the people who value it most.
Join Paul Mencel of Philadelphia Table Company, a seasoned creative entrepreneur with years of experience building a loyal customer base, for a practical, strategy-driven session. Paul will share insights on audience identification, engagement, and growth, drawing from his experience scaling a creative business and connecting with high-value clients.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
Identify your ideal audience and understand what motivates their buying decisions
Locate and engage with potential customers where they already spend time
Craft messaging and experiences that resonate and build lasting relationships
Grow your audience strategically, without relying solely on social media algorithms or luck
By the end of the session, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to better understand, reach, and expand their audience, giving their creative business the foundation to sell more effectively, attract loyal customers, and grow sustainably.