Art meets entrepreneurship

Various art forms on display as part of event hosted by AGNS

A program that helps young people create products and services out of their artistic talents was the focus of an event at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s western branch in Yarmouth.

On April 26 seven participants in the ARTpreneurs program had a chance to display their talent in the AGNS lobby. The event featured various art forms, including visual art, music, jewelry and temporary tattoos.

Part of Youth Art Connection, the ARTpreneurs program was born out of a desire to help young people make money from their artistic endeavours, said Ryan Veltmeyer, co-founder of Youth Art Connection.

“We started working with young people,” he said, “finding out what worked, what their questions were, what they were struggling with.” Participants in the ARTpreneurs program got to display their work and talk about it with members of the public during an event at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Yarmouth.

About a year-and-a-half ago, a group of program alumni came together to develop an online toolkit for participants, which has helped new people coming on board.

Referring to the work that went into the Yarmouth event, Veltmeyer said participants had been meeting with Steve Paquette, the program co-ordinator in Yarmouth, “and they’ve been meeting guest artists, working on their business skills, giving pitches, making business cards, learning how to frame up their talent in a product- andservice kind of way.”

Each of the participants in the Yarmouth event would have a few minutes to talk about what they do.

“Basically, then it’s just music and food and hanging out and people check out their art, just like a normal art marketplace, and it’s just up to them to network, connect, sell some stuff,” Veltmeyer said.

Paquette, who offered a few opening remarks, cited the economic challenges facing the region, saying innovation – a trait common in many artists – is important if “we’re going to get out of this hole that we’re in ... because the arts is the driver of innovation, and we are desperate for innovation in this province.”

Ann MacKenzie, manager of the TD Bank branch in Yarmouth, was invited to speak and said she was very impressed with the artists taking part.

“ARTpreneurs was designed to inspire young people and I certainly see that inspiration in the room tonight,” she said. (TD Bank was the event’s presenting sponsor.)

Veltmeyer said the participants deserve credit for their efforts.

“It’s pretty challenging if you’re going to put yourself out there, so we’re proud of these seven for sticking with it all the way through,” he said.