Over two weekends in June, thirty-four local visual artists availed themselves of a rare opportunity to hone their business skills.

AC5 partnered with G-TAC* Management Consultants to offer two business management workshops tailored specifically to professional artists.  Led by senior consultants from G-TAC, the focus was on best practices for building, enhancing and growing a professional business.  Thanks to a generous grant from Manex**, there was no charge to participants for a program valued at $1000 per student.

Antioch artist Nana-Dictta Graves said of instructor Karin Hollerbach:  "Karin was absolutely very productive and well organized.  I would definitely recommend her to others...  What a beautiful mind."

AC5 thanks the Lamorinda Arts Alliance and Pinole Artisans for their cooperation and partnership in hosting the workshops at their locations.

*About G-TAC : Global Trade Alliance Corporation (G-TAC) helps business leaders grow their businesses confidently and purposefully. They support small to mid-sized businesses that seek long-term, sustainable growth. As seasoned business executives themselves, G-TAC provides guidance to business leaders in transitioning from early-stage entrepreneurs to strong, focused business managers.

**About Manex: Manex, a California non-profit, provides funding and consulting services to California-based manufacturing companies to support the viability, growth, and competitiveness of our manufacturing sector.  Professional artists, by nature of their activities (securing raw materials, creating products of value from those raw materials, and delivering those products to the community) expressly demonstrate a manufacturing process.  Manex and G-TAC recognize that the arts are underserved in terms of traditional business growth support; thus they have collaborated to offer this program.