Arts Matrix / Arbutus Innovation

ArtsMatrix is the continuing professional development agency for creative practitioners in the South West, sponsored by SWRDA and Arts Council England. They chose Arbutus Innovation - a fast growing innovations consultancy and business accelerator set up and run by entrepreneurs - to provide marketing training to the SW's creative sector. And that's where we came in…

The Challenge

To create for Arbutus a programme of marketing workshops that would appeal to a diverse range of creative businesses in the region; and which would effectively combine practical hands-on learning with a creative sector context, for sole traders, start-ups and small businesses.

The Solution

We developed and ran 'Creating More Business' marketing workshops as subsidised one-day training events for creative practitioners who want to create more business from their art but are not sure how to do it. We decided that networking and interactive discussion should form an important part of the day since most creatives have little opportunity to bounce ideas and share issues with their peers. We integrated this with practical marketing basics including getting your offer right, finding new customers, and using promotion properly.

The Difference

We delivered successful workshops in Bath, Bristol and Cheltenham to a diverse range of creative businesses. Here are a few comments from the artists, designers and musicians who found our approach accessible and valuable.

"The whole day shone a clear light on many of the problems that I've been facing - and made the idea of approaching all these more enjoyable and possible."
- Jan Nesbitt, Painter, Fine Artist & Illustrator

"This has definitely spurred me on to market my business… I now have a much better overall understanding of how to tackle it"
- Andrew Redman, Industrial Product Designer

"I found this very helpful and it will make me think more about my approach to potential new clients in the future"
- Carl Morgan, Musician and Guitar & Keyboards Tutor