Twenty artists of diverse genres and backgrounds tackle entrepreneurism in the arts
The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville announces its Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training Class of 2016. Comprised of very talented artists of varying disciplines, Periscope is a dynamic training program that helps high-level artists take their careers to the next level by looking at their artistic practice through an entrepreneurial lens that bridges the gap between passion and profession.
This year, the selection process was particularly competitive, with nearly 50 applicants vying for just 20 spots. Applicants were scored by panels of community reviewers including leading curators and critics in Nashville’s arts scene such as Mark Scala of the Frist Center, Evans Donnell of the Nashville Arts Critic, Jamaal Sheats of Fisk University, and Paul Polycarpou of Nashville Arts Magazine.
“We are proud that this year’s Periscope class represents great diversity in all respects as well as a range of artistic practices from literature to visual art to theatre, said Casey Summar, executive director of the Arts & Business Council. “Periscope is unique in its ability to foster cross-genre conversations and sharing of diverse perspectives among artists of divergent backgrounds.”
The class boasts several notable Nashvillians. You’ve probably enjoyed the rustic, industrial designs of class member Martin Cadieux at hip East Nashville venues such as Barista Parlor, Fat Bottom Brewery, and Treehouse. Maryanna Clarke is the founder of the Tennessee Women’s Theater Project, which has made a name for itself as a leading voice for gender equality in the Nashville theatre scene. And you’ll likely recognize the aesthetics of Periscope visual artists such as Amélie Guthrie (featured in the March issue of Nashville Arts Magazine), Mary Mooney (who has exhibited at OZ Arts and Red Arrow Gallery among others), and David Hellams (currently showing an interactive photography exhibit at Seed Space). Periscope is quickly becoming known as the capstone experience for Nashville’s most promising artists on the rise.
The 2016 Periscope class is:
Rebecca Allen (multi-disciplinary) Bethany Langford (drama)
James Bard (visual art) Stellasue Lee (literature)
- Simone Boyd (literature) Megan Lightell (visual art)
Martin Cadieux (multi-disciplinary) Yoni Limor (visual art)
Holly Carden (visual art) Jennifer Luckett (jewelry)
Maryanna Clarke (drama) Mary Mooney (visual art)
David Coleman (music) Karen Robb (music)
Amélie Guthrie (visual art) Elizabeth Ross (multi-disciplinary)
David Hellams (visual art) Sally Schloss (literature)
Judith Hill (visual art) Alice Shepherd (visual art)
Periscope is a partnership with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (training and host partner), Metro Nashville Arts Commission (artist mentorship partner), Nashville Area Chamber Of Commerce (promotional partner), and the Mayor’s Office of Economic & Community Development and Southwest Airlines (opportunity partners).
The class starts on June 2 and continues through July 7, meeting once weekly. Following the training portion, artists are matched one-on-one with mentors to help them prepare for the Periscope Pitch on Sept. 6 and further develop their business strategies.
For more information on Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training, visit www.abcnashville.org or call 615-460-8274.