The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville hosted the 8th annual Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase held at OZ Arts Nashville on Sept. 8, 2021. The event was the culmination of the 2021 Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training, a year-long intensive business development curriculum and mentorship program for local artists of all disciplines. The Arts & Business Council’s first in-person, public event since March 2020, the nonprofit arts service organization adhered to strict health and safety protocols for the pitch and showcase based on current health guidelines and industry standards.
Eight artists pitched their creative business plans live on stage in the Periscope Pitch competition and a panel of four expert judges asked questions and provided feedback, scoring each of the pitches with regard to business acumen, artistic excellence, and overall presentation effectiveness. This year’s panel included Brittany Cole, Founder, Career Thrivers; Gina Miller, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Entertainment One; Katie Shaw, Owner, Red Arrow Gallery; and James Worsham, Owner and Creative Engineer, Handy Dandy Productions. The audience was also invited to help select the winners, voting digitally for both their favorite business pitch and favorite showcase display.
Watch all eight Pitch Videos below:
Jamila “Mimi” McCarley
Mimi McCarley won the Piedmont Natural Gas Pitch Perfect Award at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.
Tosha Marie Pendergrast
Tosha Marie Pendergrast pitched her creative business at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.
Rebecca Titus
Rebecca Titus pitched her creative business at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.
Keisha Becerra
Keisha Becerra won the Fifth Third Bank Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.
Lyndy Rutledge
Lyndy Rutledge won the Core Development Community Choice Award at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.
Janelle Faiman
Janelle Faiman pitched her creative business at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.
Sarah Clinton
Sarah Clinton pitched her creative business at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.
Stephcynie Curry
Stephcynie Curry won the Fifth Third Bank Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award at the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s 2021 Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase.