Free Workshop for Chicago Performing Artists

Self Promotion for Performing Artists, a free presentation by arts consultants Peter McDowell and Mia Park, will take place on Saturday, March 24 from 3-4pm at the Chicago Cultural Center’s 5th Floor Garland Room, 78 E. Washington, Chicago, as part of the Creative Chicago Expo. Now in its 9th year, the Creative Chicago Expo is a chance for arts organizations and artists of all disciplines to connect, exchange information, and share best practices. In the past, more than 5,000 creative practitioners and 140 local and national vendors participated in dozens of consulting sessions and free workshops, and networked across Chicago’s diverse arts communities. For more information, see www.chicagoartistsresource.org

 

Self-Promotion for Performing Artists is a presentation designed to give composers and performing artists (musicians, actors, dancers) simple but powerful tools and strategies for marketing and publicising their careers, creations and performances.

Areas covered include:
• overview of web site options
• web site content basics
• creating promotional PDFs such as one-sheets
• writing a bio and a press release
• promoting live performances to critics, reviewers, bloggers, and fans
• getting events listed
• promoting a recording/CD on the web, to radio stations, and to critics/reviewers
• social media strategies

There will be time for networking and for a question and answer session. Participants are asked to bring any self-promotional materials that they have created.

Performing Arts Consultant Peter McDowell (PeterMcDowell.com), a former Program Director for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, has lived in New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago over the past 20 years and brings his wealth of knowledge of the performing arts scene in each of these cities to the workshop. He has built a solid career on high-level, strategic, creative, efficient and effective service to performing arts organizations and performing artists. He is also Co-Founder of PerformSites.com — a company that creates WordPress web sites for artists and arts organizations.

Mia Park (MiaPark.com) communicates the highest good as an actress, producer, musician and yoga instructor. Mia has seventeen years of experience performing and marketing in Chicago’s rock music scene and has produced dozens of music and theatrical shows. She’s led a successful acting career for twelve years and a yoga career for seven. With strong communication skills and sincere networking, Mia teaches that honesty, excitement and intuition are powerful marketing tools.

Peter McDowell and Mia Park will also share a booth in the vendor area at the Creative Chicago Expo for both Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24 from 10am – 4pm.