SPAA is excited to announce The Arts Business Academy Summit, a transformative two-day professional development event.

If you are an Emerging Artist, Student Artist, Leader of an Arts Organization, Board Member or Staff member of an Arts Nonprofit, Art Educator, Museum Professional, Freelance Artist, Arts Lover, or Supporter this Summit is for you!

The Summit will be held at USF St. Petersburg from July 22-23, 2024.  With the support of Duke Energy, Bank of America, and USF St. Petersburg,  SPAA is able to educate artists and art lovers with content that will inspire, and motivate attendees about the possibilities of what art can provide in careers and in daily life.

Key Sessions Include:

• Art & Technology Panel - Panelists include Angela Dalton (ARK Invest), Beth Harrison (The Dali Museum), Kristin Hemphill (FloridaRAMA), and Veatrice Farrell (Director, Digital Inclusion – a cross sector network). This session is moderated by Terry Marks, CEO of SPAA.
• Art & Social Justice Panel -Panelists include Polita Glynn (Filmmaker, Underground History), Freddy Barton (Safe & Sound Hillsborough), Jake-Ann Jones (Award-winning writer, director, performer, and producer),  and Eric Vaughan (St Pete City LGBTQ Liaison), Debbie Yati Garrett - Founder & Creator, ART FROM THE SOUL D.Y.G.. This session is moderated by Erica Sutherlin, Executive Director of the Studio @620. 
• Art & Collaboration Workshop - Led by David Ramsey and Duncan McClellan (Clearly Collaborate), along with artists Joyce Curvin, and Sue Shapiro (SHAPIRO’s Gallery).
• Art & Wellness Workshop - Led by Susan Antoinette and Fred Woods (Rootman).
• Getting Your Art Into Retail Environments Workshop - Led by Pamela Joy Trow.
• Creating Your Brand and Value Workshop - Led by Matthew McGee (freeFall Theatre) and Cecilia Lueza (SHINE Muralist).

The Arts Business Academy Summit offers a perfect blend of professional development, networking, and fun! Attendees will enhance their creative thinking skills in a group improv session with Davina Reid. The event also includes two networking mixers to facilitate ongoing connections and collaborations. A special feature of the Summit is the creation of Accountability Partners. This is a gentle and positive process to address challenges and create movement. Accountability Partners are simply someone who will keep you accountable on a weekly basis to your word and action regarding your art. 

The cost to attend the two-day Summit is $150, with special discounted rates for SPAA members. This fee includes all sessions, materials, food and beverage, and additional resources. Registration is now live here.

Limited scholarships are available for artists with financial need. Interested artists may apply here.