Artists are forging new opportunities to showcase their work through live streaming. From the studio, streaming puts the artist in front of fans and fosters conversation in real time. That connection is a digital marketing tool that helps creatives standout and grow a loyal fan base.

“They can develop more cogent marketing plans and meet the audience where they are,” said James Shermer, grants manager for the Broward Cultural Division. “Today most people are on Facebook or Instagram or an online environment. It’s important to have a digital strategy or techniques in this area. That’s where you’re going to find your next customer.”

To acquaint artists with the skills needed to get started, the Cultural Division is putting on a free workshop, Streaming from the Studio, on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center.

Workshop facilitator Erica Mohan, grants management assistant for Broward Cultural Division, said every personality type–introverted or extroverted–can find a streaming style that suits them.

“A lot of introverts don’t want to market themselves. But all you have to do is turn on the computer. While live, people can jump in and ask questions,” Mohan said. Viewers can ask about your process, tools, colors; the possibilities are wide open. Or if answering interrupts the creative flow, reply to messages afterward.

“You will get known by your work,” Mohan said. “You could meet people who could be fans for a lifetime.”

Dimitry Chamy leads the three-hour workshop. An artist with experience in graphic design, he is a faculty mentor at Florida International University’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator and holds a MFA from Yale University.

At the streaming workshop, Chamy will cover the technology, techniques and equipment one needs to get started–all with an eye toward the business of art. As in the Ratcliffe incubator, the goal is to help artists develop skills as entrepreneurs, he said.

“Stop thinking about the gallery system. Diversify and do not rely exclusively on a system that says only galleries sell art. It’s never been more accessible to market yourself as a creative person. The streaming approach doesn’t take away from your other efforts. It’s just this added layer.”

DIMITRY CHAMY

Start small. As your technical knowhow and on-camera confidence grow, followers will come. The casual, non-hurried format on streaming sites such as twitch.tv’s creative channel is fascinating for viewers, he said.

“We’re physically distant but we want to connect and video is one of the most intimate mediums to do that,” Chamy said. “It expands the possibility of connecting with other people, and you’re more likely to have success in whatever you do.”

The workshop is sponsored by a PNC Arts Alive! grant and is part of the Cultural Division’s Video Skills for Creatives series. It aligns with the division’s overarching commitment to the arts community, Shermer said.

“It’s important to present these contemporary tools to help artists understand how to work in these new environments,” he said. “We’ve learned from past workshops, you don’t have to invest a lot in a camera or high-tech equipment anymore. Much can be done with a cell phone and a few proper lighting tools.” 

For the PNC Arts Alive! initiative, the Video Skills for Creatives series is on target, said Kim Reckley, senior vice president, client and community relations director for PNC Bank Southeast Florida. The grant program seeks organizations that support emerging artists, use technology creatively and expand audiences. Since 2016, it’s funneled more than $1M into 44 programs in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

“Studies show a strong arts community is a significant driver of economic success,” said Cressman Bronson, PNC Bank executive vice president and regional president for Southeast Florida. “Our grants and sponsorships can make a big difference to South Florida arts organizations of all sizes.”

Video Skills for Creatives: Streaming from the Studio

Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019; 1 to 4 p.m.

Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, Fla. 33060

Admission is free; registration is required.

For more information or to register, visit streamfromtheartstudio.com or Eventbrite.com

To learn more about PNC Arts Alive! grants, visit pnc.com/artsalive.