Building Something Sustainable Together - Art Business Masterclass

The Art Business Masterclass starts again September 16th, and I keep thinking about what one of my students said: "I'm not in as bad shape as I thought I was. And still, I have a ton to learn."

That's it exactly.

Most artists I work with already know more than they think. They just need systems to support what they're already doing. A roadmap when things feel overwhelming. Community when the work feels isolating.

Emily lost her studio in the recent fires. But she's building something new - not just physically, but professionally. Before our work together, she described her practice as "nervous." Now? "Hopeful."

"I feel like I'm able to envision a game plan for continuing in my practice and career, even with the overwhelming loss of my studio to the fire."

That resilience doesn't come from learning some secret business hack. It comes from having practical foundations in place. Knowing how to price your work without panic attacks. Understanding how galleries actually operate. Building genuine relationships in the art community.

"The connections I've made so far through the course are real ones. I have run into people at openings and texted or emailed with other folks at different points and it was easy. The exchange was comfortable and not competitive."

This is what sustainable looks like. Not the hustle-culture version of success, but the quiet confidence that comes from being prepared. From having a community. From treating your practice like the valuable work it is.

What We're Building

Sixteen weeks of Tuesdays at 6pm PST. Small cohorts because real conversation requires space to breathe. Everything recorded because creative schedules don't fit neat timelines.

We cover the practical stuff: pricing without panic, writing artist statements that sound human, building websites that work, approaching galleries without cringing. The mundane, necessary foundations that keep creative practices alive.

But really, it's about building something that can weather whatever comes next. Community over competition. Sustainability over sprint. Care over capitalism.

"It's easier to back away from the overwhelm - to take one step and then decide on what the next step will be."

Emily's words stick with me because that's exactly what this work provides: the next step. Not a complete transformation, just clarity about what comes next.

Fall 2025 Cohort Details

Starts: September 16th, 2025 When: Tuesdays 6pm PST Duration: 16 weeks Investment: $200 total Format: Live sessions with lifetime access to recordings

California artists: You can apply for a CCI quick grant for reimbursement through August 15th.

This isn't about changing your art to fit the market. It's about finding your market and building real relationships there. It's about having breathing room in your practice. It's about not figuring it out alone.

Your art deserves that foundation. You deserve community while you build it.

Learn more and apply here

Shoebox Members: The Art Business Masterclass is included with your membership. You're already part of the community - just show up Tuesdays at 6pm starting September 16th.

Not a member yet? Learn more and apply here

"Any artist feeling overwhelmed" should take this class, Emily says. "If you like making art and sharing it on any level, or need a boost of some kind: serotonin or financial... this course is super helpful for creating guide posts for the business side of your practice."