Notes From Outside the Box
August 2019 
From a hobby to a business. Everything you need to know in nine weeks!
Burgeoning NEK Entrepreneurs Invited for Co.Starters Program

The first goal identified in the VCN's recent Northeast Kingdom Creative Economy study was "strengthening the creative entrepreneurial and business development system." And the first suggestion given under that goal was "develop a Co.Starters program." Evan Carlson and the team at Do North Coworking have done just that. Registration is now open for their fall cohort.

New or aspiring Northeast Kingdom creatives, artisans, makers, or hobbyists who want to transform business ideas into reality are encouraged to participate. Participants will work with experts to
  • prototype and refine products
  • identify customers and develop a marketing message
  • learn accounting and tax best practices
  • determine the best structure for their business
  • define a strategy to scale their business
Co.Starters--a national program to help explore and test ideas to build profitable businesses--will run September 5-October 31, with classes one night a week at 930 Broad St. in downtown Lyndonville. The fee starts at $125, which includes all supplies and a one-month membership to Do North Coworking.

Do North Coworking is a Northern Vermont University-Lyndon economic development initiative that provides space and business services for member entrepreneurs and remote workers, as well as amenities for drop-in users. The Co.Starters program is offered in partnership with LaunchVT, a Burlington-based organization that provides programs and resources for entrepreneurs.

Learn more or sign up here.
Disaster and Resilience Network Launch Meeting: Register Today!

The inaugural meeting of Vermont's Arts and Culture Disaster and Resilience Network (VACDaRN) will be held September 10 at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. The lineup features a robust cross section of local and national experts from emergency management, performing arts, visual arts, and collections care.The $10 fee includes lunch; details and registration here.

New Steering Team Member

Colin Bright lives in Northfield, and has joined the Network steering team. He represents AIGA, the professional association for design.
 
Colin describes himself as an "illustrate-y designer creating in four dimensions" and works remotely for the McBride Company of Manchester Center. He has also run his own business--sometimes solely, and sometimes on the side--for ten years.
 
Getting involved with the Network was a natural fit. Colin sees that "design's all about creative problem solving and communication; lending that skillset to making our creative landscape more vibrant is an exciting prospect."

Welcome, Colin!
 
screen shot of Vermont Creative Netwok landing page.
Changing Places   
 
You may be wondering who is on the Network steering team, what people in the Network are up to, or where the latest events are going on. Maybe you puzzle over why statistics about creative workers matter. These questions can all be answered at www.vermontcreativenetwork.org.

The Creative Network website has been refreshed. It is now part of the renewed Vermont Arts Council site, with its own URL and distinct look and feel. Visit the VCN | Connect page to find out about upcoming events; see VCN | About to discover which creative zone you are in, and see VCN | Resources to learn more about important sector research.

And you can always catch up on Notes From Outside the Box here .

The Vermont Arts Council is funded, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which requires a 1:1 match from the Vermont State Legislature. Council grants, programs, and statewide arts promotion would not be possible without the critical funding provided by these government agencies.