Artists from across Ontario attend art business conference in Peterborough
Artists and representatives of art organizations from across Ontario descended on Peterborough to delve into the business of art earlier this month.
About 65 guests attended the Artpreneur event hosted by the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation in its Business Advisory Centre on February 8.
The event featured presentations and a panel discussion highlighting successful local artists from the Greater Peterborough, Northumberland, and Kawartha Lakes regions. They shared their knowledge and successes in this creative industry and provided innovative ideas and encouragement for artists to grow their businesses.
Elizabeth Teleki, Manager of the GPA EDC's Business Advisory Centre, said art is an expanding sector of the region’s rural economy and that the business side of art is often overlooked.
“We offered an opportunity for the artistic community to come together, share ideas and learn from each others’ best practices, which will lead to sustainability and growth in this sector," Teleki said in a release.
Artrepreneur was an interactive regional event that was organized in partnership with the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Enterprise Centre and Northumberland Business Advisory Centre.
Funding was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation and Canada Business through the Bridges to Better BusinessTM Program.
Peterborough-area businesses feted for community, creative contributions
The Peterborough area honoured the outstanding contributions of several of its small businesses earlier this month.
On February 2, the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation’s Business Advisory Centre recognized excellence in small business and those who cultivate the spirit of entrepreneurship in that community.
Small business is a key driver of the region’s economy and entrepreneurs work hard to creatively grow their businesses, providing employment and increasing the quality of life for residents in the City and County of Peterborough, says a release from the GPA EDC.
The Business Advisory Centre also recognized its 2011 sponsors who provide funding and expertise for the delivery of advisory services at nine locations throughout Peterborough City and County. These services provide tools and know-how to individuals who are seeking advice on starting and expanding small businesses in the Peterborough-area community.
In 2011, the GPA EDC showed its commitment to promoting vibrant economic and employment opportunities through the development of the EPIC (Entrepreneurs Proudly Investing in our Community) Ventures program.
EPIC Ventures recognizes the economic growth, creative business opportunities, and quality of life improvements that the region’s small businesses contribute to the community.
The 2011 recipients are as follows: Wild Rock Outfitters, The Silver Bean, Shish Kabob Hut, Seniors Dreams Inc., Kawartha Endodontics, Jo Anne’s Place, and Traynor Beef Farms.
Each winner received a promotional prize pack that included a “My Peterborough” radio feature on the KRUZ FM, a profile on PTBOCanada.com, and on-line recognition on the Peterborough This Week and Peterborough Examiner websites.
They also won a downtown display space provided by DNS Real Estate Limited Brokerage and a profile in The Business Beat—a commerce column in online publication www.kawarathanow.com— and a one hour social media consultation with expert Sofie Andreou.