Seminar 2- Building Financial Stability & Control

Wednesday, March 8

3.00 PM - 5.00 PM (PDT)

Online via Zoom

Seminar Overview:

 For many artists, finances are often only addressed in times of crisis. However, with a little planning, you can build stability, confidence, and a path toward long-term success. 

This session is designed to help artists understand and manage their income, expenses, savings, and taxes so they can thrive in both their creative practice and personal life. 

 Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to strengthen your financial habits, this session provides the tools and knowledge artists need to manage money effectively and make informed decisions that support long-term creative success. 

What You'll Learn:

• How to track your income and expenses effectively, including separating personal and artistic finances. 
• The importance of creating a career-focused budget, covering materials, project costs, exhibitions, marketing, and more.
• Strategies for planning ahead, including saving for emergencies, retirement, and long-term financial goals.
• Practical tips for organizing receipts, maintaining accurate records, and using simple systems to manage cash flow.
• How to approach taxes with confidence, including understanding deductions relevant to your art practice.

About the Instructor -  Karen Atkinson, GYST-Ink  

Karen Atkinson is an internationally exhibited media, installation, and public artist, independent curator, and TED speaker. She is the founder of GYST-Ink, providing software and tools that help artists track their work, manage projects, and build sustainable careers. With decades of experience, Karen empowers artists to stay organized, plan strategically, and thrive creatively.

"I really appreciated the frankness of how Karen Atkinson ‘cuts to the chase.’ After listening to my fellow classmates, it was clear that the average artists doesn’t know much about the business side of art. All in all, I’m a smarter artist and now, I’m mentoring my mentor – go figure! "

“It is essential that art students be prepared for the realities of life after graduation,” says CalArts President Steven Lavine. “Nationally, no one is doing this better than Karen Atkinson with the professional practice classes that she teaches at CalArts and now with this new version of crucial software for the working artist.” 

Thursday, May 22nd

6.00 PM - 8.00 PM (PDT)

Online via Zoom
Note: This seminar (level 2) is restricted to 20 participants

Seminar Overview:

For artists, knowing where your money goes and where your work is at all times can be the key to staying organized, avoiding last-minute stress, and making informed creative decisions. This session focuses on practical strategies for budgeting and managing your art inventory so your projects and your finances run smoothly. 

By attending this session, artists will gain concrete tools to plan budgets, organize their records and artwork, and maintain financial and creative control over their practice—helping to ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and with confidence.

What You'll Learn: 

• How to create detailed budgets for both household and project expenses, including exhibitions, materials, marketing, and other artistic costs. 
• How to track income and expenses effectively, keeping personal and artistic finances separate for clarity and control. 
• Strategies for managing debt and planning spending to ensure financial stability throughout your career. 
• Practical tips for organizing receipts, maintaining accurate records, and using simple tools to track your artwork inventory. 
• How to develop systems for keeping project and exhibition files, grant applications, and sales documentation well-organized and up to date.

About the Instructor -  Karen Atkinson, GYST-Ink  

Karen Atkinson is an internationally exhibited media, installation, and public artist, independent curator, and TED speaker. She is the founder of GYST-Ink, providing software and tools that help artists track their work, manage projects, and build sustainable careers. With decades of experience, Karen empowers artists to stay organized, plan strategically, and thrive creatively. 

"I really appreciated the frankness of how Karen Atkinson ‘cuts to the chase.’ After listening to my fellow classmates, it was clear that the average artists doesn’t know much about the business side of art. All in all, I’m a smarter artist and now, I’m mentoring my mentor – go figure! "

“It is essential that art students be prepared for the realities of life after graduation,” says CalArts President Steven Lavine. “Nationally, no one is doing this better than Karen Atkinson with the professional practice classes that she teaches at CalArts and now with this new version of crucial software for the working artist.”