St. Petersburg College recently held an event to help local artists explore careers in art. The first of its kind, the career-themed event was held at SPC’s Palladium Theater. More than 200 students and community members came to hear well-known, successful professionals share their experience about careers in art. This was followed by a lively evening of “speed networking.” The goal of the event was to educate SPC students, faculty and the community about careers in art.

St. Petersburg College offers classes and degrees that lead to careers in art. Explore our Arts and Entertainment course offerings today.

JoEllen Schilke, Community Relations Manager and Hostess of Art in Your Ear at WMNF Radio, was appointed the moderator of the evening. Wayne Alderholt, representative City of St. Petersburg’s Mayor’s Office, welcomed attendees and John Collins, President of the St. Petersburg Art Alliance kicked off the panelist discussion by addressing the economic impact of the arts in St. Petersburg.

The panelist included:

• Steve Swenson, Managing Producer Audio/Music at HSN and Community Advisory Board Member for the MIRA program
• Craig Kopp, General Manager at WMNF Radio
• Bob Devin Jones, Actor/Playwright/Co-founder of Studio @620
• Tom Morris, SPC faculty member and owner of Morrisound Recording
• Leslie Curran, Principal ARTicles Gallery, Interim President, Arts Association St. Petersburg; President of EDGE Business District Association; and former City of St. Petersburg City Council member
• Christine Renc-Carter, Artist and Director of Dunedin Fine Art Center

The audience was given the opportunity to submit questions for the panelists in the invitation survey. The questions were thoughtful, engaging and elicited some great stories from the panelist regarding their artistic roots, passion for their career and journey into their current position.

After generously sharing their stories, the speakers continued the dialogue on a more personal level as the event moved to the Back Door Jazz room. Here the speakers and audience participated in a lively interaction of speed networking. Rosaria Pipitone, Outreach Specialist from the SP/Gibbs Campus controlled the stop watch and announced thought provoking questions designed to get the participants talking. The careers in art event was three hours long and was such a success that many of the participants lingered after the end to continue the discussion.

Yes, the arts are not only alive in St. Petersburg – but SPC faculty and local Working Artists are committed to educating students with the knowledge, skills and abilities it takes to be good in the field – but also helping students to understand the possibilities behind the potential.

“Arts businesses and the creative people they employ stimulate innovation, strengthen America’s competitiveness in the global marketplace, and play an important role in building and sustaining economic vibrancy.”  Americans for the Arts

For those who are indecisive, curious or on the cusp of embarking on a career in the creative industries, expect to find a lively evening of learning, networking and resources on Monday evening, Nov. 16, from 6 – 9 p.m. at the the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College in downtown St. Petersburg.

Presented free of charge by St. Petersburg College’s Fine Arts & Humanities, the Palladium Theater, WMNF Community Radio 88.5 FM and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, this spirited event begins with a panel discussion comprised of well-known successful artists and others working in the arts in Tampa Bay who will share their own stories, how they came to the arts, lessons learned and more. JoEllen Schilke, host of WMNF’s Art in Your Ear heard on Fridays at 1 p.m. on the radio station, will serve at the panel’s moderator and the evening’s emcee.

Following the panel discussion, attendees will be able to interact directly with the panelists, many more well known, successful artists, and those working in the arts – including those who hire artists –  via a “speed-dating” style networking event.

By attending this event, those seeking work as artists or work in the arts will learn more about the multiple pathways for working in the arts right here in Tampa Bay without having to relocate to New York City or another big city in order to succeed and earn a living.

Those considering  work in the fine or performing arts, writers, interior designers, graphic artists, technical arts – light, sound, scenery, property, stagehand – photographers, content managers, teachers looking to work full-time, part-time, freelance, contract in a corporation, agency, as an entrepreneur or self-employed will benefit by attending and participating in this FREE event.

For a list of panelists and event details, please LIKE us on our #workingartist Facebook event page.  Please RSVP here.