Two-day arts business workshop for Native artists to be held in Red Lake in September

Red Lake, Minnesota -Native artists from the area will have the chance to delve into the world of art markets and culturally-relevant business strategies when they attend a professional development training sponsored by the Red Lake Nation - Entrepreneur Program.

In partnership with First Peoples Fund, a national Native organization committed to supporting and honoring Native American artists, the Northern Minnesota Tribal Economic Development Summit will host a Native Artist Professional Development training session for local and regional Indigenous artists in looking to develop their skills, connections and business models.

The two-day training-which is completely free to artists-will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2015 and Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Seven Clans Casino 10200 MN-89 in Red Lake, MN. Lunch will be served.

Advanced registration is encouraged at http://www.firstpeoplesfund.org.

At the two-day training, artists will learn how to market their art, set budgets and pricing structures, develop a business plan, and more.

"This training is a great way for artists at any stage in their career to start or expand an arts business, whether they be a newcomer unsure about the pricing of their art or a more experienced artist hoping to grow their customer base," said Jeremy Staab, Technical Assistance Manager for non-profit partnerships at First Peoples Fund. "Everything we do is designed to honor and protect traditional and cultural values, while helping Native artists succeed and thrive as business people."

Cherilyn Spears, Project Coordinator for Red Lake Nation Economic Development & Planning, said "Partnering with First People's brings a national view of the arts economy to Red Lake artists as well as time-tested tools for supporting artists and their communities. Partnering with a successful organization like First People's will accelerate our efforts in building a thriving arts economy." Spears also commented that "through the Entrepreneur Program and its services, a number of artists have been supported in their business planning and development. First People's will enhance our current services by adding Native art business specific tools to support the artists."

For more information on the Native Artists Professional Development Training, call Jeremy Staab at 605-348-0324 or visit http://www.firstpeoplesfund.org.

The Northern Minnesota Tribal Economic Development Summit is provided by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Red Lake Nation, and the White Earth Nation with their first of six summits being held in 2006. After their first Summit the Northern Minnesota Tribal Economic Development Commission (TED) was established in 2007 to pursue opportunities that grew out of the Summit. Each Summit provides an opportunity for the three tribes and their regional neighbors to hear about new initiatives, resources, and opportunities to incorporate into their economic strategies and partnerships. To learn more or to register for the September 22nd & 23rd Summit visit http://www.nmtedc.org.