Association for Visual Arts & Art Source South Africa Present:
Business of Art Workshop
Call to apply (free for AVA Members)
Application Deadline: 21 October 2026
Workshop Dates: 30 - 31 October 2026, 9:30 am - 5 pm.
What is Professional Practice?
Are you a visual artist looking to jump-start or leverage your professional career? What you need is a Business of Art workshop. This is an exciting career opportunity for artists looking to inform themselves about what it takes to manage their careers effectively.
This intensive two-day programme is designed to empower new and emerging artists with the critical information and skills required to manage their careers in the visual arts. You will learn how best to engage directly and confidently with market platforms and sector role players, learn how it operates, and develop professionalism in your practice. Artists will receive training on topics such as marketing, pricing, engaging galleries and other critical areas from an experienced trainer, as well as input and direction from industry specialists.
Association for Visual Arts (AVA) hosts this programme in association with Art Source South Africa and with the support of the City of Cape Town.
Early-career artists are encouraged to apply.
The workshop will consist of the following thematic modules:
Module 1: The World Beyond Your Studio: Planning Your Career
Module 2: The Art Eco System
Module 3: It’s Who You Know: Audience Engagement and Networks
Module 4: Commercial Realities: Markets, Sales and Pricing
Module 5: Tools of the Trade: Artist Statement, Bio, Labels, Titles, Language
Module 6: Curation and Presentation -The Eye of the Beholder
Module 7: Financial Planning
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: 21 October 2026
Outcomes: 26 October 2026
Course Dates: 30 - 31 October 2026 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Venue:
The Association of Visual Arts Gallery, 35 Church Street, Cape Town.
Parking: street parking only; participants are requested to use public transport/ Uber where possible.
Full attendance of the entire programme is mandatory. Participants are expected to commit to the whole programme. No exceptions. Participants will be expected to respect the professional training offered by being punctual and by ensuring they engage with the course.
Costs:
Participation by AVA Members is sponsored with no fee payable. Non- AVA Members will pay a R150 admin fee. Participants selected for the workshop will be required to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) confirming their full participation
Apply via the link below.
For any queries, please contact admin@ava.co.za.
In Proud Partnership
This programme is supported by the City of Cape Town.
