Creative Capital PDP Verbal Communications Workshop

The KCArtistLink team, with support from the Kresge Foundation, presents Creative Capital's Verbal Communications Workshop for artists of all disciplines. Designed and facilitated by communications specialist Kirby Tepper, the workshop includes lectures, small group activities, and hands-on exercises to improve interpersonal communications and public speaking skills. Topics covered include how to authentically discuss your work in social situations such as gallery openings, and how to successfully pitch your work or ask for money in meetings with presenters and funders. Participants identify their goals and objectives to more effectively represent themselves and their work, and have the opportunity to give a short presentation to work on content, verbiage, physical behavior, and body language.

Kirby Tepper combines experience as a performer, writer, and therapist to help artists acquire verbal communication skills for public speaking, fund-raising, conflict resolution, and presentations. His background includes co-authoring the Robin Hood musical sequence for the Oscar-winning "Shrek" and authoring lyrics for a proposed Broadway production of "Gladiator." He is a Licensed Marriage, Family, & Child Therapist in Los Angeles.

The one-day workshop will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at the UMKC Innovation Center, 4747 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110, Room 114. The cost for selected participants is $75.00. Only alumni of the Creative Capital Core Curriculum or Artist INC workshops held in Kansas City between 2007 and 2012 are eligible to apply. Up to 24 participants will be selected by a peer panel based on demonstrated professional artistic activity, creation of new work as a primary focus, and evidence of readiness to transition to a new career phase. Applicants must submit a narrative application, resume/CV, and digital work samples through CallForEntry.org. Applicants will be notified of decisions the week of April 2, 2012.