Emma Veiga-Malta is hosting the inaugural The Creative Business Summit in Kiama. Photo: Supplied.
Illawarra’s vibrant creative community will get a boost this August with the inaugural The Creative Business Summit, designed to help artists transform their talents into sustainable careers.
Organiser Emma Veiga-Malta, a 26-year veteran of a design and art business, is bringing together experts to tackle what she calls the “starving artist mentality” that often prevents creatives from valuing their work.
Emma said the one-day conference at Kiama’s scenic The Pavilion was a regional first covering a broad spectrum of topics aimed at hobbyists starting a new venture or experienced creatives with established businesses, whether artists, designers, photographers, writers, performers or creators.
“Regionally, there’s a skills gap when it comes to finding the confidence and advice to make money and run a sustainable business as a creative,” she said.
“When I moved here from Sydney, I realised there were so many creatives here.
“There’s so many classes you can do from watercolour to pottery that teach you a discipline, but when I started joining the art societies and volunteering for creative events, no-one knew how to turn their talents into something profitable and live this creative lifestyle that actually helps pay their bills.
“Creatives crave connection with like-minded people and the ability to turn their talents into profit.
“I want to encourage all creatives to live their best creative lives, while making money from their talents.”
Among the speakers are South Coast Arts executive director Louise Croker on project funding, freelance advocate Rebecca Lambert discussing creative burnout and mental health, and Emma herself will lead a session on overcoming creative confidence challenges.
She said she had also secured speakers on pricing strategies, social media marketing and artificial intelligence on creative industries.
“AI is the elephant in the room, especially when it comes to creatives,” she said.
“A lot of the creatives I’m seeing in my own practice and business are either burying their heads in the sand … or they’re instantly dismissing it as this evil thing that’s going to take their jobs away and stop people from buying creativity from human beings.”
She said the topics chosen were examples of how general business conferences didn’t resonate with creatives and how creative businesses had nuances and layers other businesses didn’t have.
“I’ve been to so many conferences, and I’ve done business courses, but as a creative I was always finding I was shoehorning generalist business advice into my creative business,” she said.
“The generalist business advice doesn’t often fit through a creative work process or even mindset.”
She said that often led creatives to frustration and disconnection – and a “starving artist” mentality.
“There will be no room for the starving artist mentality at The Creative Business Summit,” she said.
“It’s an event for creatives by creatives. Everything is curated and shared through the lens of creativity.
“Creatives will learn practical and inspiring ways to run a joyous and profitable creative business while leading their ideal creative life.”
The summit, supported by a Kiama Council cultural development grant, also emphasises the importance of in-person networking.
“It’s important to get together in person. I think the magic happens when you’re in the room together,” she said.
“The magic at events happens in the spaces in between, the casual conversations.
“Being physically in the room, especially in this digital age, is really priceless.”
She said being aesthetically driven, it was also important the event she describes as “a movement” be held in a beautiful location.
“The Pavilion sits on the cliffs of Kiama, overlooking the lighthouse and surf beach – the perfect place to feel inspired and connected,” she said.
Tickets are now available for The Creative Business Summit at The Pavilion, Bong Bong St, Kiama on 14 August from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
