Instagram Strategies for Creatives to Grow an Audience in 2022 Do you want to grow your reach in 2022? Unless you know about the latest Instagram algorithm updates are, you will have a hard time growing your audience. Learn what's new on Instagram and what you need to focus on in order to get the best results. ​ About Sergio: Sergio Gómez is a visual artist born in Puebla and raised in Mexico City. Since 1988, he has resided in Chicago. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Governors State University and received a Master’s Degree in Visual Arts from Northern Illinois University. Sergio’s work has been the subject of more than 45 solo exhibitions in the United States, Romania, Italy, Mexico and Vienna. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Austria, Italy, South Korea, England, Kairo, Belgium and the United States. His work is in several private and public collections. In 2018 Sergio was the subject of solo exhibitions at the Museum of the City of Queretaro, Mexico, Museum of the City of Cuernavaca, Mexico, Museum of Art of the City of Cluj, Romania, Museo Internazionale Italia Arte of Turin, Italy and ACS Gallery, Chicago. Besides his studio work, Sergio Gómez is Curator and Director of Exhibitions at the Zhou B. Art Center in Chicago, Director and founder of 33 Contemporary Gallery, co-founder of Art NXT Level®, and founder of Amplified Art Network. He has curated over 100 exhibitions in the US and abroad such as “The National Self-Portrait Exhibition”, “Get Real: New Figurative Realism in Chicago” “CelebrARTE”, “Chicago’s Twelve”, “I AM American Traveling Exhibition” and the “National Wet Paint Biannual MFA Exhibition” which has become a catalyst for emerging painters across the USA. His weekly Art NXT Level podcast and Breakfast with Sergio video show inspires and educates contemporary artists from around the world. Sergio has curated special projects for the Chicago Park District, Chicago Garfield Park Conservatory, ArtSpot Miami International Art Fair, Sirona Fine Arts Miami, Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin, National Museum of Mexican Art, and Expo Chicago Art Fair among others. Website: www.virtualartist.com Instagram: @sergiogomezart For more videos about arts entrepreneurship visit www.selfemploymentinthearts.com #artsentrepreneurship #instagramstrategies

Mental Health Conversations for Creatives: Mike and Leanna have been around SEA a long time! From keynoting to drum circles to one-on-one mentoring, they have always been a favorite of our attendees. ​Join Mike and Leanna or an open conversation about mental health, creativity, and being a creative business owner. ​ About Bettermental: IT ALL STARTED IN 2017. Business owners Leanna Lee and Mike Veny met during a creative entrepreneurs conference. Since then, they’ve interviewed each other, spoken at conferences together, and collaborated on multiple projects. In 2021, they partnered up again to create the Bettermental podcast and brand. TODAY, BETTERMENTAL IS A MENTAL HEALTH AND GROWTH RESOURCE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS. Bettermental is committed to removing mental health and disability stigma in the workplace so that creative small business owners and their teams can work to live well. We support business and wellness strategies that put workers at the forefront, creating a healthy, inclusive environment for business owners, managers, employees, and independent contractors alike. ​ About Mike Veny: Mike was determined to overcome a lifetime of serious mental health challenges to become a professional drummer and a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. He’s the author of best-seller Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. As a 2017 PM360 ELITE Award Winner, he was recognized as one of the top 100 influencers in healthcare. In his spare time, he enjoys weight training, meditating, and eating a good medium-rare bone-in ribeye. He lives in New York City and is addicted to buying luggage and YouTube packing tutorials. His packing checklist for business trips is one of his most prized possessions. ​ About Leanna Lee: A British-American writer-journalist, strategist, and speaker, Leanna specializes in tech, the future of work, and mental health. She’s a professional member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and a founding member of digital nation, Plumia. Leanna has lived with PTSD, anxiety, and depression her entire professional life, fueling her interest in healthy and sustainable business practices. When not debating with co-host Mike, you’ll find her travelling the world with her husband and pet robot or reading with a cup of strong, black tea. For more information about Mike, Leanna and Better Mental visit: www.bettermental.fe For more videos about arts and entrepreneurship, visit www.selfemploymentinthearts.com #mentalhealthmatters #artsentrepreneurship

What would you be doing if money wasn't an issue? Join self-worth coach, Sheryl Kosovski, as she discusses how to use tools like self-discovery, knowledge-learning, and changing your mindset to create financial security and wealth so you can pursue your creative passion. There will be plenty of time to ask your questions too! Sheryl has presented at our SEA Conferences for many years and our attendees always find her sessions very beneficial! ​ About Sheryl: Sheryl Kosovski of Self-Worth.coach is a certified financial and business coach. Working with Sheryl is an opportunity to create a new vision for your life and change how you see yourself regarding money. She specializes in working with Creative Entrepreneurs, artists, designers, architects and others who love what they do but do not feel they are experts in business. Sheryl teaches her clients how to get and stay out of debt, save, manage their money, attract more clients, make more money and create lasting financial security without depriving themselves in the process. Sheryl helps them take control and learn the skills they need to make wise financial decisions. She helps her clients see their value, so they come to believe they are worthy of more. She has helped thousands of clients see that by taking care of their money they can better take care of themselves and the people they love. Sheryl's Links: Sheryl's Website: https://self-worth.coach Monday Free Q&A Sessions with Sheryl: https://self-worth.coach/money-q-a/ Sheryl's FREE Pricing Guide: https://files.constantcontact.com/c0e00a4f001/35b7f22a-170a-416f-a35a-8b2a35e23e27.pdf SEA's Links: Website: https://www.selfemploymentinthearts.com Free Weekly Sessions: https://www.selfemploymentinthearts.com/free-weekly-sessions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfemploymentinthearts Mastermind Mentoring Group (Free): https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSEAMastermind #selfworthcoach #financialsuccess #artandmoney

Public Art and the Emerging Creative Have you ever wondered how the world of public art works? Join Chicago artist, Lynn Basa, for an open conversation about being a public artist - What is it exactly? How does an emerging creative find calls and navigate the application process? Lynn will touch on these topics and share tips and strategies she's learned along the way. Lynn Basa is a full-time artist with a studio in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. She is a painter who also does public art commissions. She is the founder of The Corner Project, a community-based practice focused on the people and places of Milwaukee Avenue between Kimball and Central Park. She is the author of The Artist’s Guide to Public Art, which will be updated and reissued as a second edition in 2019. www.lynnbasa.com www.selfemploymentinthearts.com #PublicArt #ChicagoArtist #artentrepreneur

Musicians, Terry and Jonelle Carter from the band River Road Trio discuss how to get and keep the gig. They bring a wealth of knowledge and cover topics from pricing to putting together your RPK. About Terry and Jonelle: Terry Carter is an accomplished guitar player/singer with over forty years of experience. Spending much of his professional life on the road, Terry has a keen understanding of the traveling musician. A frequent on the Chicago music scene with Kentucky roots, Terry joins blues licks and chicken pickin’ together in a perfectly blended marriage. His love of vintage tube amps and guitars are the foundation of what makes his tone recognizable. Terry is always excited and will- ing to share his knowledge gained over the last four decades of being an in demand and busy player on the scene. Jonelle Carter hails from southwest of Chicago and has been a singer-songwriter for over two decades. She has written and recorded multiple albums and singles, as well as managing, promoting, and booking her band River Road Trio. Her first single has accumulated over 500,000 downloads since debuting in 2004, and she’s maintained online success while gaining knowledge on how the everyday musician can use social media to grow their brand. Jonelle is also an author, speaker, business owner, and a Mom, learning early in her career how to balance the challenges of a busy personal life with a successful entertainment career. Jonelle brings to the table her distinct knowledge on how to grow your music career while managing the demands of every day life. https://www.selfemploymentinthearts.com https://www.riverroadtrio.com https://www.facebook.com/riverroadtrio https://www.jonellemariecarter.com https://www.guitarcloset.net

Join artist and commercial illustrator, John McDavitt, for a discussion about pursuing a career in the arts and the struggles we often have with the naysayers as well as this all too often societal idea that you can't make a living in the arts. (John and all of our SEA presenters are proof you can!) About John: John is a designer, illustrator, sculptor, muralist, educator and speaker. He studied special effects make-up under Oscar winner, Dick Smith (The Exorcist, Amadeus, The Godfather). That skillset translated to a successful career in toy and product development (Wilton, Huffy, The Bradford Group, Big League Chew, Thomas the Train, Disney, Lamaz), product presentation and marketing. John began his career as a t-shirt airbrush artist and after earning $11,000 in one month at age 20, he decided a career as a creative entrepreneur was the only way to go. Airbrushing led to a decade long consultancy for Badger Airbrush Company. John has created a number of large mural commissions, his most recent for ‘unLOCK: Merging Art & Industry’ in Lockport, IL through the Gaylord Building program, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. John’s speaking presentations encourage artists and entrepreneurs ‘they can do it, too!’ John teaches artists how to design and illustrate as well as how to make the transition to creative professional. He hosts ‘The Breakthrough Creative’ podcast. Follow John on YouTube and Instagram (@muralguy).

Filmmaker John Klein discusses filmmaking during a pandemic and answers questions on a variety of subjects from funding your film to music options. About John: John Klein (www.windycitycamera.com) is a freelance cinematographer and an adjunct professor of film courses at Depaul University and Flashpoint Chicago. He is also the producer of Glass City Films, a production company through which he has directed multiple award-winning short and feature-length films, including the Kickstarter-funded post-apocalyptic thriller Chrysalis.

Don't miss this great discussion with creative entrepreneur Mike Veny. He shares about his unique approach to networking and branding. About Mike: What do you get when you mix mental health challenges with a passion for drumming? A dynamic speaker and musician who delivers engaging presentations with raw energy and a fresh perspective on Diversity & Inclusion! Mike Veny is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, corporate drumming event facilitator, author, and luggage enthusiast. Seriously, you’d completely get it if you did all the traveling he did! He’s the author of the book Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero & The Transforming Stigma Workbook. As a 2017 PM360 ELITE Award Winner, Mike is recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry for his work as a patient advocate.

Join visual artist Denise Laurin as she discusses how to focus on a positive mindset and envision the possibilities of a creative career path - even during economic downturns. About Denise: Denise Laurin-Donatelle is an artist, art educator, mentor and art historian. She has exhibited widely throughout the Chicago area at Triangle Gallery, The Fine Arts Building Gallery, Chicago Art Open, The Chicago Cultural Center, and many other locations. In 2009, she relocated to New York City, returning to Illinois in 2014. While in New York, she exhibited her work at a number of venues and led a group show under the sponsorship of the Museum of Modern Art. A constant in Denise’s work is the emphasis on the figure, particularly that of the dancer, to express the universal idea of moving from darkness into light. Her media include graphite, charcoal, pastel, oil painting, gold leaf, collage and digital. Through her business, Living Creatively, she teaches academic realism in drawing and painting. She believes art is integral to life and guides her students to greater skill and sense of accomplishment through art. In addition to art instruction, Denise provides art presentations and mentoring through the SEA Satira platform. Prior to her fine art practice, she managed a graphic design business and won numerous local and national awards for her work. She was honored as “Woman of the Year” by Women in Design/Chicago for her excellence in design and for the example she set for other designers with her approach to work/life balance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in studio art and art history, and a Masters of Arts in art history from Northern Illinois University. For more info: www.livingcreatively.info