75 computer geeks, 15 non-profits, 1 amazing weekend

Although many small and medium sized arts organizations are aware of the need to improve their technology, branding, web sites and e-marketing, often times it simply isn’t possible given the understaffed and undercapitalized nature of these nonprofit businesses.  Many times organizations with annual budgets under $500,000 have only 2 or 3 full time employees, whose primary duties include creating and delivering content or programming, managing the day to day business, human resource management, grants management  and other fundraising.  While strategic plans and other long term visions may identify the need to improve an organization’s technology, in real life it is often something that gets shelved and never really addressed properly.  I understand how this can be frustrating to nonprofit professionals; when I worked for a small arts nonprofit it took months sometimes to even update our web site or work out all the kinks of an E-newsletter system. 

Well, thanks to the folks at GiveCamp  nonprofits can receive some tech support at an event being held July 16 – 18.  Perhaps your nonprofit hasn’t  had a chance to get a web site started, or maybe you need a bit of office automation…like keeping track of your volunteer or donor registration lists, for example.  Well, that’s where Cleveland GiveCamp comes in.  Over the weekend of July 16-18^th about 75 computer professionals will camp out (yes, in tents!) in Downtown Cleveland to perform pro bono custom programming projects for about 15 nonprofits across Northeastern Ohio.  The only real constraint is to select a project that can be completed that weekend and turned over to your organization.  GiveCamp’s  team of volunteer analysts will work with you to discuss your request and define what a project team can do for you during the event. 

Camp Out Details – The event is being held at LeanDog corporate headquarters located at 1151 North Marginal Road Cleveland, OH 44114.  Doors open on Friday at 4 p.m. followed by the GiveCamp kick-off and dinner for project teams and nonprofits.  Saturday and Sunday our work starts at 8 a.m., and the weekend concludes with a reception/celebration on Sunday at 5 p.m.  For more information and to fill out an application for your nonprofit, please visit Cleveland GiveCamp’s Web site.

Made in the 216

What is an arts entrepreneur?  Is it someone who simply hangs out their shingle and sells their goods or services to the public, or does operating as an entrepreneur in the arts require a more broad skill set, capacity for collaboration and creative thinking than one would normally associate with simply running a business?  Is there an onus on the artist entrepreneur to bring fresh new ideas to the marketplace or business community?  Some argue that the entrepreneur is an innovator, generating fresh ideas, while others say the entrepreneur is an organizer who can act as a catalyst.  I would argue that the artist entrepreneur must embody all of these qualities and more. 

The Cleveland area is ripe with artist entrepreneurs; several hundred members of the COSE Arts Network identify themselves as entrepreneurs or small arts-business owners.  Several hundred artists have taken the Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute since CPAC founded it 8 years ago.  Business training, best practices, professional development and networking are no longer dirty words in the arts community, and many artists, designers, musicians, dancers and writers are realizing that a healthy balance of artistry and business acumen will not diminish their artistic integrity, but rather create a solid foundation to support their artistic vision. 

One such Cleveland entrepreneur has for many years supported other working artists, designers and artisans by organizing and presenting showcase events called Made in the 216.  As the name implies, the event “touts the design community of Cleveland and supports those that have chosen to stay and base their creative endeavors right here in the 216.”

Danielle DeBoe, owner of Room Service, and the creator and operator of the Made in the 216, designed her events to look like a fun and engaging retail space, where guests can see the products of over 60 artists and designers, enjoy food by local restaurants and hear the talents of local bands and DJs.  These events are outgrowths from her own retail lifestyle boutique, and naturally are a form to marketing that business, but more importantly the events give energy and a platform to local designers, artists and musicians to convene and celebrate the great talent here in NE Ohio.  It takes a selfless type of entrepreneur who understands that a rising tide lifts all boats to take on an endeavor such as Made in the 216.  Check it out this weekend!