Professional Development | Art & Business Strategist
Presentations, Workshops, Coaching & Consulting
Fluent in both Art and Business!
For Artists:
I lend my passionate pragmatism to a community practice, helping artists and creative entrepreneurs develop sustainable careers. Using curriculum development, workshops, lectures, community building, and one-on-one mentoring, I have worked with hundreds of individual artists of all disciplines to develop strategies and business skills to support their practices. I hope to empower artists to live the life they choose, always leading by example.
For Businesses, Organizations & Municipalities:
With my perspective as a practicing artist, stories from the artists I have worked with, and a guiding principle that the artist must be at the center of a strong arts ecosystem, I work with municipalities, organizations, and businesses to develop strategies, programs, and policy to support individual artists. Most notably, I partnered with Kansas City, MO, the Kansas City Economic Development Council, and AltCap: Alternative Capital for Community Impact to develop and launch the first artist-centered microlending program in the country. Most recently, I developed the Creative Economy Initiative for Bravo Greater Des Moines, a comprehensive action plan for the support of individual artists living and working in the Des Moines, Iowa area.
Contact me to discuss how we might work together.
Partial Client List
“Chris Dahlquist shares solid, practical, and professional advice that motivates artists to transform their artistic careers into successful businesses that nurture their creative and personal lives. Drawing upon a deep reservoir of real-life experience and knowledge about the specific needs of artists today, Dahlquist openly and thoughtfully shares her skills to help artists navigate their careers and goals.”
“Participating in the ASK program is the single best thing I have done for myself as an artist. Chris has given me a path to discover and put words to what I really want for my career and permission (that I didn’t even realize I needed) to make that career look however I want it to. I am so excited to see what the future holds going forward with the power to design my own trail.”
“Thank you, thank you, and thank you for helping make our 2014 [ZAPP national] conference a big success! I have heard from so many people that your presentation was the most relevant and helpful of the entire event!”
“Chris Dahlquist blows away the stereotypes that artists can’t deal with the business side of their practice. With an ever-present eye on the strategic plans she has for her practice, Chris has developed extraordinary systems for the marketing and distribution of her own work. Not only has she done this for herself, but she is an excellent mentor to other fine artists seeking to do the same with their fine arts practices.”
“Chris provides the perfect critique based on her own years of experience and hard work combined with seeing what has worked well for numerous other artists of varying backgrounds and temperaments. She was able to see immediately where I was spinning my wheels, and direct me back to the road. She had some valuable ideas and tools for how to save time and effort on the business side of art so I can spend more time with creating. Glad I took notes in our meeting together because I am constantly going back and referring to her words of wisdom!”
In the Press:
Article from ZAPP about Chris prior to her 2018 presentation at their national conference.
New Joint Venture Launched to Empower Creative Entrepreneurs – Des Moines Partnership
