Creative Chicago Expo 2007 Podcasts

The Creative Chicago Expo began in 2003 as an affordable housing expo for artists.  It has grown into a day-long showcase of resources, programs, and tools for artists in all disciplines as well as an intensive opportunity to connect with peers and potential collaborators.

The 2007 Expo took place on April 21, and attracted over 2,500 visitors. That year, the Expo featured the popular "Conversations on Creativity" series, which you can listen to below.

Conversations on Creativity:

Conversations on Creativity 1: Martin Atkins (Invisible Records) + Rob Ray (Deadtech)

Conversations on Creativity 2: Jim Lasko (Redmoon Theater) + Katrina Markoff (Vosges Haut-Chocolat)

Conversations on Creativity 3: Nick Cave (Visual Artist) + Jennifer Reeder (Video Artist)


Workshops:

Convenient Truths: Practical Energy Efficiency (1, 2)
John Porterfield
Informed Energy Decisions
John Porterfield of Informed Energy Detectives will discuss comprehensive energy solutions for residences and businesses. The presentation will focus on practical actions you can take to reduce energy use, and make the best use of performance tests so that you can match improvements to your space to what’s really going on with air leakage, high bills, discomfort and other inconvenient truths.

Do I own that? Protecting your intellectual property (1, 2)
Darren S. Cahr, and Shawna M. Doran
DrinkerBiddleGardnerCarton
Darren S. Cahr, and Shawna M. Doran of DrinkerBiddleGardnerCarton lead this workshop covering the basics of copyright and intellectual property for artists, film makers, musicians and fashion designers. They will cover what you need to know, how to find it, when you need a lawyer, and what to be most careful of in terms of common pitfalls and getting ripped off. Time permitting they will also cover music publishing and rights, licensing designs, and general contract do's and don'ts.

Everything you always wanted to know about Insurance (1, 2)
Stephen Paczolt
Paczolt Financial Group
Insurane expert Stephen Paczolt will lead this workshop exploring all forms of insurance that could apply to the visual and performing arts community. Topics will include definitions, terms, exclusions, forms and types. Also discussed will be liability, contracts, certificates of insurance, additional insured, and independent contractors vs. employees.

Financing a “for profit” creative business (1, 2)
Jason Felger
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
Whether you're a fashion designer, visual artist, musician, or other creative, there are several ways to finance your practice. From "angels" to e-loans, learn about the many ways to fund your projects and practice.

Finding and purchasing live / work / presenting space
Melissa Stanley
Niche Realty
Melissa Stanley of Niche Realty leads this workshop, which will be a guide for finding, purchasing, or renting live/work space in Chicago. With specific information on where to look for properties, what to look for in a property, how to get financing or a beneficial rental agreement. Zoning and building issues will also be addressed.

Forming a non-profit organization (1, 2)
William Rattner, Esq.
Lawyers for the Creative Arts
William Rattner of the Lawyers for the Creative Arts provides an overview of the pros and cons to starting a non-profit; the process and some recurring operating issues you should be aware of. Also covered in detail are how to obtain a 501(c)(3) tax exemption and how to maintain tax exempt status.

Funding and financing a non-profit
Jason Felger
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
Non-profit art businesses have unique opportunities as well as specific procedures they need to follow to fundraise effectively. Whether you're a theater company, gallery or performance space, or an artists project or co-op, there are many ways to get grants as well as create "earned income."

How to end the credit blues: Re-building your financial health
Warren Davis
UCAN Real Estate Consulting
Warren Davis of People’s Choice will lead this workshop aimed at those who have experienced problems with their credit in the past and would like to learn how to move forward and eventually get a mortgage.

Legalities of home ownership, commercial and live/work space
William Pecquet
Attorney at Law
Issues involving purchasing in partnership and zoning issues faced by artists that want to live and work in their place of residence will be presented with a legal perspective by William Pecquet, Attorney at Law.

Moving from rental to ownership: How can I get a mortgage?
Chicago Department of Housing
Chicago Department of Housing staff will review the beginning steps you can take to get a City sponsored mortgage with an upfront grant of 4 percent of the loan amount to cover down payment and closing costs.

So you want to work in schools... (1, 2)
Arnold Aprill
Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE)
Artists and arts organizations that want to work in schools often don’t know how to respond to public school culture or how to plan and share programming that meets the learning needs of students. Arnold Aprill from the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) will walk participants through the process of developing a meaningful relationship with schools.

What is a Business Plan? (1, 2)
Joseph Roberts
Arts Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia College
The business plan is your road map to successfully establishing your arts based business. This workshop focuses on the basic elements of a business plan, and why you might need one as a for-profit enterprise or a non-profit organization. It will take you through the process of creating a business plan. Various financing options will also be discussed.