Artist Professional Development

Professional Development Workshops

The DAC is pleased to host free monthly professional development workshops for artists. Covering a different topic each month, our workshops give artists the tools to develop and advance their careers in the arts. All workshops are free and open to the public. Virtual workshops do require registration to receive a link to the event. 

Upcoming Workshops

January 2025 - The Art of Tinkering and the Transformative Power of Play

Previous Workshops

February 2024 - Intro to Grant Writing for Artists (PDF, 915kb)
January 2024 - Incorporate Your Own Non-Profit as a 501(c)(3)
December 2023 - Improv for Building a Resilient Mindset: Navigating Tension and Uncertainty Through Collaboration and Support
November 2023 - Speak Truth to Power: Creativity, Advocacy, and Our Collective Future
October 2023 - Working Together: Retooling our Framework for Collaborating
September 2023 - Markets 101 (PDF, 1.8mb) Future Fronts Creative Resource Guide (PDF, 111kb)
July 2023 - Techniques for Integrating Nature into your Abstract Art Practice with Alicia Philley 
June 2023 - Social Media Marketing for Artists (PDF, 570kb)
May 2023 - Exhibition Preparation for Artists
April 2023 - The Art of Public Speaking
March 2023 - Content Creation for Organic Growth
February 2023 - The Art of Taxes
May 2021 - Creating an Artist Business Plan (PDF, 3.5mb) video
March 2021 - Developing Creative Momentum (video series)
February 2021 - Photographing Your Work (PDF, 4mb) video
January 2021 - Developing Virtual Performances
December 2020 - Social Media for Artists
November 2020 - Curating a Virtual Exhibit
October 2020 - Legal Essentials for Online Sales
September 2020 - POSTPONED: Preparing and Hanging Artwork for Exhibition
August 2020 - Financial Planning and Health Coverage with Foundation Communities
July 2020 - How to Feel Like You Have Enough
June 2020 - POSTPONED: Social Media for Artists
May 2020 - POSTPONED: Trademarks for Artists
April 2020 - POSTPONED: Austin Artist Orientation Resource Guide (PDF, 7.1mb)
March 2020 - Selling Your Work through Galleries and Online Platforms
February 2020 - Grants & Funding for Artists (PDF, 2.18mb) video
January 2020 - The Art of Taxes (PDF, 576kb) video
January 2020 - Art Fair Bootcamp (PDF, 741kb) video
December 2019 - Artist Self Care 
November 2019 - Health Insurance for Artists (PDF, 895kb)
October 2019 - The Online Application Process (PDF, 1.0mb)
September 2019 - Collaborating: The Artist Dating Game
August 2019 - Crowdfunding for Artists
July 2019 - Networking to Build Your Audience
June 2019 - Sales Tax for Artists
May 2019 - Preparing a Visual Portfolio (PDF, 619kb)
April 2019 - Photographing Your Work
March 2019 - Budgeting for Artists
February 2019 - Pricing Your Art
January 2019 - Strategic Social Media (PDF, 1.25mb)
December 2018 - The Art of Taxes
November 2018 - Owning Your Work: Copyright Laws
October 2018 - Grants & Funding for Artists (PDF, 1.82mb)
September 2018 - Working with Galleries (PDF, 77kb)
August 2018 - Building Your Audience (PDF, 243kb)
July 2018 - Selling Your Work Online (PDF, 530kb)
June 2018 - Preparing a Visual Portfolio (PDF, 93kb)
May 2018 - Photographing Your Work (PDF, 948kb)
April 2018 - Writing Your Artist Statement (PDF, 329kb)
March 2018 - Beginners Social Media for Artists (PDF, 191kb)
February 2018 - Becoming a City of Austin Teaching Artist (PDF, 247kb)
January 2018 - The Online Application Process (PDF, 173kb)

Greater Austin Clay Artists

The Dougherty Arts Center is proud to collaborate with Greater Austin Clay Artists (GACA), an informal network of ceramic artists working in the Austin area who are committed to sharing a passion for clay and offering opportunities for professional and artistic development. GACA monthly meetings are focused on sharing information about clay, networking with fellow clay artists, and include demonstrations from area artists or feature artist professional development topics. Meetings are free and open to the public, and will be held at the Dougherty Arts Center.

To learn more, visit https://www.austinclay.org/home or email greateraustinclayartists@gmail.com

Public Artist Training Program 2024

Registration for the Spring 2024 Public Artist Training Program is closed.

Learn about the field of public art, including the production of artworks for public places, proposal preparation, an overview of artist budgeting, and considerations for site selection and installation of art. Over the course of six weeks, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the Public Art application process, receive support guidance by professional artists in the field, and develop their own package for use in applying for public art commissions.    

For more information please contact DACinfo@austintexas.gov. 

Visual Artist Residency

The Visual Artist Residency Program provides visual artists with the space, facilities, time and professional interaction that will foster and further develop their ideas, skills, abilities, and focus as practicing artists. This is a work exchange program where resident artists are invited to create outreach opportunities within our community such as teaching workshops, giving public presentations, critiques and monitoring our independent study program and open studio hours.

For more information visit our Visual Artist Residency page. 

Emerging Teaching Artists

Bring your passion for art and creative gifts to schools and children – become a teaching artist! MINDPOP and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Museums and Cultural Programs are excited to offer the Emerging Teaching Artists program (ETA). The purpose of ETA is to increase the number of artists of color and artists with disabilities working in classrooms across Austin.  Applications are currently closed, for more information please contact julia.vunderink@mindpop.org. 

Artist Resource Center

The Artist Resource Center is a place for emerging and established artists of all mediums to engage and collaborate. Functioning as a no cost meeting and research space for the arts community, the Artist Resource Center offers the tools for creatives to develop and advance their careers in the arts.  

Amenities Include:

• Community bulletin board with artist opportunities and events
• Free wifi
• 60" LCD TV with HDMI connection
• Charging stations
• Artist Resource Library

This is a shared workspace, no reservations are necessary. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 10am to 10pm, Fridays 10am to 6pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. The Artist Resource Center is occasionally closed to general use for Dougherty events and classes.