Entrepreneur began with the creative

Social Enterprise is a natural fit for creative individuals. It's where intuition meets logic in a heady mix of creativity, passion, ingenuity, business sense and hard work. But it certainly isn't an easy path. 

I was lucky enough to be involved in the founding of the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Network; an ego-less industry led group that was all about raising awareness of social enterprise and both the benefits and challenges. This coupled with my work studying the Tasmanian social enterprise sector as a Research Associate with the Institute for Regional Development provided me with a great opportunity to explore my own ideas and those of many other passionate individuals. It also resulted in the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study and was followed a year later by the publication Stories of Social Enterprises. 

With a change of government and massive shift in support for social enterprise over the last few years, the focus has moved away from the social enterprise model. Although, it is a challenge for anyone wanting any financial assistance, it actually leaves those who are absolutely committed to the idea of matching a social mission with entrepreneurial practices to make change.

Last week I was thrilled to deliver an Introduction to Social Enterprise Workshop to a group of individuals working on major projects funded via Tasmanian Medicare Local. 



It reminded me of the opportunities in exploring social enterprise and thinking outside the square and I like that. 

The aim is to provide future workshops, so drop me a line if you or your organisation are interested.

Branching Out

It's been a fantastic opportunity to work on the Branching Out social enterprise project. It's identified the needs of regional artists and arts organisations, while researching the opportunities that social enterprise can present. With a fantastic team, we have managed to stretch the project well into 2011 with some excellent outcomes for Tasmanian Regional Arts and the pilots involved in the project.

While the project is wrapping up in the next couple of weeks, I will be continuing to work with Tasmanian Regional Arts in an entrepreneurial role, working with individuals, groups and organisations to look for opportunities to build capacity. This links beautifully with the work I have been doing with individual artists.
It's so often about accessing the resources to progress an idea. We are currently finalising a report that outlines the activities and outcomes from the project. It will also come with some recommendations for how social enterprise can fit with the arts. It's certainly not an easy path, however, it does bring an opportunity to reflect on practices and look for new and innovative approaches. I feel very privileged to be working with such creative individuals and organisations.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE and the ARTS

I have finally got over the jet lag after being in the US for a week blogging at the World Social Enterprise Conference 2010 in San Francisco. Public art everywhere and a highlight was going to SFMOMA (Museum of Modern Art) to see works by Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Lichenstein and Jeff Koons - Michael Jackson and chimp statue. Gawdy but great!


So, does Social Enterprise have anything to offer the arts. I think so.
In fact art is often a key ingredient and engagement tool for working with some of the most disadvantaged people and communities throughout the world. It has also served as a mechanism for profiling cultural issues, such as current exhibition to raise funds to save 10 Murray Street in Hobart.

PRACTICALLY ART

Over the past 12 months I have been privileged to work with a number of visual and performing artists, designers and community arts groups. Often the issues that they are facing are similar; how to build their arts business, how to make money, how to be better at what they do, how to promote their art or how to build their audiences.

The tricky part to this equation is that often there is little money and assistance available to make things happen. This is not just a frustration for the artists and performers.