The Craft Business Institute (CBI), based in Baltimore, Maryland and formerly directed by The Rosen Group, has changed its status to a non-profit organization and has been renamed the Arts Business Institute (ABI). The restructured ABI has appointed John Iverson, co-founder of Santa Fe Stoneworks, as executive director.
Iverson, who holds an MBA from the University of Toronto, has more than 20 years experience in the craft industry. As a founder of Santa Fe Stoneworks, one of the most successful production crafts studios in the country, he was a 1991 NICHE award winner for outstanding achievement in American craft. Iverson, a past Craft Business Institute lecturer, is a member of the board of directors for a variety of companies as well as a published author.
The Business Institute was created to help craftspeople, students and recent graduates hone their business skills through an annual three-day retreat which featured conferences, workshops and lectures lead by arts and craft professionals. Attendees gain real-world knowledge about product development, pricing, public relations, accounting, wholesaling and retailing, and more.
The restructured ABI will continue the annual retreats in a variety of locations, but will also develop custom-content courses and web-based distance learning facilities. In addition, the scope of the ABI has been expanded to include artists other than craft makers, as well as others within the arts and crafts community. As a full-time, year-round organization, the ABI will be pursuing partnering opportunities with other arts organizations and schools. In its initial stages, the ABI will focus on generating financial support to offset pre-operating expenses prior to the formal development of fundraising efforts.
For information on making a tax-deductible contribution to the Arts Business Institute, please contact John Iverson at john@jiverson.com
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