Founding members of Arts.Biz™ Ltd Lynne Wilkins, Dr Suzette Major, and Anna Connell, have been running workshops and consulting services with artists, both individually and together, for over 15 years. These early workshops showed a growing interest for business training and information that was specific to artists. Demand for such arts business information grew, and finally in 2004 we decided to formalise our work by establishing Arts.Biz™ Ltd.
ArtsBiz™ Ltd has delivered workshops through various funded programmes over the years, and is currently contracted to Work and Income to assist Waikato artists on the Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment (PACE) scheme.
Who are we?
Arts.Biz™ Ltd recognise that the business of being an artist is unique, and all staff are active participants in the creative industries themselves. Current and founding members of Arts.Biz™ are:
Founding member and current Director of Arts.Biz™ Ltd, Lynne is a Chartered Accountant who has established her own practice Bizworx™ Consultancy Ltd Chartered Accountants, based in Raglan and Auckland. A member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1982, Lynne provides our Arts.Biz™ clients with information on key business areas such as tax, costing, pricing, and financial management. Lynne is an experienced business mentor, providing support not just to businesses but also community groups within the creative sector. Lynne actively participates in the creative industries herself, not only through her work with Arts.Biz™ Ltd and her arts clients; but also as a musician, songwriter, and writer. Lynne released a solo CD in 2007 Bead of Glass, and is currently working on a new collection of songs, as well as performing with acoustic "folk jazz" band Twisted Timber.
Collette is a local practising professional artist and art gallery manager with many years experience in the arts industry. She is not only a successful career artist but a business woman in her own right with extensive arts marketing experience, and a successful merchandise range created from her art. Collette has an international audience for her artwork and has her artwork in overseas galleries. A sought after mentor and speaker, she is a popular presenter and motivator within the arts scene.
Founding member Suzette is an international speaker, researcher and author in arts marketing. She has held a range of academic appointments including a senior lectureship at Waikato University, as well as teaching fellowships with Deakin University, Melbourne and Victoria University, Wellington. Suzette sits on a number of community arts committees and is often invited to speak publicly on the New Zealand arts industry. She holds a PhD in arts marketing, and has published work in this field, including papers at the International Conference on Arts & Cultural Management. She currently heads the School of Arts & Design at EIT. Suzette is also a director of Artemiz Ltd - a consulting company in arts marketing and creative industries.
Founding member Anna is currently the Online Community Manager at the Bank of New Zealand. Prior to this Anna was the Partnerships Manager at Auckland Theatre Company. Anna worked as the Marketing Coordinator for Hamilton City Council's Arts and Culture Unit, and has co-lectured ‘Marketing the Arts' at Waikato University, as well as delivering guest lectures at Waikato University, WINTEC, Whitecliff College of Arts and Design and AUT. Anna's experience and study give her an appreciation and knowledge across a broad range of creative practice.
ARTS.BIZ LTD offers workshops, coaching and consulting services for artists interested in developing a career or small business in the creative industries
