# Art & Hustle Workshop Series # Monthly workshops for creatives and arts-entrepreneurs September 2025-January 2026 | 5-7PM ![art and hustle header image](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-08/Screenshot%202025-08-11%20163238.png?itok=8KPpI1TT) *Art & Hustle* is a free monthly workshop series designed for artists, makers, and independent creatives navigating the business side of their practice. Whether you’re just starting out, making a career shift, or leveling up your skills, learn real-world tools tailored to the creative economy. Each evening begins with informal networking and a light dinner in the Crossings Gallery, followed by an expert-led presentation from industry professionals with deep experience in both the arts and career development. Topics range from marketing and pricing to branding, legal essentials, and balancing art with business. **Attend all five and earn a Certificate of Completion.** ## Past Workshops [### December 10 ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/event/effectively-balancing-business-and-art)***Effectively Balancing Business and Art*** with Queen Allotey- Pappoe Art & Ambition: Effectively Balancing Business and Art is designed for creative entrepreneurs who are building something bigger than themselves, yet often struggle with the tension between passion and profitability, creativity and commerce, vision and burnout. In this workshop, Queen Allotey-Pappoe founder and creative director of Queen Adeline, guides fellow creatives through the essential strategies to balance the demands of running a business with nurturing a thriving art practice—and doing so without sacrificing personal well-being. Through Queen’s empowering and practical “BART” framework, participants will learn how to assess their ventures, structure for growth, and build habits that support both economic sustainability and creative excellence. [### January 28 ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/event/introduction-legal-issues-artists)***An Introduction to Legal Issues for Artists*** with Luke Blackadar *Should I set up an LLC? Is my work protected by copyright? Do I need a written contract for all my projects?* If you're a creative looking to build the business of your arts practice, then this workshop is for you! Luke Blackadar, an attorney from the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of MA, will introduce some of the legal issues that are common to creative small businesses. Major topics will include business organizations (sole proprietorships, LLCs, etc.), intellectual property (with an emphasis on copyright law), and contract best practices. This session will also introduce some helpful business habits. Creative workers of all artistic disciplines and at all career stages are welcome. [### September 10 ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/event/making-diy-marketing-plan)PAST EVENT ***Making a DIY Marketing Plan*** with Sarah Dudek and Sara Hartmann As a creative solo entrepreneur, developing a focused marketing plan can feel challenging, and it is often difficult to know where to best concentrate your energy. This workshop is designed to provide the foundational knowledge required to build a strategy that helps you effectively target consumers without wasting valuable time and resources. We will cover key elements such as understanding your target audience and their customer decision-making process. Attendees will also learn how to select the most appropriate marketing and communication channels for their specific goals. The concepts introduced will also serve as a useful primer for upcoming workshops on *Pricing Your Work* (October) and *Branding for Creatives* (November). [### October 8 ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/event/pricing-your-art-and-creative-work)PAST EVENT ***Pricing Your Art and Creative Work*** with Sara Hartmann Pricing your creative work can often feel like one of the most daunting aspects of building a sustainable artistic or design practice. This workshop is designed for artists, designers, and creative freelance entrepreneurs who want to confidently value their talent and services. Sara Hartmann, a faculty of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, will explore key considerations, practical frameworks, and best practices for calculating your prices, alongside strategies for understanding customer price sensitivity and buyer behavior. Learn how to avoid the common traps of underpricing or working solely for "exposure," ensuring your efforts are properly compensated. This workshop aims to help you develop a robust pricing strategy that supports the growth and longevity of both your business and your creative practice. [### November 19 ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/event/branding-creative-business)PAST EVENT ***Branding for Creative Business*** with Sarah Dudek A strong brand is a critical success factor for any creative business. In this workshop presented by Sarah Dudek of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, current and aspiring creative business owners will be exposed to the fundamentals of crafting a brand identity. We’ll explore the process of identifying your unique selling proposition, creating brand guidelines, and communicating your brand in a compelling and consistent manner. Students will leave this workshop with an understanding of what branding can do for their business, and a toolkit for creating their own brand identity. ## About the Presenters ### Sarah Dudek **Sarah Dudek** is an artist, educator, and art director who teaches at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and is the founder of Indestructible Food, a creative business celebrating the history of nonperishable fare. She has developed brand stories for clients including Chevrolet, FAGE Greek Yogurt, American Greetings, and Hyatt Hotels. ![sara dudek holds hot dog phone for portrait](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-08/SDudek%20headshot.jpg?itok=aUZniCmB) ### Sara Hartmann **Sara Hartmann** is a faculty member at Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a background in costume design and digital marketing. She specializes in arts entrepreneurship and professional development for creatives. Since 2019, her programs have served more than 2000 artists and creative entrepreneurs. Photo: Boston Creative Headshots ![Sara Hartmann portrait](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-08/hartmann_headshot3_copy_720.jpg?itok=qwOmQ-gB) ### Queen Allotey-Pappoe Queen Allotey-Pappoe is the founder and creative director of Queen Adeline, a sustainable fashion brand, who has taught about the intersection of sustainability, design, entrepreneurship and empowerment at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Rhode Island School of Design, Boston University, and Suffolk University, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston, and was a featured exhibitor at the Smithsonian’s Craft Optimism. Her collection is featured at the Peabody Essex Museum store. ![Queen Allotey-Pappoe headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-08/Queen_200_Original.JPEG?h=8ec1ac4c&itok=0QiN_Qmg) ### Luke Blackadar Luke Blackadar is Deputy Director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, where he manages the *Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts* and *Patent Pro Bono* programs; he also teaches at Roger Williams University School of Law, BU Metropolitan College, and Northeastern University School of Law, serves on the board of the Community Music School of Boston, and is a member of Governor Maura Healey’s Cultural Policy Development Advisory Council. ![Luke Blackadar headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-08/4AA30585-170A-4892-BC04-D6BD36004A0B%20%285%29.jpg?h=44c47e94&itok=7x8mQ3a4) ## Co-hosted by Massachusetts College of Art and Design in collaboration with Harvard Ed Portal's Workforce and Economic Development and Arts and Culture program teams. ![Mass Art Logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-08/MassArt_Hybrid%20Logo_3_Black.png?itok=LUIrNP0Z) ## Staff [### Marisa Lopez ](/people/marisa-lopez) [marisa\_lopez@harvard.edu](mailto:marisa_lopez@harvard.edu)Workforce & Economic Development ![Marisa Lopez Staff Photo](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/hep/files/marisa-lopez_0.png?itok=99skGoJy) [### Eve Alpern ](/people/eve-alpern) [eve\_alpern@harvard.edu](mailto:eve_alpern@harvard.edu)Arts & Culture ![Eve Alpern Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/hep/files/eve_alpern-headshot_copy_01_1.jpg?itok=xmUazT6z) [### Danielle Easton ](/people/danielle-easton) [danielle\_easton@harvard.edu](mailto:danielle_easton@harvard.edu)Workforce & Economic Development Operations ![Danielle Easton Headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/hep/files/de_headshot_.jpg?itok=rXc-k0bG) [### Gabriella Melchiorri ](/people/gabriella-melchiorri) [gabriella\_melchiorri@harvard.edu](mailto:gabriella_melchiorri@harvard.edu)Arts & Culture Operations ![Gabriella Melchiorri headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/hep/files/gabriella_headshot.jpg?itok=kgvMDS19) [### Lei Zhang ](/people/lei-zhang) [lei\_zhang@harvard.edu](mailto:lei_zhang@harvard.edu)Workforce & Economic Development Operations ![zhang-portrait](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-03/Lei%20Zhang%20headshot.png?itok=Ms3lOXLS)