Arts Council discusses professional-development workshops for artists and urges advocacy for restored arts funding

Members of the Hillsborough County Arts Council Advisory Board discussed a proposed professional-development program for local artists and a broader push to advocate for restored arts funding during the meeting.

Vanessa Okenan, owner of Eagles Agency and new board member, outlined a proposal that would begin with a high-level networking event featuring arts-industry leaders and be followed by a series of weekly workshops (five workshops over roughly six weeks). Okenan said the curriculum would teach artists practical marketing and business-skills — from branding and social-media strategy to preparing stronger grant applications — and that the Arts Council would seek collaboration with the Tampa Arts Alliance and…