I just graduated school with an MFA in ceramics and I'd like to know where I can look to learn about opening my own studio. Are there any websites that may assist me? I want to have a couple electric kilns, a gas kiln and maybe
10 wheels or so. I also have to find the right facility to house these items, do you have any suggestions for me?Thanks, Craig - Tulsa, OK
"Muuurgh" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@uni-berlin.de:
I would suggest the first thing you do is write out a detailed business plan, budgets and cost the whole project out. And ask yourself 'How much do I want to make a year?" Do I have $20,000 - $40,000 of capital to put into the business? If your project can not meet these expectations, Why go ahead with it?
If you are still going ahead after you have done this, ask yourself "Who is my target market?" What is my product range and is there a market for it?'Once you have answered these you will know where to put your studio.
What you need to start with is a small workshop or a shared workshop, a wheel and a kiln or hire kiln space and develop your line of pottery.
I'll ask you a question. How many potters do you know or know of who make a living at their craft? The good people on this site will soon tell you.
John W
Actually the potter studio is in conjunction with a new art program at my church. We are offering painting (watercolor, oil, acrylic), drawing, pastel, drama, music (guitar, piano, drums, theory, comp. etc) We'd also like to offer ceramics and printmaking (ceramics is my forte, so I need to figure out at least some rental situation--eventually owning our own facilities). I'm looking into renting studio space for the ceramics, but the studios want to pay me as a teacher and take the students I bring in for themselves, which isn't an option seeing that it is part of a larger program. I am currently writing a budget for the whole program, high and low end. I honestly don't think that we can afford to build a brand new studio right off the bat but I will plug it any way, perhaps we can.
Where can I look for small business tips, where should I order supplies for the school--Nasco, Dick Blick? Where should I purchase ceramics supplies?
Thanks, Craig
Why don't you start on the more simple side in the basement of your Church (or some unused room)? Start with one electric kiln (vent and kiln furniture), a slab roller and a couple of wheels. Use one base glaze
Having been a student with 3 different teachers over the past 3 years, I want to just add a hearty YES! to the suggestion of starting more low-tech!
The first course was just for hand-building. Another was for both wheel or hand-building, but of 6 different students, only 2 were really interested in the wheel. At my latest course - of 4-5 different students I have seen over the past half year (it is a drop-in-when-you-want course), I am the ONLY one interested in the wheel. So definately see how the demand is before investing in a whole lot of wheels!! .... and consider buying used wheels as well. If people are just learning, they won't be turning 20-50 pounds of clay at a time anytime soon :-)
Just my 2 bits
Marianne
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