UW to Announce WIP Creative Economy Start Up Challenge Winners

University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel will announce the winners of the Investing in Wyoming's Creative Economy Start Up Challenge Thursday, July 18, at UW's Neltje Center for Excellence in Creativity and the Arts.

Ten creative startup efforts will be awarded $25,000 each to support their arts-focused enterprises.

Last fall, the Neltje Center, along with community college partners Sheridan College and Northwest College, received $1.1 million from the Wyoming Innovation Partnership's (WIP) entrepreneurship program for "artsWork," an innovative initiative focused on supporting and investing in Wyoming's creative economy. The program consisted of workshops, mentorship and professional development for artists and creatives throughout the state engaged in and seeking to produce arts-focused businesses or nonprofits.

Workshops were held in Laramie, Sheridan, Fort Washakie, Powell and Rock Springs and were open by application to anyone statewide. The startup challenge was highly competitive.

One hundred people participated in the workshops in fields ranging from filmmaking to theater, music, writing and the visual arts, and each was eligible to compete for the startup challenge funding. Sixty-two people applied with letters of intent about their arts-focused enterprises. Thirty were selected by a panel to move to the next phases: a pitch presentation and arts-focused enterprise plan.

The goals of the startup challenge are to support arts-related enterprises based in Wyoming, benefit multiple communities in Wyoming and benefit the state's creative economy. Through this program, the Neltje Center has raised awareness about the deep enthusiasm and dedication Wyoming's creatives have for their communities.

"This program has allowed us to elevate and recognize the great creative talent that exists all across Wyoming. A thriving creative economy is essential to our communities, and these artists are eager to turn their growing arts practices into more ambitious enterprises for the benefit of all," says Beth Venn, executive director of the Neltje Center and leader of this WIP entrepreneurship grant initiative.

Applications were judged by a panel along the following criteria:

Community Benefit -- The arts-focused enterprise will have a positive impact on the community it serves and the creative economy of Wyoming. The arts-focused enterprise demonstrates innovation, access to the arts, artistic excellence or an increase in influence of the arts.

"Wow" Factor -- The arts-focused enterprise offers a solution, experience, innovation or outcome that will bring positive attention to the applicant, their community and Wyoming.

Path for Implementation -- The applicant has a well-researched and attainable plan for implementing the arts-focused enterprise, clearly articulated milestones and a method to measure the impact of activities.

Sustainability -- The applicant demonstrates how the arts-focused enterprise can continue its existence or function beyond the startup stage, including financial sustainability.

Team -- The applicant or applicant team has the knowledge, skills and commitment to implement the arts-focused enterprise.

The people receiving funding will continue to connect with the Neltje Center about their progress over the next year.

All 100 program participants are encouraged to continue to develop their artistic practices and their arts-focused enterprises. The Neltje Center will continue to offer mentorship appointments through August and opportunities for all artsWork program participants to continue to network.

Throughout the artsWork program, opportunities were created for participants to learn from arts and business experts statewide and from across the country. Workshops were held on topics including fundraising, choosing a business format, community outreach and community engagement. A directory of project participants was created to foster connectivity and even future collaborations.

To learn more about artsWork, visit www.uwyo.edu/as/wip.html.

To learn more about the Neltje Center, visit www.uwyo.edu/as/neltje-center/index.html.

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