Booking With Katie Kirchner
(Michigan Music Alliance)
1:00 – 1:50 PM
Katie Kircher, a talent manager and booking agent with Katie K Wrangles, will discuss the booking process for artists, including how to get an agent, what metrics to track, how to pitch, and more. She also will highlight tools and resources for independent artists, EPKs, and venue outreach and tracking.
Unlocking Artist Funding Basics: Grants, Sponsorships, and More With Cindy McSurely
(Michigan Music Alliance)
1:00 – 1:50 PM
Cindy McSurely, a nonprofit consultant and Michigan Music Alliance board member, will provide valuable insights about various funding opportunities for artists. The workshop will cover grants, fiscal sponsorships, residencies, and fellowships, including guidance on how to start researching these opportunities. Participants will work with the Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists workbook from Springboard for the Arts, along with other resources.
Note: Please bring a laptop. Visit Springboard for the Arts to receive a free digital download of the workbook and mention “Michigan Music Alliance” when asked how you heard about it.
Start Your LLC With Chris Newberg
(Michigan Music Alliance)
2:00 – 2:50 PM
Chris Newberg, a Michigan business lawyer/entertainer and Michigan Music Alliance board member, will offer insight into the various business and legal entities available to musicians and the steps needed to set up a formal company. He also will walk through filing for a Michigan LLC, getting an Employee Identification Number, and putting together an operating agreement.
Note: Be sure to bring a laptop and notebook along with existing documentation and specific questions about your business. If you plan to apply for an LLC at the session, please come prepared to pay the $50 registration fee directly to the State of Michigan via their online portal.
Social Media and Branding With Sadie Quagliotto
(Hip In Detroit)
2:00 – 2:50 PM
Sadie Quagliotto, a social media manager/educator, marketing consultant, brand strategist, and co-owner/director of Hip in Detroit, will highlight the state of social media in 2024 and explore how to use it to connect with your community. Learn how to manage social media, market your brand, and reach new fans and customers.
Live Podcast Recording with Bad Idea Social Club
3:10 – 4:20 PM
Aaron McCall, freelance graphic designer, independent artist and host of Bad Idea Social Club, along with co-hosts Joe Matteson and Amber Gray will talk with GIG 2024 featured artist Craig Horky. Be part of a fun and intriguing conversation about creativity, life, and everything in between. As the Bad Idea Social Club tagline goes “It’s for growers and showers and failures and friends”. Be prepared to laugh out loud and learn.
Media Mixer with Jennifer Westwood
(Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils)
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Jennifer Westwood, award winning songwriter/musician and radio host for “Your Americana”(WAKT-FM 106.1), and super fan for all things Michigan music, will host our Media Mixer. Network with artists, media reps, industry pros, and music fans from across the state. Learn about resources and opportunities to collaborate with others who are anxious to shine a light on the regional music scene. If you are a writer, podcast host, photographer, graphic designer, publicist, booking agent, venue manager or fan, we encourage you to attend, bring your business card, and make some friends.
Jennifer is a Detroit based artist who has shared a stage and recorded with well known hometown musical heroes, including Blue Note Records CEO and producer Don Was, Vin Dombroski (Sponge), Patti Smith, and Johnny Bee Badanjek (Mitch Ryder). She leveraged social media to amplify awareness of the Southeast Michigan music scene, foster community through Music Scene Mixers in support of regional music centric non-profits, and spearheaded a grassroots effort to raise close to $30,000 for local peers impacted by the Covid pandemic.