Creative Courses for Entrepreneurs at RiverzEdge
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Leave it to one of RI's most innovative social service organizations for youth to see an opportunity to serve RI's grown-ups, as well.
RiverzEdge Arts Project, a Northern RI social enterprise and youth development program, turns to local businesses and workers that may be looking for a new way to gain an edge in this challenging economy with tools to self sufficiency in marketing and design.
A new Arts & Business Opportunity Center
RIverzEdge's Arts & Business Opportunity Center will offer classes, speaker series, trainings and technical assistance programs targeting specific community needs. “Small business development, and even micro-enterprises launched from home, are a known effective economic development strategy for low-income and limited English proficiency populations,” says Rebekah Greenwald Speck, Executive Director at RiverzEdge. “But there are far too few educational opportunities in our area that actually meet the needs of the local population which includes artists, entrepreneurs and displaced workers from a wide variety of backgrounds.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Center will offer three new courses beginning this December: Introduction to Print Design, Introduction to Web Design, and Ready, Set, Blog!
Skills to compete in a global marketplace
“We’re really interested in helping people develop the skills to compete in a global marketplace utilizing the resources they have available to them," says Andrea Cacase, RiverzEdge DesignWorks Director and one of the instructors of the new programs, "which in many cases is just a computer in their office or even living room. Just as we have been doing for some time for clients who purchase web design services from RiverzEdge, we are now providing training to the community that helps people take control of their output and their futures.”
“Not everyone can afford the cost of a high-quality We bsite, but everyone needs one,” adds Dionte Noble, the newest member of the RiverzEdge design team. “We’re here to teach and empower!”
The first round of programs, starting this December, includes basic tools and rapid skills development for immediate application. Scholarships may be available. Winter Classes include:
Ready, Set, Blog! - $120
, Saturdays, Dec 3rd & Dec 10th
9am - 12pm
Introduction to Print Design - $240,
Mondays, Jan 9th – Feb 13th
6:30 - 8:30pm
Introduction to Web Design - $240, Tuesdays, Jan 11th – Feb 15th
6:30 - 8:30pm
Upcoming programs and technical assistance offered in partnership with Social Venture Partners RI, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, RI Small Business Development Center and others will cover such topics as social media, on and off line tools for starting and running profitable businesses on a budget, funding your new venture and other skills building classes from the creative community at RiverzEdge. More information on these and other services can be found at www.riverzedgearts.org.
For more Business & Arts coverage, check out GoLocalTV, fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.
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