Real Talk: The Business of Being an Artist hosted by Austin EAL

Building a creative practice is one thing. Building a sustainable career is another.

Real Talk: The Business of Being an Artist
Speaker Roundtables hosted by Austin Emerging Arts Leaders

Join Austin Emerging Arts Leaders (EAL) for an interactive workshop focused on the business side of being an artist, the part no one really teaches you.

This event is free and open to anyone.

This is not a panel. This is a Speaker Roundtable experience.

You’ll rotate through small group conversations with artists and industry professionals, getting direct, practical insight on topics like:

• Contracts, intellectual property, and legal essentials
• Public art opportunities, funding, and municipal processes
• Creative entrepreneurship and building a sustainable practice
• Marketing your work and building visibility
• Financials, pricing, and managing your creative business
• Taxes and financial basics for artists

Each session is designed to be conversational, approachable, and useful, with space to ask questions and get real advice.

You’ll talk directly with experts and ask questions about contracts, funding, marketing, financials, and building a path that works for you. Ask your questions and get the answers no one teaches you about being an artist.

Featured Speakers

Marguerite Zamora | Legal + Contracts
Associate attorney working with creatives, helping break down intellectual property, contracts, and how to protect your work.

Bryana Iglesias | Public Art + Funding
Public art project manager sharing how funding, contracts, and city opportunities actually work in practice.

Zuzu | Building Your Art Business + Earning from Your Work
Muralist and creative entrepreneur sharing how to build a sustainable path aligned with your vision and values.

Zach Zulch | Marketing Your Work
Co-founder of Almost Real Things, focused on building visibility, audience, and creative ecosystems.

Vincent Tomasino | Financials + Taxes
Enrolled Agent helping artists navigate taxes and build stronger financial foundations.

Whether you’re just starting out or already working professionally, this is a chance to learn, connect, and gain insight directly from working creatives and professionals.

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Austin Emerging Arts Leaders