Saturday, December 5, 2009

The Biz Plan Buzz: Writing a Business Plan for Artists


Depending on the amount of time and energy you want to put into your business plan and how you choose to use it, you can either create a mini-plan like one on a napkin or a full blown, full-sized plan. If you’re just starting out, I recommend that you create a mini plan which can always be upgraded to a full-size plan as your needs and your career plans change.

The rock band GWAR meets regularly with a financial officer to go over the specifics of their own business plan which now includes, after renting for many years, buying their own studio space where they’ll be able produce video, own a music label, have health insurance, and keep creating their renowned sculpture and stage shows. As GWAR’s Dave Brockie says, “With this plan, at the end of the day, we’re underground Gods with the most dangerous, most authentic artistic movement ever created.”

Whether you choose to go the mini-plan route or the full-size plan, you can use either to:
  • Attract the attention of a sponsor or patron
  • Get a grant or a bank loan
  • Predict a travel or tour budget
  • Be a magnet to generate excitement on a project
  • Give your creative life some order




Dave Brockie is a musician and performance artist who is best known for his portrayal of Oderus in the American thrash metal/punk rock band GWAR which he helped found. The band, which has appeared on The Jerry Springer Show, The Joan Rivers Show, and Viva la Bam is best known for their elaborate Sci-Fi horror costumes and graphic, politically and satirically-inspired stage performances that include spraying their audiences with imitation fluids. Brockie lives in Richmond, VA. www.gwar.net.

1 comment:

  1. I believe business plan's are very important, especially if you want to enter a Business Plan Competition. We recently wrote an article in our resource section that corresponds to your point.

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