CIBC Your Art | Your Business

The Nina is a supportive art studio where adult artists with developmental and physical disabilities come to develop their full potential and establish themselves as artists. The CIBC Your Art | Your Business project provided an opportunity for all 200 artists in the Nina Collective to explore the business side of the art world through a series of workshops, panels, and focused activities.

“[The program] gave me a new direction to go in… I learned to think about what inspires me and do more [art] about what inspires me. You have to love what you’re doing and people will see that. It takes a lot of time to make a piece that someone will want to buy.”
– Amanda Bauer, project participant

Over the past six months, the group of participants in CIBC’s Your Art | Your Business program discussed themes of creative entrepreneurship, design, and possibilities for generating an income through art. Through the mentorship of professional ceramicist Amanda Howell and special guest speakers, the group learned about the basics of pricing and marketing their work as well as the option to diversify their business through reproductions and product development. They also explored more abstract concepts of artistic motivation, subjectivity, and how to use their passion to create work that connects with an audience. Please enjoy this exhibition, which reflects that passion.

“CIBC is proud to be part of this important initiative that supports the next generation of leaders and changemakers, in making their ambitions a reality,” said Runa Whitaker, Senior Director, Community & Client Relationships. “Diversity and entrepreneurship are the backbone of our country and Canada’s economic growth and prosperity depend on fostering a more inclusive business landscape.”