Workshops, Clinics & Special Events

We offer affordable professional development workshops for creatives and arts administrators.

Tuition is waived for those facing financial hardship. Contact us to request a scholarship. Our webinars use Zoom’s automated captions (also known as live transcription) feature. For in-person workshops, American Sign Language interpreters and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

“ADULTING” FOR ARTISTS: SMART SKILLS FOR CREATIVE CAREERS
Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 12pm-1pm – FREE
Online via Zoom
Presented by VLAA’s 2026 Summer Associates, this FREE one-hour webinar reveals practical skills and habits that creatives of any discipline can adopt to streamline the business side of their arts practice. If you have trouble finding time to stay organized, or if you feel like your creative business could be better organized, this webinar is for you!

VLAA x KIDS IN THE ARTS DISTRICT – SCAVENGER HUNT!
Saturday, August 8, 2026 @ 9am-11am – FREE
High Low Listening Room, 3301 Washington Avenue in St. Louis City
Presented by VLAA’s 2026 Summer Associates, this FREE one-hour webinar reveals practical skills and habits that creatives of any discipline can adopt to streamline the business side of their arts practice. If you have trouble finding time to stay organized, or if you feel like your creative business could be better organized, this webinar is for you!

CLICK FOR MORE INFO ABOUT KIDS IN THE ARTS DISTRICT

“STORM REFLECTIONS” Journaling Meetup
Thursday, August 13, 4pm – 6pm – FREE
Be Well Cafe and Market, 2027 Salisbury Street, St. Louis, MO 63107
VLAA co-sponsors Storm Reflections, a guided journaling experience exploring our relationships with storms—the fear, awe, grief, resilience, and multitude of emotions that they can carry. Inspired by the ongoing recovery in North St. Louis after the May 2025 tornado, this gathering invites us to reflect on storms while remembering that recovery is a collective effort. Facilitated by writer and VLAA Community Engagement Consultant, Arkayla TH. Attendees will receive their own new journal courtesy of VLAA.

VLAA x LEVITT VIBE CONCERT SERIES
Thursday, August 23, 5pm-8pm – FREE
Phillip Lucier Park, 5501 Delmar Blvd at Hamilton in University City
The Levitt Vibe summer concert series hosted by Delmar Main Street continues every second and fourth Sunday through the end of September, and VLAA is co-presenting the concert on August 23. Nathaniel Carroll will perform original music to open the show. Bring a blanket, umbrella, and your dancing shoes!

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEVITT VIBE CONCERT SERIES

CREATIVE FUNDING STRATEGIES FOR NONPROFITS: A Collaborative Panel and Networking Event
Friday, August 28, 11am-1pm – FREE
RAC City Foundry, 3745 Foundry Way, Suite 149 in St. Louis City
Sustaining a nonprofit organization requires a creative and diverse mix of funding sources. Learn about creative revenue sources, brainstorm new creative fundraising ideas, and connect with other nonprofits to explore collaborative fundraising opportunities. Light refreshments will be provided. Advance registration is required, as space is limited to 40 attendees.

VLAA Roadshow: COMO
Thursday, September 24 & Friday, September 25 – Admission Varries
Columbia, Missouri
VLAA is bringing the show on the road! Mid-Missouri creatives and arts administrators alike will have a chance to attend three different VLAA essential programs! Here’s the lineup:

Accidental Arts Administrator – $25/person
Thursday, September 24, 2026 1pm-5pm
@ Office of Cultural Affairs, 701 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201
For current and future nonprofit leaders, founders, directors, board members, or the intellectually curious, this crash course equips attendees with the tools and concepts needed to operate any arts and cultural nonprofit. The first two hours cover formation, fundraising, marketing, budgeting, and board governance. The second half of the workshop is a hands-on session to help tune up or create your nonprofit’s mission statement, strategic roadmap, and action items to keep your org moving forward. Participants receive a binder with the program curriculum, as well as other digital resources including sample financial documents, strategy screen, bylaws, and more.

VLAA Artist Showcase – Free
Thursday, September 24, 2026 6pm-9pm
@ Orr Street Studios, 106 Orr St., Columbia, MO 65201
VLAA proudly presents the VLAA Artist Showcase, a relaxed mixer and community-building event featuring performances by musicians and poets, as well as live art demonstrations. Refreshments will be served, and opportunities for community discussion and intention-setting will round out the evening. Free to attend, but please select a ticket to confirm your spot!

LLC Clinic for Creatives – $25/person
Friday, September 25, 2026 9am-12pm
@ Office of Cultural Affairs, 701 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201
Ready to take your creative side-hustle to the next level? Or maybe you’re not sure yet and have lots of questions? Wherever your journey has taken you thus far, sign up for this clinic style event to get answers and learn what it takes to start your own LLC. Attendees will connect and network from 9-9:30 before a VLAA volunteer attorney presents about LLC basics. Then, attendees meet one-on-two with a lawyer-accountant pair for a 20 minute consultation about their most pressing questions. If attendees still have legal needs after their consult, we will be on site to complete free referral applications for pro bono legal and accounting help.

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Workshops, Clinics & Special Events

We offer affordable professional development workshops for creatives and arts administrators.

Events in August 2026