Terrain wants to forever destroy the cliche of the “starving artist.” That’s why we’ve created Creative Enterprise, an in-depth, cohort-based training program for artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs living in, and around, Spokane.
The 14-week program includes weekly classes, one-on-one coaching, peer-to-peer learning, and a proven curriculum that equips participants with the skills to transition their creative endeavors into living-wage small businesses. We are specifically looking for businesses that engage the community, generate exciting neighborhood activity, and help to build Spokane’s vibrancy and creative economy.
In other words, individuals/businesses that sell things they make vs. re-selling mass-produced goods, as well as small community groups and special projects that create unique cultural experiences. Folks with a proven track record, but no physical store -- say an Etsy Shop -- are well suited for this project.
FEEDBACK FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS:
“Priceless”
“I needed this education to take my business to the next level.”
“Amazing, life-changing.”
“The collaborations and relationships I made were awesome. Guest speakers, business coach...Loved all of it.”
“Thank you so much for the heart and soul you bring to this program and small businesses!”
HOW IT WORKS:
Terrain places a Call for Applicants (that's this!) and a jury of local professionals chooses up to 15 businesses to participate.
Chosen participants are provided weekly, in-depth classes (Feb 2024 - May 2024), one-on-one coaching, and peer-to-peer support designed specifically for the creatively minded.
Chosen participants must attend all 13 classes and the Pitch Party.
Each participant walks away with an executable business plan, which is reviewed by a panel of experts at a culminating Graduation/Pitch Party.
After classes are complete, Terrain, along with our program partners, provide participants with:
1. Ongoing technical support (i.e. lease and contract reviews, and access to business resources).
2. Access to Terrain's retail storefront From Here.*
3. Guidance in securing financial capital.
*If the business is viable and subject to availability.
In the case of From Here, the participant will also need to be a good fit for the shop.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT PROGRAM DETAILS BY CLICKING THIS LINK PRIOR TO APPLYING.
Click here to review frequently asked questions about the program. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out to team@terrainspokane.com. Our team is always happy to help and answer any questions you may have.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- January 13th — Call Closes
- January 27th - Notification Letters Emailed
- February 18th - May 13th - Weekly evening classes Tuesdays 5:30-8:30 PM
- May 22nd — Pitch Party
The entirety of the course will last from February - May including a Pitch Party and Graduation Party celebrating your full completion of the program.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
Please reach out to team@terrainspokane.com and we would be happy to help.
+++ DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 13th AT MIDNIGHT - NO EXCEPTIONS +++
#WEALLBUILDTHIS
Thanks so much for your interest in selling at From Here! Please keep in mind that the shop is growing and we are receiving more and more applications to participate. We do our best to review and respond to applications in a timely manner, but with the current volume of applications, it could take several months for our team to be in touch.
In addition, the shop is pretty full at the moment. That means if you are juried in, you may be put on a waitlist until a spot opens up.
ABOUT THE SHOP
From Here is the retail program of Terrain, Terrain is a groundbreaking non-profit building community and economic opportunity for the artists, makers and culture creators of the Inland Northwest. A community-building organization at our core, we believe art and creativity have the power to transform Spokane into a stronger, more economically diverse, just, and vibrant city.
From Here exists as a practical means of furthering Terrain’s mission. Our goal is to provide a collaborative retail experience where artists learn from, inspire, share with, and support one another, all while giving customers access to locally made goods.
So in that regard, we are a bit different from other shops. We’re not simply interested in selling locally made goods. Far from it. We want to create an ecosystem of creativity, camaraderie and a place where businesses grow. As a result, we don’t do wholesale, rather we create opportunities where artists can dive in and participate in the happenings of the shop.
When looking for new items to carry we consider the following:
- Quality of work.
- Are there similar items already in the shop?
- Collaboration vs. competition. Is the work already available at other local stores?
- Production. Is the artist/maker able to keep up with items turning over quickly?
- Community-building. Is the artist/maker able to be an active participant in the shop?
PARTICIPATION OPTIONS:
If accepted into the shop these are our participation options:
- OPTION #1: 70%/30% split of sales. Plus One 4-hour shift worked each month. 70% goes to the artist. 30% goes to Terrain.
- OPTION #2: 55%/45% split of sales. 0 shifts worked per month. 55% going to the artist, 45% going to Terrain.
It's important to note — We purposefully make Option #1 the most accessible (in most cases) as again, artist participation is key in meeting the mission/goals of the shop. We’ve also found that those artists who work a shift sell significantly better than those who do not.
➔ With both options, the commission fee Terrain collects goes towards:
- Manager + Staff
- Rent, heat and lighting, internet, landline, etc.
- P.O.S. system
- Accounting costs
- Insurance
- B & O taxes
- Shop supplies
- Display structures
- Signage
- Marketing + Advertising
OTHER DEETS:
- Contracts between Terrain and the artist/business are on a rolling month-to-month basis, giving the artist/business the utmost flexibility.
- Terrain promotes the shop extensively, including paid marketing.
- We also rely on participants driving their respective audiences to the shop. The more people who come in, the more you and your fellow participants will sell! We encourage each artist/business to post that their items can be found in the shop at least once a month.
- We work with each artist/business to make sure items are presented in a manner that meets expectations.
- Each artist/business is given the opportunity to fill a similar amount of space, although we don’t designate certain areas for artist/businesses to sell out of. We do this in an effort for the shop to feel as cohesive as possible as well as a desire for it to feel like a singular shop vs. an indoor market.
- We do biannual events/parties that participants can choose to partake in or not. We also encourage participants to create exclusive items and limited runs made available only at From Here — especially if you’re selling in another retail storefront setting — as a way to keep the shop feeling fresh and drive foot traffic, and in an effort to complement other local shops, not compete with them.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, please click submit.
Doesn't sound like your cup of tea at the moment? Terrain offers many other programs and events that may fit your current needs better - check out our website at terrainspokane.com to learn more about us!
Thanks so much for your interest in participating in From Here!
**NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN APPLICATION TO PLAY MUSIC AT TERRAIN EVENTS**
From Here exists as a practical means of furthering Terrain’s mission of working to ensure artists thrive in our region and to spark the creative economy.
When looking for new items to carry we consider the following:
- Quality of work.
- Are there similar items already in the shop?
- Collaboration vs. competition. Is the work already available at other local stores?
- Production. Is the artist/maker able to keep up with items turning over quickly?
- Community-building. Is the artist/maker able to be an active participant in the shop?
The last point is an important distinction between our shop and other retail locations. We’re not merely interested in selling locally made goods. We want to develop an ecosystem of creativity, camaraderie and a place where businesses grow. As a result, we create opportunities in which artists can dive in and participate in the happenings of the shop.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, please click submit.