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Thank you for attending the 2026 Business of Art Conference.
2026 Conference - Speaker Videos
Friday, March 6
Keynote: The Accidental Entrepreneur — Chad Elliott
Chad found his way to “business” accidentally. He learned how to make a living as an artist and musician through necessity. Obviously, there is no exact blueprint to making money in rural America as an artist or folk singer. This was especially true before the creation of the internet and social media platforms. Many of the successes Chad experienced, if not all of them, can easily be described as “entrepreneurial wins.” Many of these wins happened despite his own expectations. He remains deeply grateful for what he didn’t know back when he was a young, stubborn artist. Most likely, he wouldn’t have found his way to this path otherwise. In this talk, Chad will share some of the lessons he has learned along the way.
Keynote: The Accidental Entrepreneur — Chad Elliott
Chad found his way to “business” accidentally. He learned how to make a living as an artist and musician through necessity. Obviously, there is no exact blueprint to making money in rural America as an artist or folk singer. This was especially true before the creation of the internet and social media platforms. Many of the successes Chad experienced, if not all of them, can easily be described as “entrepreneurial wins.” Many of these wins happened despite his own expectations. He remains deeply grateful for what he didn’t know back when he was a young, stubborn artist. Most likely, he wouldn’t have found his way to this path otherwise. In this talk, Chad will share some of the lessons he has learned along the way.
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About Chad Elliott:
Chad Elliott strives to create music and art that inspires, uplifts and moves his audience emotionally by relating life experiences through dream-like imagery. He is a graduate of Graceland University in Lamoni, IA with a Bachelor of Arts in ceramics and has since collected graduate credits from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. Early in his career, he was recognized for his artistic ability by being chosen as the “Best of Show” at the Iowa Student Artists Exhibit in 1995. In 2008 Elliott created the first-ever “People Project,” an ephemeral artwork for the organization ArtsLIVE during the University of Okoboji Winter Games in Okoboji, IA. During the Project he positioned 175 people on the ice of a frozen lake in the shape of a stylized turtle, which was photographed from an airplane. Elliott has an extensive list of mural work throughout Iowa and beyond. His mural work includes two 5 foot by 12 foot canvas paintings installed in 2012 in the Spencer Community Theatre. He also completed a 16 foot by 40 foot landscape mural in 2013 on the side of Mohr Lumber in Coon Rapids, IA to commemorate the town's sesquicentennial. In Pampa, TX, Elliott installed a mural titled "This Land is Your Land" at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center. In 2022 he painted "Catch of the Day," which was installed at Crouse Park in Sparta, NC. In recent work, Elliott painted two murals on the East and West sides of the Greene County Historical Museum in Jefferson, IA in 2024. For a full list of murals, visit Elliott's exhibitions page. Elliott has served as an artist in residence for TreeBed Design in Vallejo, CA in 2004 as well as Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA from 2005-2008. After creating art from his home for many years, Elliott moved to Jefferson, IA and opened Elliott Art Studio in 2023, which was later honored as a Senate Small Business of the Week in December 2024. |
Friday, March 6
Session A: Marketing Tactics Outside of Social Media — Colleen Murphy
There are many conversations about how to engage on social media, but how about outside of social media? Join this conversation around how to best present yourself on websites, getting the most out of newsletters, sharing partnership ideas, and out-of-the-box ways to make connections.
Session A: Marketing Tactics Outside of Social Media — Colleen Murphy
There are many conversations about how to engage on social media, but how about outside of social media? Join this conversation around how to best present yourself on websites, getting the most out of newsletters, sharing partnership ideas, and out-of-the-box ways to make connections.
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Friday, March 6
Session B: Strategic Business Development for Creatives — Stephen King
Strategic business development is a practical, forward-looking approach to guiding growth and long-term success. This session walks through how to clarify goals, understand your strengths and market position, identify the right audiences and partners, and build a clear plan that connects vision to action. The focus is on moving beyond day-to-day operations to make smarter decisions, adapt to change, and position your creative business for sustained impact in the year ahead.
Session B: Strategic Business Development for Creatives — Stephen King
Strategic business development is a practical, forward-looking approach to guiding growth and long-term success. This session walks through how to clarify goals, understand your strengths and market position, identify the right audiences and partners, and build a clear plan that connects vision to action. The focus is on moving beyond day-to-day operations to make smarter decisions, adapt to change, and position your creative business for sustained impact in the year ahead.
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About Stephen King:
Stephen King, originally from Houston, Texas, has devoted his career to the arts. Beginning in theatre as an actor, director, and manager, he transitioned to nonprofit arts administration and the festival industry in 1995. Since then, he has produced hundreds of cultural events and live music festivals, earning more than 375 industry awards from organizations including the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA). Before leading the Des Moines Arts Festival in 2011, Stephen directed the Downtown Events Group, producing the World Food Festival, Holiday Lights Des Moines, Skywalk Golf, and ImaginEve! He previously served as president/CEO of Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. in Virginia and directed festivals for Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., producing the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival. Stephen is Executive Director of Des Moines Arts Festival and ARTSwork, an active leader in the global industry, past chair of the IFEA World Board, co‑founder of ZAPPlication™, and a frequent conference contributor. |
Friday, March 6
Session B: Time Management for Creative Entrepreneurs — Leah Locke
This session helps artists take control of their schedules by understanding their natural creative rhythms and structuring their work in a way that supports both artistic flow and business responsibilities. Participants will learn practical tools—like separating “maker time” from “manager time,” setting realistic priorities, and creating simple systems that reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. The workshop includes a hands-on activity where attendees map out their ideal weekly schedule, helping them leave with a personalized plan that boosts productivity without sacrificing creativity.
Session B: Time Management for Creative Entrepreneurs — Leah Locke
This session helps artists take control of their schedules by understanding their natural creative rhythms and structuring their work in a way that supports both artistic flow and business responsibilities. Participants will learn practical tools—like separating “maker time” from “manager time,” setting realistic priorities, and creating simple systems that reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. The workshop includes a hands-on activity where attendees map out their ideal weekly schedule, helping them leave with a personalized plan that boosts productivity without sacrificing creativity.
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About Leah Locke:
Leah Locke is the Regional Director for the Iowa State University office of America’s SBDC Iowa. Her role supports Boone, Story, Marshall and Hardin counties. As Regional Director, Leah serves as a resource and advocate for small business start-ups, by developing financial statements, business plans and financing applications; counseling businesses on hiring, training and motivating employees; advising clients on marketing materials including websites and publications; among other things. After graduating from Iowa State University, Leah spent 10+ years working for start-ups and small businesses in Ames, Iowa. In her free time, Leah enjoys spending time with her family, golfing, cooking, and walking her corgi. |
Saturday, March 7
Keynote: One Good Bowl — Chad Elliott
Chad’s pottery teacher was the head potter at a Zen dojo in Hawaii. He instructed his students to make one hundred bowls. Upon completion, they were asked to present their favorite one. Then, he directed them to throw it to the ground. Chad learned a valuable lesson that day: nothing is precious. Creativity is a way, not a destination. Whether it be writing a song, painting a painting, or throwing a ceramic bowl…the practice of making art is more important than the work of art itself. In this talk, Chad will share a variety of examples of how he stays inspired on a daily basis while not getting hung up on perfection and self-critique.
Keynote: One Good Bowl — Chad Elliott
Chad’s pottery teacher was the head potter at a Zen dojo in Hawaii. He instructed his students to make one hundred bowls. Upon completion, they were asked to present their favorite one. Then, he directed them to throw it to the ground. Chad learned a valuable lesson that day: nothing is precious. Creativity is a way, not a destination. Whether it be writing a song, painting a painting, or throwing a ceramic bowl…the practice of making art is more important than the work of art itself. In this talk, Chad will share a variety of examples of how he stays inspired on a daily basis while not getting hung up on perfection and self-critique.
Saturday, March 7
Session A: Successful Economic Development Involves the Arts — Deb Brown
Economic development today is about more than recruiting a factory or chasing a single large employer. Progressive small towns are diversifying by creating opportunities that appeal to a wider range of people, including artists and makers. When visitors come to town, they look for experiences, participation, and a sense of place—and tourism naturally intersects with the arts.
This session will outline specific, practical steps communities can take to support local creatives, leverage existing assets, and turn small art projects into meaningful economic wins. The focus will be on low-cost, high-impact ideas that participants can adapt immediately to their own towns.
Session A: Successful Economic Development Involves the Arts — Deb Brown
Economic development today is about more than recruiting a factory or chasing a single large employer. Progressive small towns are diversifying by creating opportunities that appeal to a wider range of people, including artists and makers. When visitors come to town, they look for experiences, participation, and a sense of place—and tourism naturally intersects with the arts.
This session will outline specific, practical steps communities can take to support local creatives, leverage existing assets, and turn small art projects into meaningful economic wins. The focus will be on low-cost, high-impact ideas that participants can adapt immediately to their own towns.
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About Deb Brown:
Deb Brown's background is diverse and practical. She served as the Webster City, Iowa, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director for 4 years, holding certification from the Institute for Organization Management. The last 10 years Deb has worked in small towns helping them address rural challenges, including downtown rejuvenation, youth retention, marketing and promotion for small towns, and business development and economic growth. Deb knows that everyone in a small town matters, and their contributions, big or small, make success and revitalization happen. Attendees will leave with concrete examples, adaptable ideas, and an understanding of how art can be a catalyst for both economic and social change. |
Saturday, March 7
Session B: For Profit for the Community: Ethical Business Practices for Creatives — Kristin M. Roach
Exploitation starts at home (or in your studio). Every artist is a micro business and at different points along our creative entrepreneurial path we make choices that support us and our community or exploit ourselves and our community. In this talk, local artist and business owner, Kristin M Roach, shares how to approach business in a way that is kind and curious for everyone involved. Learn how, as an individual artist, you create a positive impact without 501c3 status.
Session B: For Profit for the Community: Ethical Business Practices for Creatives — Kristin M. Roach
Exploitation starts at home (or in your studio). Every artist is a micro business and at different points along our creative entrepreneurial path we make choices that support us and our community or exploit ourselves and our community. In this talk, local artist and business owner, Kristin M Roach, shares how to approach business in a way that is kind and curious for everyone involved. Learn how, as an individual artist, you create a positive impact without 501c3 status.
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About Kristin M. Roach:
Kristin M Roach is an artist, author, and co-owner of Little Woods Herbal. Kristin is a formally trained artist in oil painting and art history and takes an interdisciplinary approach in her studio, specializing in gouache painting, zine making, and woven forms. Her artwork and illustrations are collected internationally, including the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Sweden, and her book Mend it Better is distributed worldwide. Her project blog, Craft Leftovers, has inspired readers since 2006 to live life creatively with what’s on hand. Currently, she’s focused on Little Woods Herbal (founded 2013) and teaching sliding scale workshops on mending and zine making. Native to the Midwest, her and her family have called Ames home since 2008. |
Saturday, March 7
Session A: Building an Audience — Jennifer Drinkwater
Join Jennifer Drinkwater to explore how to creatively and effectively design strategies to build relationships with your audience. She will walk through a variety of digital and analog methods (beyond social media!) to find and connect with collectors and supporters of your work, no matter what stage career you are in. Participants will leave with personalized tactics that they can utilize immediately.
Session A: Building an Audience — Jennifer Drinkwater
Join Jennifer Drinkwater to explore how to creatively and effectively design strategies to build relationships with your audience. She will walk through a variety of digital and analog methods (beyond social media!) to find and connect with collectors and supporters of your work, no matter what stage career you are in. Participants will leave with personalized tactics that they can utilize immediately.
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About Jennifer Drinkwater:
Jennifer Drinkwater, a Mississippi native, is an assistant professor jointly appointed in the Department of Art and Visual Culture and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She holds a B.A. in studio art and anthropology from Tulane University and an M.F.A. in painting from East Carolina University. Her paintings have been exhibited nationally in juried and group shows, with solo exhibitions across the United States, and her work has appeared in Surface Design Journal, New American Paintings, and Studio Visit. Drinkwater explores how art moves beyond the studio to shape and strengthen communities. In recent years, she has collaborated on projects in Iowa, Mississippi, and Nebraska, including murals, prairie installations, knit‑bombing, theatre productions, and large‑scale public art events. |
Saturday, March 7
Session B: To Copyright or Not to Copyright — Marlan "LO" Dixon
This presentation opens with an introduction to LO, highlighting his travels through the World of Art and offering a brief glimpse into his own artistic work. From there, he will transition into an exploration of copyright using the familiar framework of What, When, Who, Where, Why, and How. He explains what qualifies as a copyright, when someone should pursue one, who benefits from copyright protection, where to find and register copyrights, why they are important for creators, and finally how the process works. LO will share examples of a copyrights he personally owns before inviting the audience into an interactive question‑and‑answer session. Throughout the presentation, participants are encouraged to engage actively, asking questions and contributing to the conversation, making this a lively and participatory experience.
Session B: To Copyright or Not to Copyright — Marlan "LO" Dixon
This presentation opens with an introduction to LO, highlighting his travels through the World of Art and offering a brief glimpse into his own artistic work. From there, he will transition into an exploration of copyright using the familiar framework of What, When, Who, Where, Why, and How. He explains what qualifies as a copyright, when someone should pursue one, who benefits from copyright protection, where to find and register copyrights, why they are important for creators, and finally how the process works. LO will share examples of a copyrights he personally owns before inviting the audience into an interactive question‑and‑answer session. Throughout the presentation, participants are encouraged to engage actively, asking questions and contributing to the conversation, making this a lively and participatory experience.
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About Marlan "LO" Dixon:
Marlan "LO" Dixon, JD, MS (Finance) is a LIFEE Consultant working through the Consulting Firm Dixon & Dixon, specializing in Legal, Insurance, Financial, Education, & Equity Information. "LO" originates from the Southside of Chicago, Altgeld Gardens housing project. He began his love for Art at an early age, where he used his education to prosper through the adversity of his upbringing to travel the world to better understand the World of Art. He has an extensive educational background, earning seven separate degrees. One to honor each of his mother’s children. His degrees are as follows: AAS Accounting 2008, AA Liberal Arts 2017, BS Psychology 2019, BA Criminal Justice 2019, MA Criminal Justice 2020, Juris Doctorate 2024, and MS Finance 2024. He resides in Cedar Rapids, IA, where he dabbles in art creation, but also collects art. |
Saturday, March 7
Session B: Surprised by Art: How a Creative Practice Became a Business — Laurie Hoifeldt
How did you begin creating? Have you been surprised by any part of your journey? I’ll share my story of how my creative work grew from something I did simply for enjoyment into a small but meaningful part of my life and work. I’ll talk about the moments that nudged me forward, the lessons I learned along the way, and the ways community, curiosity, and persistence shaped the path. My hope is to offer an honest look at what it can mean to follow your creative instincts—without a perfect plan—and to encourage you to explore where your own work might lead.
Session B: Surprised by Art: How a Creative Practice Became a Business — Laurie Hoifeldt
How did you begin creating? Have you been surprised by any part of your journey? I’ll share my story of how my creative work grew from something I did simply for enjoyment into a small but meaningful part of my life and work. I’ll talk about the moments that nudged me forward, the lessons I learned along the way, and the ways community, curiosity, and persistence shaped the path. My hope is to offer an honest look at what it can mean to follow your creative instincts—without a perfect plan—and to encourage you to explore where your own work might lead.
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About Laurie Hoifeldt:
Laurie Hoifeldt is a self-taught artist whose creative path began with informal painting evenings shared with friends as a way to relax and reconnect. What started as a simple creative outlet gradually grew into something more meaningful, shaped by curiosity, encouragement, and community. She is maybe best known for her paintings of Anders the Gnome and his companions, inspired by storytelling, nature, and Scandinavian folklore. Over time, her work expanded to include landscapes and wildlife, reflecting a deepening connection to place and observation. Collaboration has played an important role in her journey—from working with local photographers to sharing space and ideas with fellow makers. Laurie continues to share her art through local venues, community events, and online spaces. Her story is a reminder that creative paths don’t have to be planned to be meaningful—and that sometimes the most rewarding work grows from simply saying yes. |
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The Business of Art Conference is hosted by the Ames Community Arts Council and supported in part by the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Hand Over Hand, the Ames Reginal Economic Alliance (AREA), the Ames Writers Collective, and the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA).
Thank you to our generous sponsors! |
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