Transforming the Aboriginal Artist into an International Entrepreneur
“Art is a medicine, a survival tool, a form of transferring traditional knowledge and stories. Art is our identity, our place and a nomadic sign of our presence on this earth. It is medicine as it helps healing others and ones self. Art can communicate in any language. Art is for the people. Art is something I create, heal from, promote in others and a way of living I have committed to” …Raven Davis, 2011
The Idea: Raven Davis Inc. will be owned and operated by Raven Davis; a Native artist and business woman. The company and subsidiary company’s hold Raven’s namesake.
The Raven’s Nest Studio and The Dancing Raven Village will be subsidiaries of Raven Davis Inc. The Raven’s Nest Studio and The Dancing Raven Village are both places where tourists and potential new comers of Nova Scotia can visit to experience authentic Native art, gifts design and culture. It is also a place where Native artists from all over Canada have the opportunity to partner with Raven Davis Inc. and expand their art and products into the European markets. Raven Davis Inc. will also offer services such as: assisting in the building of corporate and private art collections, buying and selling of art and gifts, picture and artwork placement and on-site art consultation, home staging, art rental and consulting and cultural presentations.
In regards to the educational/curriculum and mentorship aspect for artist's, I would like to create curriculum based business for Aboriginal artists in Canada to learn the following: gallery terms, agreements and licensing, Canadian laws and protection using the CARFAC model (Canadian Artists' Representation/le Front des artistes canadiens) Canadian laws and protection, international laws, marketing and promotion, art exhibit coordination, website design and management, financial management and export readiness.
With these tools, I plan to continue to work with the artists in becoming self-sustained Aboriginal entrepreneurs. During the duration of their mentorship, the artists will continue to create and improve on their portfolio development and take part in important events, exhibits and workshops to increase their knowledge in business development. With-in 6-14 months, each artist will be managing the data in their websites, selling reproductions, creating inventory based on volume and marketing using various media’s, nationally and internationally.
The Raven's Nest Studio will also have an on-line store, which will offer a virtual gallery showcasing a large array of artwork from the participating artist's and gifts. With a percentage of the revenue generated from sales, I plan to build a Native Art’s Foundation to assist other artists to continue their formal education in art and design. I would also like to donate a percentage of the revenue made from each artist and put it into an group insurance plan under the name of the artist so that they have an investment to tap into when they decide to retire or unfortunately, if they lose their ability to create art because of aging.
After 15 years of gathering knowledge in management, and skills in art, design and traditional knowledge, I have taken the leap to build on my capacity as an artist and as a businesswoman. In addition to experiential tourism, I will offer many services and products that will be available through the web as well as in Europe and in Canada. I am confident that the artists that we support will become very successful and to ensure this project is successful, I have built a strong circle of peers around me for support.
About You
About You
First Name
Raven
Last Name
Davis
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
Raven Davis
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Website
Country
Canada, NS
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
What best describes your group or organization
Other.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Innovation
Name Your Entry
Transforming the Aboriginal Artist into an International Entrepreneur
Tell us the story of your idea or project
“Art is a medicine, a survival tool, a form of transferring traditional knowledge and stories. Art is our identity, our place and a nomadic sign of our presence on this earth. It is medicine as it helps healing others and ones self. Art can communicate in any language. Art is for the people. Art is something I create, heal from, promote in others and a way of living I have committed to” …Raven Davis, 2011
The Idea: Raven Davis Inc. will be owned and operated by Raven Davis; a Native artist and business woman. The company and subsidiary company’s hold Raven’s namesake.
The Raven’s Nest Studio and The Dancing Raven Village will be subsidiaries of Raven Davis Inc. The Raven’s Nest Studio and The Dancing Raven Village are both places where tourists and potential new comers of Nova Scotia can visit to experience authentic Native art, gifts design and culture. It is also a place where Native artists from all over Canada have the opportunity to partner with Raven Davis Inc. and expand their art and products into the European markets. Raven Davis Inc. will also offer services such as: assisting in the building of corporate and private art collections, buying and selling of art and gifts, picture and artwork placement and on-site art consultation, home staging, art rental and consulting and cultural presentations.
In regards to the educational/curriculum and mentorship aspect for artist's, I would like to create curriculum based business for Aboriginal artists in Canada to learn the following: gallery terms, agreements and licensing, Canadian laws and protection using the CARFAC model (Canadian Artists' Representation/le Front des artistes canadiens) Canadian laws and protection, international laws, marketing and promotion, art exhibit coordination, website design and management, financial management and export readiness.
With these tools, I plan to continue to work with the artists in becoming self-sustained Aboriginal entrepreneurs. During the duration of their mentorship, the artists will continue to create and improve on their portfolio development and take part in important events, exhibits and workshops to increase their knowledge in business development. With-in 6-14 months, each artist will be managing the data in their websites, selling reproductions, creating inventory based on volume and marketing using various media’s, nationally and internationally.
The Raven's Nest Studio will also have an on-line store, which will offer a virtual gallery showcasing a large array of artwork from the participating artist's and gifts. With a percentage of the revenue generated from sales, I plan to build a Native Art’s Foundation to assist other artists to continue their formal education in art and design. I would also like to donate a percentage of the revenue made from each artist and put it into an group insurance plan under the name of the artist so that they have an investment to tap into when they decide to retire or unfortunately, if they lose their ability to create art because of aging.
After 15 years of gathering knowledge in management, and skills in art, design and traditional knowledge, I have taken the leap to build on my capacity as an artist and as a businesswoman. In addition to experiential tourism, I will offer many services and products that will be available through the web as well as in Europe and in Canada. I am confident that the artists that we support will become very successful and to ensure this project is successful, I have built a strong circle of peers around me for support.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
Structured on curriculum/mentorship based business, an environment will be created lending artists essential skills in becoming self-sufficient entrepreneurs.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
This curriculum/mentorship based business platform will support and train Aboriginal artists from across Canada. . As mentioned I currently volunteer to support 12 Aboriginal artists. Most of these artists, if not all of them have come from severely impoverished communities. Over the past 3 years, investments have been made in purchasing for the artist, tools they need to carve, paint or sculpt. We have supplied the artist with canvas and paints for free as well as funds to attend art shows and market their art. We have also developed a website in which the artist can refer to buyers to see their work. www.friends-united.ca Due to the support and mentoring, the artists have been able to overcome many financial burdens that not only have had an effect on them, but their families as well.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
I hope to mentor 12-20 FN artists, complete the FN artist retreat/Village & market internationally
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
In 5 years, it is my hope to have aprox. 50 FN artists trained, mentored and self sufficient in their pursuit in becoming business owners in the art industry. It is also my objective to have secured a group insurance plan to assist the artist in their future planning.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
Recently, I have partnered with a German company who is also a philanthropist in Aboriginal culture and art. This partnership is extremely important. Together we have funded various artists to participate as vendors in art shows, gatherings and have begun marketing their art to Europe. We have also explored supporting such programs as the Indigenous Women in Leadership program at St. FX University (Coady Institute). Each graduate of the program will be given a book representing our artists to take back to their communities. Also recently, Mr. Bouman has met with the Canadian Ambassador of Berlin and 8 members of German Parliament. Since then, they have requested 60 additional "Friends United" books.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
To clarify, to date, this project has been assembled without any financial government assistance or other subsidies. We are not part of any political party and we do not seek funding for our initiatives. It's possible this is the first FN art project in Canada which has not received any funding from any source. I am very fortunate, to have been given the opportunity to partner with a philanthropist which shares the same passion as I. Our hope is to never have to rely on annual funding. It is also our hope that the artists develop and build their businesses so that they too, can become independent of any source of funding.
Quotes from 3 of the "Friends United"' artists in reference to the project.
“We’re a lot better off now, we have money to pay for our bills, buy a few things for ourselves and we don’t have to live from ration cheque to ration cheque anymore” A. Julian, Waycogomah First Nation
“It has really changed my life. I didn’t have clothes; I didn’t even have enough money to pay for my house” F. Peter Paul, Big Cove New Brunswick “The work I have sold has improved my life and has improved some of the lives around me especially my family, my children and I’m hoping to give a sense of hope to other First Nations people and First Nations artist’s to pursue their hopes and dreams.” L. Julian, Millbrook First Nation
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
As it stands, we are actively meeting with Canadian and German government in support of our project. We have also met with many chiefs and councils, mayors, government officials, universities and businesses. In our meetings, we clarified we are not looking for funding but for support of our project and the artist only.
In all of the meetings we have given them copies of the "Friends United" book for them to distribute as gifts. This direct marketing tool will increase the artists profile and allow for individuals interested in purchasing limited edition prints or products to contact the artist.
**In the future, if anything, we will require donated equipment and advertising space and possibly a small (1200sq. foot community studio space for training, workshops and art creation)
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 17 weeks agoRaven Davis updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoRaven Davis updated this Competition Entry. |
| 20 weeks agoRaven Davis updated this Competition Entry. |
| 24 weeks agoRaven Davis said: Hi Carolyn....yes, I tried incorporating most of it but the webpage only allows for I think 400 characters which really is a small ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 24 weeks agocarolyn doyle said: Hi Raven, Thank you so much for all of the additional information. The reviewers do read through comments but you may also want to ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 24 weeks agoRaven Davis updated this Competition Entry. |
| 24 weeks agoRaven Davis updated this Competition Entry. |
| 24 weeks agoRaven Davis said: To make a long story short Carolyn - This project will be sustained by the artists and the work they create! We have taped into a market ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 24 weeks agocarolyn doyle said: I really like your entry and desire to connect artists with different markets. I wonder if you can go into a bit more detail about the ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 24 weeks agoRaven Davis updated this Competition Entry. |
