By Mary Kerr, Creative Capital

Taller means “workshop” in Spanish, so it was fitting that Creative Capital offered Taller profesional de desarollo para artistas at Taller Puertorriqueño in April in Philadelphia.

Known as “The Cultural Heart of Latino Philadelphia,” Taller Puertorriqueño is a community-based multidisciplinary arts organization whose work bridges European, African, Caribbean and Latino societies and cultures. They offer programs for youth and adults, operate art galleries featuring Latino/a artists, run the region’s only bilingual bookstore, sponsor musical and theater events and organize a range of engaging cultural art education programs.

Gabriela Sanchez, Cultural Enrichment and Facilities Manager at Taller Puertorriqueño, commented on the experience collaborating with Creative Capital’s PDP:

The one-day workshop produced by Creative Capital and hosted by Taller Puertorriqueño was a great experience for Philadelphia’s local artists. The workshop leaders created a safe environment where the group could share their personal challenges and strengths as artists. During the workshop artists were introduced to strategic planning, fundraising and promotion, which are significant tools for the development of artists and entrepreneurs. Also, they explored the world of improvisation, which helped with listening and communications skills. The artists were challenged to think about the past and present, but most importantly, the future. They received Creative Capital Artist’s Tools Handbooks and Strategic Planning Workbooks, which provided guidelines for a plan of action. At the end of the workshop the artists walked away with more confidence and excitement. Everyone expressed their gratitude for the tools they learned and for the wonderful workshop instructors. On behalf of Taller Puertorriqueño, I would like to thank Creative Capital for leading such a powerful and enlightening workshop for the Spanish-speaking artists in Philadelphia.

Creative Capital looks forward to keeping in touch with the participating artists to follow their development as they take what they learned in the workshop and apply it to their lives and careers. We are grateful to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for making this workshop possible.

Workshop at Taller Puertorriqueno in progress, with workshop leader Ela Troyano standing and addressing the group.