TELLING YOUR STORY: ARTIST BIOS, CREATIVE INTROS, PITCHES, AND AUTHENTIC PROMOTION
TAUGHT BY HEATHER GEOFFREY AND KELLY SILLIMAN
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 6:00-7:30 PM
COST: $15-50, SLIDING SCALE
A professional development workshop to support artists in crafting clear, compelling bios and creative pitches that communicate the heart of their practice. Whether you're preparing for a grant, a studio visit, or a chance encounter at an event, you'll develop language you can actually use. We'll explore self-promotion strategies that feel authentic, not awkward - centering your voice, values, and vision. For artists of all disciplines looking to strengthen how they present themselves in writing, conversation, and online.
Who It's For: Artists of all disciplines and stages of their career who are looking to strengthen how they present themselves - in writing, conversation, and online.
What to Bring: A notebook or device for writing, plus any bios, statements, or pitch ideas you’d like to work on.
Participants must register in advance. To register, please email by clicking the button below and include your name, address, and phone number.
Payment can be made by mailing a check made out to NCFA to PO Box 366, Northampton, MA 01061 or by Paypal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Pay Later or Credit Card by clicking the link below.
*Payments on the upper end of the sliding scale help support our continued commitment to accessibility, including sliding scale models and the NCFA Community Fund.
Kelly Silliman and Heather Geoffrey are the Co-Directors of the Northampton Center for the Arts, where they work in partnership to support artists, foster community-centered programming, and steward inclusive cultural spaces in Western Massachusetts.
Kelly Silliman is a dance artist, educator, arts administrator, and community organizer. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Stetson University and an MFA in Dance from Smith College, where she has also served as a teaching fellow. Kelly brings decades of experience at the intersection of creative practice and cultural stewardship, having co-founded and led artist collectives, youth ensembles, and performance initiatives in cities across the U.S., including Hartford, Boston, Tucson, and Charlottesville. As Co-Director of the Center, she has helped shape signature programs such as ArtPlay!, the Northampton Artisan Fair, the Youth Performance Festival, and the Community Fund. Kelly is especially passionate about supporting artists in discovering clear, actionable steps to move their visions into reality.
Heather Geoffrey is a multidisciplinary artist and arts consultant whose practice encompasses painting, photography, collage, mixed media, writing, and performance. She holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College, with a body of work deeply rooted in Borderland Theory, spiritual exploration, and the artist’s role as ancestral keeper and imaginative guide. Heather’s artworks invite viewers into richly textured emotional and symbolic landscapes. Alongside her creative practice, she brings over 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and organizational development. Her approach to teaching and consulting is grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and a profound respect for each artist’s distinct voice and path.
Together, Kelly and Heather bring a rich blend of artistic insight and administrative expertise to their facilitation - offering participants the tools, confidence, and encouragement to tell their own stories with clarity and authenticity.