PLAE is a yearlong development program that encourages a group of self-motivated people to become the arts and business leaders of tomorrow. The application period for the 2015 session of PLAE is currently open!
Artistic Entrepreneurs who are seeking to develop a new business idea or company will be equipped with the tools to realize their goals during the course of this class.
You will meet once a month and will hear from featured guest speakers who are leaders in the fields of both arts and entrepreneurship. These experts will participate in the discussion of your project as well as offer guidance and support to you and your classmates.
At the end of the program, participants will be given the opportunity to present their business to a room full of connectors, investors, business owners, and business experts.
This course will thrive if it is full of people who are seriously committed to starting something new and exciting. If you are an artist or an entrepreneur with an artistic idea you are eligible to apply for one of only 10 slots available.
During PLAE, you will participate in interactive activities and group discussions as well as reflect on the growth of your business and the businesses of your classmates. Beyond the monthly class, you will be invited to additional events and educational opportunities that may also help with your business development.
The class will be structured around the selected applicants. You will be taught how to create an action plan and will be encouraged to implement and test a new task or initiative every month. You and your classmates will work together in groups as well as on your own to complete the tasks that have been outlined.
Topics that will be covered:
- Building multiple revenue streams
- Developing marketing strategies
- Creating your own content
- Managing your finances
- Entity incorporation and developing structure for businesses
- Understanding the psychology of the arts leader
- And more!
Testimonials
“In my PLAE class, I met tech start-up owners, casting directors, insurance brokers, and marketing gurus — all people who were willing to reveal their secrets to their success and people knew how to take a project and bring it to the end zone, so to speak. I had been living in Oz and had never paid attention to the “man” behind the curtain — ’til PLAE. My classmates were also hardworking artists and arts entrepreneurs — a director, a music director, the owner of a small indie film company, and myself. We bonded as a group and grew together and found our success individually and collectively. Now, one classmate is the assistant director on a Broadway show, another an in-demand music director currently on an international tour, the other brought successful film concepts to market. Now I make a full time living as a writer/actor/producer. My one man show is in its third year of international touring. I’ve booked myself in 27 U.S. states and 2 Canadian Provinces and I just got my book published by Skookum Hill: The Gospel According to Josh: A 28-Year Gentile Bar Mitzvah.”
- Joshua Rivedal, Author, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post contributor, and Speaker: The Gospel According to Josh
“PLAE has helped me turn my thoughts into actions. By having a small group to bounce ideas off of and with a moderator who has been in the business to tell you what to expect and how to realize your dreams is invaluable. So many times I have met artists (myself included) who know what they want creatively but do not know the first thing about how to run a business, which is what we all need to realize: this is a business and must be treated like one. Michael brings in the top people from around NYC who are there to tell us what we need to do to make it in this tough economy and does so in a way that is accessible, even once the class is over. I would tell someone to take PLAE because not only will you walk away with a greater understanding on how to run your company but you will have networked with some of the top people in the business.”
- Eileen Little, Co-Artistic Director: Fight or Flight Theatre Company
“Michael gave us so many great resources in the PLAE class. We made great connections with each other and with experts in the field who will continue to be invaluable as our projects move forward. In addition, it was great to have practice networking, learning how to network, and to have a group of creative and ambitious entrepreneurs holding each other accountable for each project’s success. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to get an arts project or business off of the ground.”
- Katrina Ylimaki, Choreographer and Burlesque Performer
The details:
- You will meet once a month, on the second Monday of each month starting March 9, 2015 and ending February 8, 2016
- The monthly sessions will be 7:00pm-10:00pm
- The location of the class is TBD but it will be in central Manhattan
- At the end of the course, participants will present their businesses to a room full of connectors, investors, business owners, and business experts
- Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis
- There is an application process in order to be accepted into the course
Similar classes and incubator programs can cost up to $36,000 per year because they charge $1,000-$3,000 per month.
The cost of this one-year program is $1,000, which covers 12 three-hour classes plus satellite events.
That breaks down to less than $85/month.
We keep the cost of the class low because we believe in supporting bootstrapped ventures and we understand that your budget can be tight when you’re starting something new.
FAQ
Why is PLAE a yearlong program?
Who should apply for PLAE?
Do you offer a payment program?
How much time will I be spending on this work outside of the scheduled class time?
What have alumni of past programs accomplished?
What happens if I miss a class?
Who are the experts who will be guest speaking?
If you have further questions or would like to hear from alumni of PLAE let us know! EMAIL US