MAKE YOUR MOVE: SHOW YOUR WORK OR PRODUCE YOUR OWN
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
Saturday, June 20, 2026 SATURDAY, JUNE 20, FROM 4:00 TO 5:30PM
COST: $15 TO $50, SLIDING SCALE
Workshop 1: Show Your Work (For Visual Artists)
Instructors: Joie Gonzalez and Heather Geoffrey
This workshop breaks down the often-confusing process of submitting your work for exhibitions, open calls, gallery representation, festivals, and other opportunities. Whether you’re preparing your first submission or refining an established practice, you’ll learn how to find the right opportunities, strengthen your materials, and present your work with clarity and confidence.
Designed as an engaging and supportive space, this workshop invites you to connect, share, and learn alongside fellow artists. Expect a dynamic mix of practical guidance, conversation, and peer exchange that makes the process not just informative, but genuinely energizing.
Perfect for visual artists from emerging to established who want to be more intentional, strategic, and successful in how they pursue exhibitions and representation.
About Your Instructors
Joie Gonzalez (Gallery Associate) and Heather Geoffrey (Co-Director) are both working artists and members of the Northampton Center for the Arts administrative team. With combined experience in exhibition coordination, artist support, and arts programming, they bring a practical, behind-the-scenes perspective on how opportunities in the arts are created and accessed.
Drawing from their work with artists at all stages, from emerging to established, they are passionate about sharing tools, insights, and real-world strategies to help creatives navigate and expand their professional paths.
Workshop 2: Produce Your Own (For Performing Artists)
Instructor: Kelly Silliman
Ready to create your own opportunities and take your work directly to an audience? This workshop explores how performing artists can sustainably self-produce events that align with their vision, goals, and artistic voice.
Whether you’re producing your first show or expanding an established body of work, you’ll learn how to shape a compelling concept, secure the right venue, and effectively market your event to build and engage an audience. We’ll focus on practical, adaptable strategies that help you take ownership of your creative output and grow your presence on your own terms.
Designed as an engaging and collaborative space, this workshop invites you to connect with fellow artists, exchange ideas, and learn through shared experiences. Expect a supportive, energizing environment that makes the process of self-producing feel accessible.
Ideal for performing artists from emerging to established who want to take initiative, build momentum, and create their own stage.
About Your Instructor
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. Kelly has been self-producing and supporting others in self-producing for years, having co-founded and led artist collectives, youth ensembles, and performance initiatives in cities across the U.S. From 2012-2022, Kelly was the founder and director of the tinydance project, for which she towed a 4’x8’ stage by bicycle to outdoor venues, and more recently she toured her dance play collaboration Karen with a K throughout the Northeast. As Co-Director of the Center, she has produced events such as the Valley Multigenerational Dance Project and Stomping Grounds Dance Festival. Kelly is especially passionate about dismantling assumptions around production and supporting artists in discovering clear, actionable steps to move their visions into reality.
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 0106 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.