The Arts Business Institute was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2002 to serve a crucial, common need in the art- and craft-making communities – practical business education for creative entrepreneurs. ABI originated through the seeds of the Craft Business Institute, an annual education program for craft professionals in Baltimore, Md., managed by The Rosen Group.

After hosting the CBI weekend retreat for several years, it became apparent to The Rosen Group that one weekend per year was not reaching a broad enough audience. With help from artists that had attended CBI the realization was clear: artists across the nation needed a new education model -- information brought to them in a format that would fit into the busy schedules of an artist. Due to its success, CBI had generated enough support to form a board of arts professionals. This group came together and designed the Arts Business Institute.

The Arts Business Institute, headed by its board of directors, recognizes the need to deliver support to a wider range of artists in underserved segments of North America. The board developed the workshops to travel and be presented across the nation. This has presented ABI with the opportunity to speak to artists in locations as far as Toronto and as small as Bristol, Va.

ABI faculty members range from glass artists and painters to accountants and gallery owners.

One of the many benefits of working with ABI is the ability to choose from the most accomplished presenters. ABI faculty is hand-picked from the art community and they work together as a team to present the most up-to-date topics in a professional manner.

The goal of every workshop is to provide artists with the business tools that they need to succeed. The faculty members understand that each artist has a unique set of needs, and they strive to provide information to the broad group of artists as well as on individual levels.

ABI partners with art nonprofits, business development centers and art education organizations across the nation and has recently been working with organizations in North Dakota, Tennessee, Iowa and Philadelphia to host educational events in each location. ABI’s curriculum offers courses on marketing, wholesaling, retailing, booth design and many other topics.

ABI distinguishes itself by offering seminars that are designed to instill successful business practices in artists. This allows artists to see what strategies work for each unique medium and artist. Many artists struggle with the day-to-day tasks involved in running a business. ABI has created seminars that break down the sometimes-overwhelming tasks, such as accounting, booth design and photographing work, into clear manageable processes.