Hi Kelley, and thanks for contacting CTB, My first impression is that you have the beginnings of a good idea, but only the beginnings. I sense that you are trying to take too many steps all at once and, therefore, have difficulty keeping a focus on what to do next. So my first advice is to slow down and focus on a couple of the most important first steps!
You mention having a plan, but it is not clear to me whether you have a fully developed formal business plan. That usually is a necessary first step, and you can find information in Chapter 42 of our Table of Contents. A formal business plan is structured in a way that helps people focus and guides their thinking about best ways to build their organization. I also suggest that you find a mentor to help you with the plan, because few human services training programs address business planning. You might ask a respected local business person to mentor you, or seek advice from a business education instructor in a local school district or community college.
Finally, I suggest that you call up the existing arts program you mentioned and offer to collaborate with them, at first as a volunteer and later as a colleague. That can get you connected with informal local networks of people interested in the arts and in building arts businesses.
Best wishes!
