Does your cash flow feel perpetually dammed? (Or is it damned?) Sometimes one’s inner accountant needs a little assistance, especially for artists whose lives paint a more complicated and expensive existence in a burgeoning arts town.

Get help this weekend at the Tacoma Arts Commission’s free, two-day Arts Symposium, which is part of the Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month celebration. Sessions such as “Get Your Name in the News,” “Artists in the Internet 101,” and “Arts Legal Clinic” await at the University of Puget Sound.

I threw a bunch of questions at Tacoma Art Commission czar Amy McBride concerning the Arts Symposium. Thankfully, she answered them.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: What’s the concept behind the Arts Symposium?

AMY MCBRIDE: The goal of the symposium is to connect artists and arts organizations with the business skills they need to be successful and competitive. Unfortunately, these aren't topics that are well covered in art school and/or they are less fun than creating art and don't often get the same attention.  What is great about this art symposium is that the people we bring in to teach specialize in the arts, so I think there is a shared language and comfort level that contributes to the greatest learning and information sharing.

VOLCANO: Are seats still available in the classes?

MCBRIDE: Yes, there’s still room. We have expanded our presenters this year and participants will have access to representatives from some of the most important arts service/support agencies in the state.

VOLCANO: What classes will rock Tacoma’s world?

MCBRIDE: In addition to the drop-in legal clinic — which is popular and there are only a few slots left — there is a drop-in business clinic for both individual artists and arts organizations. Miguel Guillen from Artist Trust and Andy Fife and Michelle Chiachiere from Shunpike will be there to answer specific questions. I personally value the opportunity to bounce specific ideas off of people if I am trying to develop something or get started in an area that is new. These drop-in sessions are a new idea this year.

There are some sessions that are appropriate to arts organizations like "Fundraising: Know your Supporters & Build Your Voice" in addition to those geared toward the individual artist/sole proprietor arts business and there is a lot of crossover.  Most sessions apply to artists from all disciplines as well.  This isn't just for visual artists.

VOLCANO: What else is new this year?

MCBRIDE: Another new addition is the Artist Spotlight. Robert Horner is creating public art for the Center for Urban Waters and will share his project but also talk about what it is like to be relatively new to public art.

Barb Luecke the Public Art Manager from Sound Transit will be here to share her years of expertise about applying for public art and can illuminate how to get involved with the Sound Transit STart program. Some projects are coming our way, so it is a good chance to get the skinny.

VOLCANO: You kick off each morning with coffee a half hour before the classes. Nice. Is the coffee free? Is it any good?

MCBRIDE: Coffee and snacks are provided and I have to say the UPS catering is awesome. The brownies are great.

Pre-registration is required for the Arts Symposium. Contact Tacoma Arts Commission cultural arts specialist Naomi Strom-Avila at 253.591.5191 or by e-mail to get in on the action.

[Wyatt Hall, Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., free, University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner, Tacoma, 253.591.5191]