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Making a living and a life as an artist occasionally requires you to learn new skills -- particularly involving computer literacy, bookkeeping and other things you might not have picked up the first time around. This is a listing of continuing education resources in the Twin Cities that artists may find helpful.

It is maintained by Springboard for the Arts as a service to the artist communities of the Upper Midwest. None of the postings here are sponsored, nor does making them available constitute a direct endorsement from Springboard for the Arts.

Don't see what you're looking for? Springboard can also provide referrals for other types of artistic and educational opportunities. We'll help you find whatever you're looking for. Email to find out more.

Springboard Staff

Artist Resources Director

Computer Education

East Metro

Ramsey County Libraries (Roseville, Maplewood, Shoreview, White Bear Lake and New Brighton): "Basic computer and technology help is available for individuals by appointment. An AmeriCorps CTEP member will help you with emailing, job searching, working on resumes or other documents, as well as answering other basic technology questions."

St. Paul College Continuing Education: Intro, intermediate and advanced courses in Microsoft Office.

St. Paul Public Library: "Introductions to using computers, online resources, social media, finding jobs online, and more!" Also offers the Northstar Basic Computer Skills Certificate, which "helps adults demonstrate basic digital competency and provides a credential to show potential employers."

West Metro

Apple Store (Mall of America, Edina, Uptown Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Roseville): Free hourlong workshops. "Explore everything you can do on Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod. Create slideshows with Photos. Edit movies with iMovie. Or discover ways to make your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations look their absolute best."

Minneapolis Community Education: A range of computer classes for adults, including "Computer Basics 101," which covers "basic computer parts and functions, creating a Word document, signing up for email, sending and receiving photos, browsing the web, saving favorite sites, the importance of security, downloading, uploading, and exploring social media."

Normandale Community College Continuing Education (Bloomington): "Learning and mastering your skills that will help you create, communicate, and stay productive, whether you're working at home, the office, or school." Also offers Computer Applications Certificates, which "provide practical, content-rich information to enhance your technical productivity and proficiency."

Business Skills

Hennepin County Library (Minneapolis and Hennepin County locations): A variety of free business, law, financial and entrepreneurship workshops and events, including one-on-one business consultations with representatives from the City of Minneapolis, SCORE and LegalCorps.

Neighborhood Development Center (St. Paul): A wide variety of small business and entrepreneurship training. "NDC workshops are free of charge and provide a two hour information-packed session led by local small business experts. Workshops cover a variety of business topics like basic accounting, branding, marketing and more. Most workshops take place on Tuesday evenings at The Rondo Community Outreach Library."

SCORE Small Business Training (St. Louis Park): Small business training workshops covering a wide range of topics, including tax preparation, social media, marketing and more.

Twin Cities Small Business Development Center Business Development Center (Minneapolis): The Twin Cities SBDC at the University of St. Thomas "provides confidential business consulting services at no charge to help established businesses and startups develop strategies to attract customers, increase sales and improve profitability." Business owners can begin with the Smart Start for Business workshop, and then access assistance with business plans. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development also operates a statewide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) that provide the professional expertise and guidance in nine regional offices across Minnesota.

WomenVenture (Minneapolis): "WomenVenture supports entrepreneurs with classes for creating and growing sustainable and profitable businesses." Includes a three-part Getting Ready series to "help you determine if small business ownership is right for you," and the Guided Business Plan series, "a 3-month series that covers all of the critical components of creating and fine-tuning a business plan that will take you from launch to expansion and beyond."

Digital Photography

Minneapolis College of Art and Design Continuing Education: Includes workshops in photography and filmmaking, including courses in photo editing and Adobe Creative Suite applications.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College Continuing Education: "Hands-on technical, theory, and portfolio building courses." Includes a Digital Photography Certificate.

Mpls Photo Center: "The Mpls Photo offers weekday, evening and weekend workshops covering a wide variety of topics taught by certified experts in their fields," including Beginning Digital.