Workshop Overview

Artists are trained to create. Far fewer are taught how to communicate clearly and confidently about their work in professional environments.

Speak Your Work™ is an interactive workshop designed to help artists, performers, and creative professionals develop stronger communication skills around their creative identity, artistic process, and professional goals. Through practical exercises, storytelling techniques, and communication coaching, participants learn how to speak about their work with greater clarity, confidence, and authority in critiques, networking environments, interviews, grant applications, artist talks, and professional conversations.

 

Led by nationally recognized speaker, author, and communication expert Jessica Doyle-Mekkes, this workshop blends performance psychology, storytelling, vocal presence, and professional communication strategies into an engaging and highly actionable experience for emerging artists and creatives.

 

Workshop Outcomes

Participants will learn how to:

• Communicate about their work with greater confidence and clarity

• Develop a compelling and authentic artist elevator pitch

• Navigate critiques, networking, and professional conversations more effectively

• Reduce apologetic or self-diminishing communication habits

• Use storytelling to create stronger audience and professional connection

• Build greater confidence in public speaking and high-stakes communication environments

• Speak about their work in ways that feel authentic rather than performative or “salesy”

 

Ideal Audience

This workshop is designed for:

• MFA students

• Emerging artists and creatives

• Performing arts students

• Creative entrepreneurs

• Artists preparing for exhibitions, grants, residencies, networking, or professional interviews

• University arts and design programs seeking professional development programming for students

 

Available as:

• Keynote

• Interactive workshop

• Multi-session intensive

• Conference breakout session

• Professional development training

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