Local Artist Paints Rosier Picture for Area Makers

Casey Droege doesn’t fit the starving artist stereotype.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helped Droege to not only survive as a creative, but to grow as an entrepreneur and share prosperity with others in the makerspace.

Droege coordinated an impressive $1 million in commissions and stipends for area artisans in a mere seven years. Their projects are found everywhere from eastern Ohio to Pittsburgh to New York City.

“I created The Art Supply Company to help artists make those connections and build their business,” Droege explained. “These are long-term consulting projects with big budgets -– pairing artisans with interior designers, architects, higher education institutions and groups creating public art displays.”

Droege currently is managing about a half-dozen of these endeavors.

Those efforts help fund Casey Droege Cultural Productions, an umbrella venture using different mediums to build both awareness and revenue for the arts and its creators. “I host pop-up programs and exhibit space for consumers to get to know artists and purchase their works, it’s a lot of labor” Droege said. “These programs are community-based and sometimes grant-funded, there’s a different budget for every event.”

Droege learned at a young age how to use art to raise revenue. With parents successfully working in the industry, Droege embraced creativity -- from winning a Pittsburgh Penguins poster contest to selling handmade pants to fellow students at the now-closed Schenley High School.

With art degrees and projects displayed at local studios, Droege supplemented revenue by teaching at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University before venturing into entrepreneurship.

“I built my business around my art practice, soon realizing I would need a revenue stream versus relying on grants,” Droege explained. “I saw a need for a local art consultant and started that business. It now provides income for me and my seven-member team.”

Droege, 42, began seven years ago by first visiting the SBA’s Women’s Business Center at Chatham University’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship. WBCs offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to women entrepreneurs. They’ll help you decide if starting a business is right for you, find funding for materials and supplies, help you market your business and increase revenues by selling to the federal government.

“Not only did I take workshops and classes at the center, but the team also helped me with a business plan, budgeting and marketing ideas,” Droege added. “They continually help me to work through the labyrinth of business ownership”

SBA Western Pa District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt applauded Droege’s strategy.

“The arts and crafting industry is huge. Even if it’s a part-time venture, all makers should be receiving no-cost counseling from our WBC and Small Business Development Centers,” Hunt said. “They offer everything from photography to social media classes. They’ll be there for you as you grow.”

Plan in hand, Droege watched her concept grow from idea to reality. At one point, Droege even owned a local gallery and shop showcasing area artisans. The pandemic dramatically changed Droege’s business model. “I sold the store, cancelled events and prioritized my staff,” Droege stated. “The sale brought in an infusion of cash; that coupled with an SBA PPP loan enabled me to pay staff.”

Droege and the team got creative.

“We sold tickets for online events with artists who spoke and showed their projects and even had dinners delivered to attendees,” Droege said.

When the pandemic ended, Droege rebranded to the Art Supply Company and Cultural Productions model all while noticing a societal shift benefitting her vision, clients and the region. “People really understood the importance of supporting and buying local and that includes makers,” Droege added. “It became and is really big. Now, it’s a good time to be an artist because everyone wants those pieces that are unique.”

Droege, who created a successful niche business and weathered COVID, soon hopes to share her knowledge with peers in other cities, spreading the wealth.

“Once you find a following, you’re good,” Droege said. “I’ve found it and I’m growing it.”