b'ART MEETS COMMERCESomeone told me that I really needed to embrace my role as an entrepreneur, and that was kind of the big step for me.Caroline MonnetNew York. She has also recently begun expanding into the world of fashion, making handmade custom garments out of construction materials that will be showcased in the Indigenous Fashion show at the Santa Fe Indian Market later Theassistanttookonthesmallerreally focus on the vision of the artworkthis year. everyday tasks like cutting paper, sewingand the practice and what I wanted to do, fabric or making runs to the post office.and really focus on the creative aspectHer creative diversity, Monnet says, is Monnet then hired an administrativeof my business, she says.her strength: Since the beginning of assistant to help with coordinating proj- my career, my strength is really bridging ects and managing the studio. That justAs Monnets career flourished, the realitythose worlds. I like to bridge the world opened my world because I could thenof being a business owner, and not justof theatre with the world of cinema with a creative artist, really began to kick in.the world of fashion. Its really [about] While those watching her growingnot falling into one category and about success may not have been surprised,getting rid of labels as well. Its kind of it required a bit of a shift in thinking formy motto to move forward; I want to Monnet. You never tell artists that theyexceed the expectations. will become entrepreneurs, she notes. Its not something that comes togetherOn the home front, Monnet is working when you go out in the world wantinghard not just at her art but expanding to be an artist.her team and ensuring that everyone is happy and working smoothly. We Yetwithartisticsuccess,businessare sometimes overworked because acumenbecomesarequirement.as an artist you never really stop; its Monnet realized that she needed guid- not really a nine-to-five job, she says. ance in this area, and she signed on toEspecially when youre in the position a mentorship program in Montral, Laof being the leader of that team, or the Piscine, which helps small cultural busi- vision behind the project, then you dont nesses. The program, run though thetake weekends and you dont take vaca-Socit de dveloppement des entre- tions because youre always the last to prises culturelles (SODEC), has beenget paid. supporting and stimulating the creative economy and culture in Qubec sinceDespite her success, Monnet stresses 2015. Someone told me that I reallyshe never pursued an artistic career for needed to embrace my role as an entre- the money. It was always about creating preneur, and that was kind of the biggreat, impactful art, surrounded by a step for me, Monnet says. Within thatstrong team. That remains her focus. I program, I had access to mentorshipjust want to make sure that I have a team and accounting and communications. around me thats very skilful in all disci-plineswhether its architects, scientists, Primed with some business know-how,designers, videographers, sociologists, and a great team to help her businessor traditional knowledge bearers, she evolve, Monnet shows no signs ofsays. Then we can create these amazing slowing down. She has solo exhibitionsprojects that have a real impact on coming up in Berlin and at the Armory inthe world.56A CCIB PUBLICATIONSummer 2024'