Career & Professional Experience (CAPX)

Monday, March 2 
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Sharp Building, Room 327

Working independently as an artist involves more than creative skill. It also requires an understanding of the systems that support sustainable freelance practice. This session breaks down how freelancing works, with a clear look at common business structures, tax responsibilities, and the realities of operating as an independent contractor.

Participants will learn how to think about freelancing as a professional practice, including how income is structured, what documents are essential when getting started, and how to make informed decisions that support long-term stability. The session emphasizes practical tools and real-world frameworks that students can apply as they begin or refine their freelance work.

This event is part of CAPX's How It Works series, which offers a set of concentrated, skills-oriented sessions that present critical components of creative careers as applicable methods for students and alums. Sessions offer practical strategies and expert guidance anchored in current professional standards.

About the speaker
Libia Bianibi is the Deputy Director of Building Equity & Alignment for Environmental Justice (BEA), with extensive experience overseeing operations and finance in nonprofits across the arts and environmental justice sectors. Her work focuses on making the business side of creative practice accessible and understandable, supporting artists in building sustainable independent careers. Libia teaches Financial Management in the Arts Administration & Policy program at SAIC, where she earned her MA, and she holds an MS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign.

Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) events are open to SAIC students, alums, faculty, and staff. For access requests, including ASL interpretation or audio description, visit saic.edu/access.

Wednesday, March 4 
3:30–5:00 p.m. 
MacLean, Room 302

Get ready for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's upcoming Internship & Career Fair with this resume workshop tailored for careers in the arts and creative industries. This session is especially helpful if you're crafting a resume for the first time or looking to strengthen your materials for applications.

The workshop will begin with a presentation from CAPX staff on resume essentials, including strategies for highlighting relevant skills and experience, as well as tips for tailoring your resume to specific opportunities. After the presentation, there will be time for guided work and questions.

We recommend bringing a printed copy of your resume, a laptop or tablet with a charger, and something to write with.

Be sure to also check out our final prep workshop, How to Introduce Yourself (Wednesday, March 11, 3:30–5:30 p.m.), and register for the Internship & Career Fair (Wednesday, March 25, 3:00–5:00 p.m.)!

Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) events are open to SAIC students, alums, faculty, and staff. For access requests, including ASL interpretation or audio description, visit saic.edu/access.

Wednesday, March 11
3:30–5:30 p.m.
Sharp Building, Neiman Center, First Floor 

Join us for the final prep workshop leading up to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Internship & Career Fair. This session will focus on communication strategies to help you confidently introduce yourself in interviews, networking conversations, and other professional settings.

Guest speaker Meenakshi Dash (BFA 1997) will share practical tips for crafting clear and compelling self-introductions that effectively highlight your strengths, experiences, and goals. She’ll also cover key elements of professional communication, including body language, tone, and presence—tools that will help you make a strong impression in any setting.

Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) events are open to SAIC students, alums, faculty, and staff. For access requests, including ASL interpretation or audio description, visit saic.edu/acces

Monday, March 23
3:00–5:00 p.m. 
Location TBD

Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) events are open to SAIC students, alums, faculty, and staff. For access requests, including ASL interpretation or audio description, visit saic.edu/access.

Monday, March 30
3:00–5:00 p.m.
Location TBD

Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) events are open to SAIC students, alums, faculty, and staff. For access requests, including ASL interpretation or audio description, visit saic.edu/access.

Monday, March 30
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Zoom

Attorney Dirk Vanover (Vanover Legal, LLC) will provide an accessible overview of copyright law, including what copyright protects, how rights are created and enforced, and practical steps you can take to help safeguard your creative works.

This event is part of CAPX's How It Works series, which offers a set of concentrated, skills-oriented sessions that present critical components of creative careers as applicable methods for students and alums. Sessions offer practical strategies and expert guidance anchored in current professional standards.

About the speaker:
Dirk Vanover is the founder of Vanover Legal, LLC, and his practice covers entertainment, intellectual property, and business law. He is a former chair of the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Intellectual Property section and the American Bar Association's Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries Literary Publishing division. He is the author of Comics Startup 101: Key Legal and Business Issues for Comic Book Creators, and he writes about legal and business issues impacting the comics and entertainment industries at ComicsLawyer.com.

Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) events are open to SAIC students, alums, faculty, and staff. For access requests, including ASL interpretation or audio description, visit saic.edu/access.