The Jessye Norman School of the Arts to launch the second annual J-Tank, a Shark-Tank style business coaching program for Local CSRA Families

The Jessye Norman School of the Arts will soon host a Shark-Tank style business coaching program for interested CSRA families. The Program, “J-Tank”, is a collaboration between the school and the AU Hull College of Business, Augusta Housing Authority, Georgia Power, and the Augusta Partnership for Children. The project will underscore the importance of art as a vehicle for economic empowerment. Families can apply at thejnsa.org/jtank.

Interested families of 4th to 12th grade students are invited to apply for the program. Eight families will be selected to enter into the J-tank program, which consists of 4 weeks of business coaching with professionals in finance, graphic design, business management, and idea development, beginning with an introductory meeting on January 27th, 2023.

Selected families will prepare a business pitch to present on March 11th, 2023, at the J-tank Pitch-a-thon, a live streamed event that gives them the opportunity to present their businesses to judges and potential investors. Each family who successfully completes the program will receive up to $500 dollars in start-up funding for their businesses, as well as continued mentorship from expert coaches to help guide the development of their business ideas.

Carmen Moses, Digital Artist and Performing Arts Director for the JNSA, is the project lead for this year’s J-Tank program. “I am looking forward to a successful second year of J-tank, and making a difference in families lives,” says Moses. “I hope that with some guidance and inspiration, students and their families will be able to see that they have a supportive community who wants to see them succeed and change their lives for the better.”

The school hopes that the project will bring some fun, vibrant new businesses to Augusta’s local economy and empower students to use their talents and artistic curiosity to realize their goals. All participants will learn about branding, idea development, marketing, as well as the basics of generating and managing new income.

Interested participants can apply at thejnsa.org/jtank. If you have questions or would like to become involved with the program, email Executive Director Gary Dennis at [email protected].