Art Hub’s Jacy Eckerman takes top prize for “Who Arted? Clay Project Menus,” a
business-to-business subscription poised to bring new revenue into Cambridge’s creative
economy.
CAMBRIDGE, WI – Collaborative 523 Inc., in partnership with the Wisconsin Economic
Development Corporation (WEDC), has announced Jacy Eckerman as the winner of the second
cohort of its Business Pitch Competition. Eckerman, owner and founder of Art Hub, was
awarded a $25,000 cash prize for her new concept, “Who Arted? Clay Project Menus.”
The winning concept is a subscription-based product that gives pottery studios, paint-your-own
pottery businesses, and arts centers across the country with ready-to-use clay programming for
walk-in customers. Subscribers receive seasonal clay project menus, instructional materials,
video tutorials and done-for-you marketing assets.
The offering is designed to help art studios increase revenue and streamline staffing needs,
while enabling customers to enjoy independent, self-guided art experiences.
“This competition exists to help new entrepreneurs and established businesses take their next
big step,” said Kayla Papenfuss, Collaborative 523 Inc. board member. “‘Who Arted?’ builds on
Jacy’s proven track record and will bring new revenue, jobs and opportunities into our
community.”
By marketing the subscription nationally, Eckerman expects to bring outside revenue into the
local economy while creating new jobs to produce its programming.
Eckerman’s ties to the local community run deeper than Art Hub. She is also the founder of Art
on Main, an annual weekend-long art festival held in downtown Cambridge, an event supported
in part by Collaborative 523 Inc.
The Business Pitch Competition is one component of Collaborative 523 Inc.’s Grow Cambridge
initiative, made possible through a $182,000 grant from the WEDC. The competition supports
entrepreneurs developing and expanding their business concepts that strengthen the local
economy. The final cohort of the competition will begin this fall.
The Village of Cambridge is also a member of WEDC’s Connect Communities program, which
supports downtown revitalization efforts statewide.
Collaborative 523 Inc. will assist the remaining competition participants in bringing their
business concepts to Cambridge.
About Collaborative 523 Inc.:
Collaborative 523 Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting community
and economic development in Cambridge, Wisconsin. Learn more at
www.collaborative523.org.
For media inquiries, please contact: Cathy Yerges, Executive Director
collaborative523@gmail.com