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GREENSBORO -- Passion for their art might drive sculptors, musicians, actors, photographers and writers. But passion alone doesn't pay the bills.

The N.C. Entrepreneurship Center at UNCG wants to help artists earn a full-time living from their passion.

To do that, the center will hold its first Southern Entrepreneurship in the Arts Conference on March 27, offering a day of entrepreneurial training to visual, performing and literary artists and students.

"The purpose is to take artists from survival to success," said Dianne H.B. Welsh, the center's founding director.

Started in September, the center focuses on bringing expertise inside the university out into the community.

Welsh came to Greensboro after directing university entrepreneurship centers in Ohio and Florida. She organized two similar -- and successful -- arts conferences in Florida.

For this conference, experts from Greensboro and well beyond will give practical lessons on the business side of art.

"We have asked speakers to give people take-aways that they can implement the next day," Welsh said.

Among them is Herman Sperling, co-founder of 3D-Incorporated, who also invented the sound systems and technology behind Harman Kardon speakers. He will discuss how to be innovative while creating products that consumers want.

Henry Hutton, who co-founded the Lulu.com online publishing site and founded PublishandSell.com, will talk about selling a book.

From Greensboro's artistic community comes Amanda K. Smith, who graduated in dance from UNCG.

Her topic: "They Didn't Teach Bookkeeping in Bal- let."

She found a way to support her artistic career by becoming a certified Pilates instructor and starting Core Integrity Pilates studio.

Local artists William Mangum and Jim Gallucci will talk about the business of art.

Learn how to make it in the movies from John Lee Jellicorse, Rebecca Clark and Jerry McGuire of the Piedmont Triad Film Commission and Michael Corbett of Piedmont Community College.

A certified public accountant will talk about finance. Attorneys will discuss legal issues.

Triad Stage co-founders Preston Lane and Richard Whittington will describe how to start a theater company.

Learn about the photography business from NyghtFalcon, the music business from Shawn Copeland and Steve Haines.

Writer Quinn Dalton will talk about freelancing.

Entrepreneurial skills are vital for survival in a struggling economy, said Duane Cyrus, who is co-chairman of the conference with Margaret Collins of the Piedmont Triad Partnership.

"Let's face it, how many of us are going to have a benefactor that we can trust with endless pockets?" said Cyrus, who teaches dance at UNCG and runs his own dance company.

The conference should benefit not only artists, but also the community, Welsh said.

She referred to statistics indicating that North Carolina's creative industry accounts for nearly 300,000 jobs and produces goods and services with a market value of $41.4 billion.

Arts and culture also benefit the economy by attracting visitors who in turn patronize businesses such as restaurants and hotels.

"We need to pay more attention to this and acknowledge how important it is to the whole community," Welsh said.

Contact Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane at 373-5204 or dawn.kane@news-record.com