Government and Corporate Contracts Drive Women-Owned Business Growth

Students Help Paint a Saint-Cyr Art Studios Design Mural

Saint-Cyr Art Studios, a women-owned business led by two Haitian sisters, has designed and implemented custom murals, beautifying spaces and building community through collaborative art.

Why Focus on Local Government and Corporate Contracts

Saint-Cyr didn’t initially set out to build a full-service mural agency by contracting with local governments, healthcare corporations, and nonprofits. Her journey began in 2019 with a vision to provide visual arts programming in underserved communities on Long Island. "I saw a need for visual arts programming throughout certain communities on Long Island," Saint-Cyr explains.

Motivating Artists Through Subcontracting

Marie Saint-Cyr’s journey with Saint-Cyr Art Studio has been marked by significant growth and valuable lessons learned. Initially focused on art education programs, Saint-Cyr expanded into murals for schools, which required adapting to new challenges and scaling the business rapidly.

Growth and Recognition

The turning point for Saint-Cyr came with increased opportunities and larger projects, particularly with government and corporate contracts as a Black woman-owned business. This growth, while positive, brought complexities. "In 2022, all New York City public schools got $75,000 to spend on the arts," Saint-Cyr said. Her team secured numerous contracts, which meant scaling operations quickly. "Within a month, we were able to close about half a million plus," she noted.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

This influx of work forced Saint-Cyr to grow her team and increase production. "We would have to learn how to do four or five murals a week happening simultaneously," she pointed out. However, this rapid expansion led to some painful lessons. Saint-Cyr realized her systems and processes were not robust enough to handle the increased workload. "We didn’t have systems and processes in place," she admitted. "Basically, we’re just figuring it out as we went."

Conclusion

Saint-Cyr’s initial vision to serve her community through art has expanded beyond her expectations. By focusing on government and corporate contracting as a Black woman-owned business, she has grown her business and amplified her impact, bringing art and beauty to a broader audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Saint-Cyr Art Studios?
  Saint-Cyr Art Studios is a women-owned business led by two Haitian sisters that designs and implements custom murals, beautifying spaces and building community through collaborative art.
• What is the focus of Saint-Cyr Art Studios?
  Saint-Cyr Art Studios initially focused on art education programs, but shifted its focus to securing mural contracts with local governments and corporations.
• What are some of the challenges Saint-Cyr faced in her business?
  Saint-Cyr faced challenges in managing a growing team of artists, managing productivity and accountability, and providing financial security to artists.
• What did Saint-Cyr learn from her experiences?
  Saint-Cyr learned the importance of having robust systems and processes in place, and the need to adapt to change. She also learned that providing financial security to artists does not always translate to increased motivation or productivity.