Synopsis of 2012 Lecture Series

The new program: Entrepreneurship in the Arts presented by the Studio, Media Arts, + Art History Department has completed its fall lecture series.  This dynamic new initiative was well received by faculty, staff, and students from our department. The fall lecture series included professionals from a variety of disciplines within the arts including: marketing, film, gallery, and architecture.  The formats for these lectures varied from power point presentation to round table discussions to strait forward talks. Attendance ranged from around 60 to 100+ and included students and faculty from theater, communications, and architecture as well. Every lecture was unique in its content and delivery. Each speaker presented a different perspective and directly addressed entrepreneurial aspects that were essential to their success and that of artists. I believe students as well as faculty and staff greatly benefitted from the diversity and subjects covered. It was eye opening to some, inspiring to others, and energizing to others. These talks showcased the great wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience we have in our backyard and reinforced that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in our creative community. I believe this launch displayed the great promise and future for our entrepreneurship program.

As this program evolves from its pilot series to a career-based class, we continue with the goal to better equip our students with entrepreneurial skillsets that will create advantages for them once they enter the workforce. This will be achieved through inspiration, support and direction from faculty as well as collaborations with professionals in their respective creative fields.

The Entrepreneurship in the Arts class will apply entrepreneurial action in the development and implementation of their artistic practice. Areas addressed will include: recognizing opportunity, creativity, innovation, and equilibration (rebalancing a market). Additionally students will be required to understand the art economy in which they will participate.