This lesson is designed to introduce emerging artists and youth aged 16-25 to the concept of arts entrepreneurship, which involves using creativity and business skills to start an arts-related business.
Summary:
The lesson begins by defining what arts entrepreneurship is and discussing its importance in the creative industry, before highlighting examples of successful arts entrepreneurs. Students are then encouraged to brainstorm their own arts entrepreneurship ideas, with prompts and group discussion, before sharing their ideas with the group. Through this lesson, participants will gain an understanding of the possibilities that arts entrepreneurship offers and be encouraged to think creatively about how they can turn their artistic passions into successful businesses.
Research and Resources:
- The design and development of digital return platforms for Northern Indigenous heritage (PDF)
- Cultivating a digital heritage: Social media and emerging technologies meet traditional knowledge and cultural history (Article)
- RESDA Knowledge Sharing Toolkit Guide (PDF)
- Kivalliqmiut participants help design international entrepreneurship course (Article)
- Enhancing Our People Our Climate (Project)
Objectives:
- Define what arts entrepreneurship is
- Discuss the importance of arts entrepreneurship in the creative industry
- Introduce the group to some examples of successful arts entrepreneurs
- Encourage learners to think creatively and develop their own arts entrepreneurship ideas
Materials:
- Digital device, laptop or tablet
- Handouts with examples of successful arts entrepreneurs
- Prompts for brainstorming arts entrepreneurship ideas
OUTLINE
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Introduce the topic of arts entrepreneurship and explain that it is about using creativity and business skills to start your own arts-related business.
Arts entrepreneurship is a growing field that merges the creative arts and business worlds. It’s a career area that’s all about using your artistic talents, passions and skills to start and run a profitable arts-related business. It’s a way to take control of your career and create opportunities for yourself using the arts.
But arts entrepreneurship is not just about creating art – it’s about taking the business side of things seriously too. To succeed you will need to have an understanding of marketing, branding, budgeting, networking, and more. You’ll need to be able to think like an entrepreneur and constantly look for ways to innovate and adapt to changes in the market.
But the beauty of arts entrepreneurship is that it allows you to turn your passion into a profession. Whether you’re a visual artist, a musician, a performer, a writer or any other kind of creative, arts entrepreneurship can help you make a living doing what you love. You can start small, with a local business or online shop, and build from there. Or you can aim high, with the goal of becoming a well-known artist, performer or creative entrepreneur.
Arts entrepreneurship is also about taking risks and being willing to fail. Not every idea will be a success, but with perseverance, dedication and hard work, you can create a sustainable and fulfilling career in the arts. It’s a way to make a meaningful contribution to the world and to inspire others to pursue their own creative passions.
So if you’re a creative looking for a way to turn your passion into a profession, consider exploring arts entrepreneurship. It’s a path that requires both creativity and business savvy, but the rewards can be enormous.
- Ask the group if they have any experience with arts entrepreneurship, or if they know anyone who has started their own creative business.
Defining Arts Entrepreneurship (10 minutes)
- Write “Arts Entrepreneurship” on the whiteboard or screen and have participants brainstorm ideas about what it means to them.
- Discuss their ideas and try to define what arts entrepreneurship is.
- Emphasize that it’s about taking your creativity and using it to build a sustainable business.
Emphasizing that arts entrepreneurship is about taking your creativity and using it to build a sustainable business means highlighting the importance of combining creative talents with business acumen to create a viable and profitable venture. This means that a successful arts business requires not only creativity but also a strategic mindset, financial planning, marketing, branding, and other essential business skills.
By emphasizing the sustainability of the business, you are emphasizing the need to create a viable and stable enterprise that can support the artist’s livelihood for years to come. This involves having a solid business plan that includes financial projections, target audience identification, and a marketing strategy to reach them. It also means creating a business model that aligns with the artist’s values, goals, and creative vision.
Emphasizing the importance of building a sustainable business in arts entrepreneurship helps artists understand that their creativity can be both fulfilling and profitable. By using their artistic talents to create a viable business, artists can have the freedom to pursue their creative passions while also making a living doing what they love.
Brainstorming Session (20 minutes)
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- Divide students into small groups and give them prompts to brainstorm their own arts entrepreneurship ideas.
- Have them think about what skills and interests they have that they can turn into a business.
- Encourage them to think creatively and outside of the box.
- After 20 minutes, have each group share their ideas with the rest of the class.
Examples of Successful Arts Entrepreneurs (20 minutes)
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- Hand out examples of successful arts entrepreneurs to the group.
- Discuss each example, highlighting how they turned their passion for the arts into a successful business.
- Encourage participants to ask questions and take notes.
Wrap-up (5 minutes)
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- Review the main points of the session.
- Encourage learners to keep thinking about arts entrepreneurship and to pursue their creative passions.
Here are some suggestions to encourage youth artists and learners to keep thinking about arts entrepreneurship and to pursue their creative passions:
“Remember, you are the driving force behind your success. Your unique vision, creativity, and passion will set you apart from others. Keep pushing yourself to be innovative and stay true to your artistic vision. Surround yourself with supportive people who share your passion for the arts. Build a network of mentors, collaborators, and advisors who can help you along the way.”
“Remember that arts entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It’s also about making a positive impact on the world through your creativity. So stay true to your values and use your art to make a difference in your community and beyond.”
“Believe in yourself and your abilities. Pursuing a career in the arts can be challenging, but with hard work, dedication, and persistence, you can achieve your goals and create a fulfilling life doing what you love.”
Assessment:
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- The facilitator can assess learners’ participation in the brainstorming session and their ability to come up with creative arts entrepreneurship ideas.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully thank and acknowledge this project was made possible with financial support from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse in 2022 and the Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program in 2023.
