What is entrepreneurship?
What is arts entrepreneurship?
What is ArtsStart.org all about?
How do I use ArtsStart.org?
Can I duplicate the free materials?
How can I help artists and ArtsStart.org?
What is entrepreneurship?
There are many definitions of entrepreneurship, from simple to complex. The word entrepreneur is derived from entreprendre, a French word that means "to undertake". In modern times, entrepreneurship is most often thought of in a business context, though it can be applied in many other settings including, family, social, urban, and arts environments. A quick Google® search will provide you with many of the most popular definitions used in education today. ArtsStart.org defines entrepreneurship as "Opportunity Creation to Fuel Success" and is therefore inclusive of all disciplines, markets, and markers for success.
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What is arts entrepreneurship?
The differences between traditional business entrepreneurship and arts entrepreneurship lie not so much in the processes used to create the opportunity, but with the starting point and intent of artists compared to most business entrepreneurs. For example:
- Business entrepreneurs are more willing to answer the demands of the market regardless of where it takes them, whereas musicians and artists fear this may lead to "selling out" or diluting their artistic content. This is especially prevalent in what is commonly referred to as "high art" or "art for arts sake" such as some forms of classical music, jazz, visual arts, or classic dance.
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Artists come to entrepreneurship having invested years of expensive and time consuming training in their craft without determining how it will support them. From the start, business entrepreneurs select and consider opportunities based on potential financial returns.
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Artists are often less focused on financial gain than on artistic merit, audience appreciation, or peer recognition as a measure of their success. Business entrepreneurs are more likely to view financial gain as the primary indicator for success.
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Most artists start as professionals with virtually no education in how to develop themselves commercially. Business entrepreneurs start their careers with the essential training necessary to operate within their market.
These basic differences highlight some of the main differences between arts and business entrepreneurs. ArtsStart.org was created to address these differences and teach the essentials of entrepreneurship in a simple format using the I'mART model.
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What is ArtsStart.org all about?
ArtsStart.org was started to promote entrepreneurship in the artistic community through an easily understood model. Entrepreneurship is certainly not new, but formalized education in the application of entrepreneurship in the arts it has been slow to catch on. Though many professionals in the arts have created wonderful opportunities for themselves, the general populous is quicker to recognize talent and luck as the primary drivers in creating their success. In fact, there are many skills that can be learned that will greatly increase an artist’s chance for success. ArtsStart.org has a mission to educate the artistic community about the power of opportunity creation through entrepreneurship. It does so through materials that are able to translate traditional business and entrepreneurial skills into concepts that resonate with creative professionals.
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How do I use ArtsStart.org?
You can start by downloading the I’mART booklet and other materials from this site. This will give you some background on how the model was created and how it works. Next, check out the links page and see what else is out there in the discipline. It also helps to find a mentor or someone who is doing similar things to what you want to do. Even if you decide to do something that is way out of this world, there are lots of people who can help you with many of the things you don't want to do, or things you don't do well. Building a team around you is vital to creating success! You should also spend some time reading up on the topics in the I'mART model- i.e. do you know what a SWOT analysis is and how it can help you? The net is an amazing source of information on such topics.
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Can I duplicate the free materials?
We ask that you contact us for permission to duplicate any materials. We encourage the use of the model and are actively trying to raise funds to help provide clinics for sponsors that need financial assistance. If we know how many people are using the booklets, it helps us communicate the impact of our work to potential supporters. We typically print out a copy without the watermarks and list your organization on the cover as well.
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How can I help artists and ArtsStart.org?
Let US start by saying thank you for supporting ArtsStart.org and the dream of empowering artists through entrepreneurship. Our goal is to deliver our message and materials to everyone who wants to learn, regardless of their economic level. Your support helps us fill in the gaps and extend our message beyond our means. In addition to funds, we also appreciate in-kind donations, expertise, and just plain ol’ moral support! Please contact us via email to start the process.
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