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What is an ARTrepreneur?

April 8, 2015

What is an ARTrepreneur?

ARTrepreneur

By Melissa Crum, PhD

ARTrepreneur: A resourceful person who merges his or her artistic skills and business expertise to establish a sustainable career.

ARTrepreneurs are leaders in the creative economy. Their innovation powers the engine of growth and community vitality. ARTrepreneurs produce and distribute goods and services that generate jobs, revenue, and quality of life. From crochet potholders to architecture, many of us want to create something we love and something we think others will love too. What happens when you merge that creativity with a business plan? You become an ARTrepreneur.

Columbus has many artists working to figure out how to make their art a business. The Barnett Center for Integrated Arts and Enterprise strives to support students and members of the Columbus arts community in becoming ARTrepreneurs. The Barnett Center seeks to train Ohio State students in arts entrepreneurship and leadership in arts-centered organizations and actively engage and collaborate with artists, arts organizations and art businesses. The Barnett Center's ongoing mission is to ensure creatives have the knowledge and practical skills to have sustainable careers in our changing economic times.

In collaboration with myself, of Mosaic Education Network, the Barnett Center hosts  the ARTrepreneur Roundtable Series. The first of two roundtables was held March 5. Artists, leaders in arts organizations and representatives of arts-based businesses participated using the World CafĂ©, a style of facilitation used to engage participants in meaningful conversations. Participants discussed various topics regarding the state of the arts community in Columbus.

Many expressed challenges regarding access to fiscal resources and being knowledgeable about where funds are available. Participants noticed that they have been working in insular communities and being unaware of similar challenges occurring across artistic fields and cultural communities. At the conclusion of our session, we all recognized the lack of an arts-centered community of ethnically and artistically diverse members.
 
Part two of the ARTrepreneur Roundtable Series will be April 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Barnett Collaboratory (141 Sullivant Hall). The Barnett Center welcomes interested individuals to help us actively engage and collaborate with artists, arts organizations and art businesses to identify ways to effectively train students to work in the arts.

Space is limited. RSVP Here.