Abstract
How to avoid the starving artist trope for a college or university’s alumni? For years, many have contended that for those pursing a higher education degree in the fine arts should also be developing business and entrepreneurial skills as part of their curricular pathway (Thom, 2016; Hong, Essig & Bridgstock, 2012). Many believe a practical hands-on understanding of key business and entrepreneurial implementation tactics is part of art students’ future career success, especially given the prevalence of polyoccupationalism (Hénaut, Lena, Accominotti, 2023). However, a recent review of literature reveals an ongoing art school graduate self-perceived deficit in much-needed entrepreneurial and business academic kills (SPAAD, 2022; Guo & McGraw, 2023). Even practicing artists and faculty strongly suggest the need for these missing business and entrepreneurial skill sets (Bridgstock, 2012; Zhang & Wang, 2022). Through an original comparative analysis of 50+ art schools and current digitally published curriculum outlines for 150+ artistic majors within higher education institutions, this author contends there is still a gap between the acknowledged need for arts and business skills in higher education and curricular realities. This analysis concludes by highlighting new directions at some universities and potential continuing education opportunities for schools globally to consider. Curricular efforts to develop students’ artistic visions, refine their craft and build their entrepreneurial business skills could lead to greater institutional outcomes in terms of employment and alignment with artistic education, a stronger alumni network and potentially, exciting new directions for a plethora of artistic products and services.
Presenters
Margaret A. MurphyAssociate Professor, School of Business & Entrepreneurship, Columbia College Chicago, Illinois, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Arts Education, Higher Education, Business Skills, Entrepreneurial Coursework
