Education is, first and foremost, a business. As is exemplified by rising tuition costs, educational institutions are not charity organizations. There are a vast number of arts education schools in the states and the competition between schools is fierce. If schools desire to be well thought of as serious...

In September of 2010 The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship will open at 3020 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. As an independent but collaborative effort with Jim Hart’s Austin Conservatory of Professional Arts, IAE will be devoted to the development of the artist as entrepreneur. Lead by...

In the last three months I have been working with a new client-Dr. Julia Rahn, the owner of Flourish Studios www.ICanFlourish.com. Flourish is a self and family development center located at 3020 N Lincoln Avenue here in Chicago. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Julia’s experience lead her to combining...

My wish for you, ON CHRISTMAS DAY, will be for you TOO, to keep the GRINCH at bay! But if by chance, you simply cannot, Band mighty together, as a great big Who-Ville lot! WWHHYY????? Smarty-Arty, I hear you say? BECAUSE, with all your JOY stirring together, the grinch who came to visit, just might...

How many times have you and I felt that family, friends, and people we don’t even know are, in some way, typecasting us as economically naïve, foolish, or even irresponsible for pursuing our creativity? How many of us have succomb to the pressure of this typecast and gotten that safe day job...

Reform. Change. Do these words together mark the birth place of entrepreneurship for the arts? Before you decide consider this: reform will never be achieved by redistributing knowledge. In other words, sending artists to the business school for training will teach them more facts but little if nothing...

My phone rang about five minutes ago. A friend called to ask me where have I been lately? My response was, ” What do you mean, I’ve been right here?” And to that he replied, ” Well, I certainly haven’t read anything on your blog this week that YOU have written- where are...

Learning to manage your emotions in business is a challenge for everyone, but especially for artists. In life we all strive to balance our decision making process using just the right amount of emotion and just the right amount of logic to come to a decision we feel is justified, worthy and that we...

As many of you know, from reading my blog, I have climbed several tall mountains and swam the distance between two continents writing, developing, editing and securing an agent for my book. And yet, I still must do more to demonstrate to six remaining publishers that my book Build a Blue Bike: Ride Your...

If according to Barry Moltz it isn’t necessarily success or failure that should guide us to learn or evolve, then what should? Frankly, I think coincidence and irony, or their absence, are a far better indicator of places in life to pause and listen. I agree with Barry that success and failure...

What could you create with a single blank piece of paper? Well, you could write down one fantastic business idea that you have and act on it? Who knows, twenty years from now this one piece of paper may embody one of the most important moments of your life. Are you ready to give your idea a try? Or...

I can’t tell you her name, but I can tell you her life is falling apart. Or is it just about to really begin? Collection agents are calling her daily. She went to a homeless shelter for her last meal. Most of her clothes have holes. Going shopping means a trip to Goodwill. She usually counts the...

Throughout my life I have noticed the times when my heart passionately flutters and the times my heart has beat in fear. As exciting as a fluttering heart can be, or as much motivation as a fearful one can produce, a calm heart is what brings me prosperity and peace. It is only when my heart beat is...

Making positive changes in your life, your business or in your relationships requires trust. When I am working on anything challenging in life, I seek first the answers from within and then ask my husband and two other dearly trusted friends. If my husband or my friends have a different perspective,...

I have never felt so inspired in my life. Friday night I went to Transitions Book Store, 1000 W. North Avenue Chicago, IL and had the priviledge of hearing Tama Kieves speak about her book This Time I Danced. After graduating with honors from Harvard University in Law, and rising quickly on the fast...

#1 According to HEADS, The Higher Education Arts Data Services Project, a joint effort of the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Dance, the United States...

Italy was an amazing experience culturally and socially. I was a soloist with a wind ensemble that was hosted by the city of Olgiat Comasco in Northern Italy in the Lombardie region. That particular area is the home of George Clooney on Lake Como, the centerpiece of the area. Let me tell you, George...

It only takes winning one big audition in life to have all the opportunities you ever need. Just one. As I search for a star publisher or literary agent, my biggest wish is to find one that has represented or published a fair number of household names. I want an A+ agent or publishing house; really rare...

It’s a fine line Between recklessness and courage Travel the line And you will find That it’s about time You decide which road to take  *************** It’s a long way Between creation and chaos With 14 miles to go Until your heart reads empty It’s about time You decide which choice...

Tonight I received, in the mail, a letter from the law offices of Latham & Watkins (Big expensive law firm)  demanding that I remove my application for trademark of Entrepreneur The Arts. According to Entrepreneur Magazine’s attorney’s, my trademark could be easily confused with their...