“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” ~Alvin Toffler Suddenly it’s feeling like spring here in Chicago, and I am reminded of my own commitment to be the driver — and not just passive...

For those of you who know me, and for those of you who do not (yet), it is not a secret how passionate and determined I have been throughout my professional career in the arts to help artists not only survive but make a difference with the talents they have. And yet, I cannot say often enough, it is...

If I told you I could make a genie came out of this lamp and grant you three wishes for anything in the world you wanted would you believe it could really happen? How far are you willing to believe in what your imagination can do for you and your future as an artist? The truth of the matter is that...

Henry Fogel, the most well known executive director to orchestras and orchestral musicians around the world, gave this speech to The National Association of School Music administrators in November of 2009.  As I read it my heart jumped for joy! It is so deeply satisfying to see someone with so much...

So, this Friday The IAE is hosting this real fun private networking event for artists and entrepreneurs at Rockit Bar in Chicago downtown. We have had a lot of people sign up for the event. We even released another 50 tickets for more folks to attend and they, too, all went fast.  Feels great to have...

“We need to make 2010 what Obama should have made 2009: the year of innovation.” ~Thomas Friedman in the New York Times As I continue to speak out, discuss with others, and read/hear thought leaders grappling with how to make our culture more innovative, I am struck by common themes and agreements....

I’ve been having a great time the last several weeks developing the syllabus for a course we’re calling “Foundations of Arts Entrepreneurship” that I’ll teach for the first time a year from now. It’s a challenge to determine the right balance between content related to creativity and innovation,...

I thought you would all enjoy checking out our new community map. Artist and aspiring arts entrepreneur Brandy LaChapelle designed it.

Happy 10th anniversary SEA! The SEA conference is coming right up and if you have never attended you need to! Come learn more about how to turn your artistic passion into a living from other successful artists. What The Conference Offers In addition to keynote presentations, topic specific sessions...

When we think about what kind of business we can create with our artistic skills, sometimes the ideas that come to mind piggy-back on to the product of another. Think of iphone apps and you quickly get the idea. The story of Jibbitz illustrates this idea perfectly: For years, Sheri, a busy mother of...

Earlier this month, The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman, was  interviewed on PBS’s NewsHour by Jeff Brown.  If you did not have a chance to hear this, it is a terrific interview and has much to inspire the ideas of artist as innovator/entrepreneur. Rocco Landesman...

Still tasting the tortillas from my recent excursion to Mexico, I am most struck by one cultural difference here: a distorted sense of urgency of American life. We always have somewhere we have to get to, something else we must do, this to get done, that deadline to meet. It’s a badge we wear....

There is an opinion piece in today’s Arizona Republic by Craig Barrett, former CEO of Intel, about creating an environment for innovation in the state in which I live. Among his other observations, he writes, “just look at the thousands of startup companies around Stanford and UC-Berkeley and Harvard...

It seems that every time I am interviewed by someone who is interested in my work, the question always comes up: “Well, do you still play the clarinet? What do you do as an artist?” For some time now, I have been scratching my head and thinking to myself, “What is it that I am saying...

Have all of you noticed the amount of press The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship has already received?  Our first press release continues to be picked up on blogs and news feeds! This is so exciting for us! The most recent shout out came from  ENTmind– a blog devoted to Entrepreneurs helping...

Thanks Entrepreneur Magazine for this great article! Written by Jason Ankeny   |   Entrepreneur Magazine – January 2010 Poster art is expanding beyond concert promotion into small-business arenas as companies break away from conventional marketing. Forget Starbucks, Caribou...

This incredibly well written article speaks to the reason why I created The Bite-Size Arts Ensemble™ and why students at theIAE.com will learn the value of further developing their imaginations to create the kind of connectivity- whole brain thinking- our world so desperately needs to, again, lead...

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is...

I’m sitting on a rooftop in Oaxaca, Mexico, attempting to de-rat-ify from the American ratrace, seeking creative renewal as I wrap up a year of “blarticles.” This is the 86th time I’ve reflected on creativity and innovation this year (Click to access my full Innovation on My Mind...

In the late 1980’s Phil Stanton and 2 of his friends began giving free performances on the streets of New York City. “We had a character idea,” said Stanton of the group’s early days. “We added to each characters experience, and it –grew—it still continues to grow.”  ...