Arts entrepreneurship

: how to become a successful visual arts entrepreneur?

Abstract

Arts entrepreneurship is an emergent subject of study, which definition is still not consensual. However, the context of action for artistic professions is commonly understood as challenging. To face the obstacles of arts entrepreneurs, literature already includes supportive frameworks for the independent activities. Nonetheless, research papers and models about the subject are still scarce, due to the recency of Creative and Cultural Industries. Moreover, there is a lack of studies approaching specific subsegments of the artistic field. Considering the relevance of the visual arts segment, for creative and modern economies, the following study aims to provide additional research and develop guidance to support visual arts entrepreneurship. Thus, by reviewing the already existent guiding models for arts entrepreneurship, and by drawing a multiple case research on successful visual artists, a new conceptual model arises to support forced or aspiring visual arts ventures. The new framework results from a cross-case analysis of semi-structured interviews, conducted to nine sustainable visual arts entrepreneurs. The data collected allowed to assess the main challenges, motivations and strategies behind the artists’ success. Thus, considering the gathered information, a new supportive framing for visual arts entrepreneurship identifies a set of key helpful mechanisms for success: from specific entrepreneurial actions (within Creativity, Network and Business elements) to required entrepreneurial mindset. This study advances theoretical understanding on arts entrepreneurship and provides helpful tools to assist future generations of visual arts entrepreneurs.

Date of Award	8 Mar 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Cláudia Isabel de Sousa Costa (Supervisor)