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www.lycoming.eduT H E CO L L E G E
A
2013 article
in The Guardian*
declared, “All artists
are entrepreneurs,”
adding, “This is not a
new or innovative way
of thinking.” While
the idea certainly isn’t
new, it hadn’t quite
made its way to college
art curriculums until
recently. Traditionally,
in undergraduate and
graduate programs
across the country,
students learn how to
draw, paint and sculpt,
how to discuss their art,
and even how to consider
it philosophically, but
not how to monetize
it. In other words, they
learn about art, but not
the business of art.
Dr. Bonita Kolb is looking to fill that gap in knowledge with
her new book, “Entrepreneurship for the Creative and Cultural
Industries,” which focuses on guiding creative individuals in
basic business concepts to empower them to be successful.
“All creative individuals, if they sell their artistic efforts, are
also business people,” Dr. Kolb said. “The more income they
can derive from their art, the less time and effort will need to go
into obtaining income from other sources.”
The push for student-artists to become more business-
minded is, according to Kolb, being encouraged by families as
well. Parents are concerned that their children in creative fields
will be unemployed and unable to afford their student loans.
Thus, Kolb’s new book includes advice from professional
artists who have transformed their ideas into a profitable
business. It also teaches students to understand the basics of
business language, to appreciate the crucial importance of
finance and to use social media for marketing, giving them the
tools they need to turn their art practice into a financially viable
venture.
“Entrepreneurship for the Creative and Cultural Industries”
will be published by Routledge in April of 2015.
•
*“Artist as entrepreneur: the American model or same old
American dream?” by Andrew Horwitz.
A
rtwork by Howard
Tran, associate professor
of art and department
chair, was included in
the “Almost Human”
exhibition at Converge
Gallery in Williamsport. The show was on display from Nov.
21 to Jan.31 and highlighted the efforts of local as well as
international artists who have shown everywhere from New
York City to Russia.
“I am very pleased to be exhibiting with this group of well-
respected, established artists,” Tran said. “It is a very strong
show with a common figurative element executed in a wide
range of aesthetic approaches.”
Tran’s work ranges from figurative to abstract sculpture.
Utilizing traditional and nontraditional materials, he creates
pieces that emphasize texture and symbols that reflect his
Vietnamese/Chinese background.
The exhibition itself, “Almost Human,” was arranged around
the following question: “What defines a human being as such
and which tools do we have to investigate the boundary between
being human and not being human?” It explored elements
that allowed not only ordinary viewers, but also scientists and
intellectuals in general to individuate and circumscribe the
main physical and conceptual features of a human being.
•
Art professor featured
IN PHILOSOPHICAL EXHIBITION AT
CONVERGE GALLERY
The business of art
DR. BONITA KOLB’S FIFTH BOOK AIMS
TO HELP ARTISTS BECOME PROFESSIONALS
All creative individuals,
if they sell their artistic
efforts, are also business
people.
I am very pleased to be
exhibiting with this group
of well-respected,
established artists.
”
”