Adventuring arts entrepreneurship curricula in higher education: An examination of present efforts, obstacles, and best practices

As arts entrepreneurship programs emerge in higher education, many remain idiosyncratic because of a lack of oversight by accreditation organizations. This diversity has spawned a number of philosophical and curricular trajectories in these programs; these different programs reflect the unique microcultures of theater, art, and music units. What has been lacking is a broad understanding of curricular and program development practices and techniques. This article is the result of a national study funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and aims to outline best practices in arts entrepreneurship education and to gain some understanding about the curricular structure, interest in, and growth of these efforts. After interviewing decision makers and students about the topic, it is clear the interest in arts entrepreneurship education is strong, widespread, and rapidly growing.