Minor
About Entrepreneurship in the Arts (Minor Only) at CSUSB
The Entrepreneurship in the Arts minor at Cal State San Bernardino empowers students to blend creative practice with business acumen.
This interdisciplinary program is designed for artists, performers, and creative thinkers who want to build sustainable careers by learning how to launch, manage, and grow artistic ventures in the 21st-century economy.
Students explore topics such as creative entrepreneurship, arts marketing, funding and revenue models for the arts, audience development, project management, and the legal and ethical dimensions of creative work.
The curriculum blends theory and real-world practice, helping students articulate their artistic vision while developing the strategic thinking and business skills needed to succeed as cultural entrepreneurs.
This minor complements majors in art, music, theatre, digital media, communication studies, graphic design, marketing, and other creative fields, as well as majors interested in the intersection of creativity and commerce.
Careers in Entrepreneurship in the Arts (Minor Only)
The Entrepreneurship in the Arts minor prepares students for careers where creativity meets enterprise. Whether students aim to launch their own creative business, work within arts organizations, or bring innovative thinking to traditional industries, the skills acquired in this minor are versatile and market-relevant.
Career pathways include:
- Creative entrepreneur (founder of arts or cultural ventures)
- Arts manager or producer for festivals, performance spaces, galleries, and nonprofits
- Arts marketing and audience engagement specialist
- Cultural project coordinator or event planner
- Brand storyteller or creative consultant
- Freelance creative professional with business strategy expertise
- Arts nonprofit leadership and development
- Social enterprise and community arts programming
- Creative roles in entertainment, media, and digital platforms
Graduates also build a strong foundation for graduate study in arts management, cultural policy, business administration, or social entrepreneurship.
Sample Courses
The Artist Entrepreneur: Innovation and Leadership in the Arts
Answers the question what and who is an entrepreneur? Examines the creative intersection between entrepreneurship and the arts, and specifically addresses the basics of creativity, ideation, and the freedom mindset.
The Artist Entrepreneur's Toolkit
Explores the nuts and bolts of small business management skills necessary for an entrepreneurial venture in the arts.
Venture Ideation, Analysis, and Development in the Arts
Topics include, but are not limited to, pattern recognition, rapid opportunity analysis, resources, and the development of sustainable business models.
Meet Professor Stacey Fraser, DMA
Opportunities for Students
Students in the Entrepreneurship in the Arts minor benefit from hands-on experiences, real-world projects, and industry-connected learning opportunities:
- Courses that combine creative practice with entrepreneurial strategy, including business planning, arts marketing, and project management
- Opportunities to build professional portfolios, pitch creative ventures, and develop business plans for artistic projects
- Collaborative projects with arts partners, community organizations, and creative professionals
- Mentorship from faculty with experience in arts entrepreneurship, creative industries, and cultural leadership
- Access to incubator programs, workshops, and arts-focused business resources on and off campus
- Participation in exhibitions, performances, and creative showcases that integrate entrepreneurial strategies
- Networking with arts leaders, entrepreneurs, and alumni who work at the intersection of culture and commerce
- Events, speaker series, and panel discussions with successful creative professionals and business innovators
These experiences help students not only strengthen their artistic voice but also develop the entrepreneurial mindset and practical skills needed to transform creative passions into sustainable careers.
Similar to Entrepreneurship in the Arts (Minor Only)
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