Artistic and business savvy leaders are vital to the success of professional artists and within creative industries and cultural organizations. Gustavus's arts entrepreneurship program links your fine arts involvement with career-related skills to prepare you to contribute within the arts long after leaving college. You'll take courses across departments, from English to business. You'll learn financial management, marketing, grant writing, and much more. Graduates from this program leave ready to stay involved in the arts as a hobby, a volunteer or board member for an arts organization, or a career professional.
As an arts entrepreneurship student at Gustavus Adolphus, you are joining a vibrant community of artists and performers. The State of Minnesota, a national leader in support of the performing and visual arts and Gustavus is the only place in the state with an undergraduate program of this kind. Located in St. Peter, MN, the beautiful Gustavus Adolphus campus is a perfect place to build close-knit relationships with proximity to big-city opportunities. You're minutes away from the medium-sized city of Mankato and an hour from the dynamic Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Your path may lead you to being a museum curator, running a music education program, or serving on the board for the local community theatre. Or maybe you want to be a full-time artist. Gustavus's arts entrepreneurship minor gives you outstanding experience to be a leader in arts management. Your courses are focused on building applicable knowledge and skills to understand how arts organizations work, from building an audience to funding. You'll learn through case studies and can gain experience in the business side of the arts with leadership skills, financial skills, and marketing.
The Arts Entrepreneurship Salon Series in the Schaefer Fine Arts Gallery invites students to enjoy the fine arts and build their professional experience. You'll network with artists and professionals to discuss questions like how to be a full-time working artist or how to interview for jobs in the industry. The festive atmosphere always includes guest speakers, a small music ensemble performing, food, and visual art exhibited. It is a fun way to get to know others in the program, while learning the latest from the arts industries.
There is a lively artistic and entrepreneurial spirit at Gustavus, and there's no shortage of opportunities. Gustavus empowers you to create career-oriented experiences.
Explore more growth opportunities with the Arts Entrepreneurship program
Gusties in arts entrepreneurship are creative leaders who love building community. The students are a supportive and close-knit group supported by dedicated faculty.
“I encourage students to move beyond their comfort zones toward confidence in their ability to solve problems creatively as they exercise imagination, curiosity, and commitment.” What are your areas of research and teaching expertise? As a studio artist and educator I primarily work with and teach both digital and analog photography and video. I also […]
The arts entrepreneurship program empowers you to blend your passion for the fine arts with the knowledge necessary to contribute in meaningful ways in the arts industry throughout your life. The program equips you with the tools to stay involved in the fine arts as a hobby or to thrive in an art-focused career.
Gustavus Adolphus College offers students different avenues to explore their strengths as musicians and as individuals. Dylan Halom ‘27 and Conor Jolly ‘26 spoke of their time both in official Gustavus ensembles and in their own bands. Halom ‘27 and Jolly ‘26, both music education majors, are a part of a number of official Gustavus […]
