How do you make a career in the arts?
The Minor in Arts Entrepreneurship in the School of the Arts prepares students to put their artistic skills to work. While gaining an understanding of the various career opportunities in the arts and creative industries, you’ll appreciate how innovative, artistic and creative skills are transferable and adaptable to other paths to success. This course of study helps develop the skills and mindset of a creative entrepreneur, enabling all students to respond to the demands of a diversified, contemporary world.
The Minor in Arts Entrepreneurship is designed for all Boise State students, whether you have an arts-related major or want to add an Arts Entrepreneurship credential to any other major.
Arts Entrepreneurship Information
Program Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- AE105 – Conversations with Working Artists (1)
- AE301 – Preparing for Creative Careers (3)
- AE302 – Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Creative Sector (3)
Take at least 2 of the following:
- AE401 – Brand and Marketing in the Arts (3)
- AE402 – Arts Management in Action (3)
- THEA440 – Arts Management (3)
Complete 6 – 12 credits of the following Electives OR one of the following certificates:
Electives:
- AE293 Arts Entrepreneurship Internship (1-12)
- AE493 Arts Entrepreneurship Internship (1-12)
- AE294 – Arts Entrepreneurship Workshops (1-3)
- AE494 – Arts Entrepreneurship Workshops (1-3)
- WRITE280 – Social Storytelling and Leadership (3)
- WRITE314 – Proposal Development (3)
- WRITE408 – Writing for Nonprofits and Social Media (3)
- PRO322 – Media and Social Media Strategies for Professionals (3)
- MEDIA301 – Multimedia Storytelling (3)
- MEDIAPRO303 – Web Design (3)
- COID330 – Creative Concepting (3)
- COID331 – Growth Hacking (3)
- COID334 – Agile Design (3)
- VIP – Vertically integrated Projects (1-6)
Certificates:
- Music Production Certificate (7)
- +Business certificate (12)
- Business Creation Certificate (12)
- Nonprofit Management Certificate (12)
- Social Media Creator Certificate (9)
- Project Management Certificate (7)
- UX design Certificate (12)
- Certificate of Innovation & Design (12)
- Certificate of Content Production (12)
- Certificate of Creative Influence (12)
- LEAD Certificate (12)
Grand Total Credits: 19 – 25
Courses
AE105: Conversations with Working Artists
Working artists, arts administrators and artists working beyond the creative sector participate in a series of discussions allowing students to engage, ask questions and reflect on key issues that will shape their careers.
AE301: Preparing for Creative Careers
Students gain an understanding of their own creative process, learn about the possible career opportunities in the arts and creative economy and develop the basic entrepreneurial skills needed for a successful career in the arts. Gain knowledge of varied cultural, social and economic realities impacting contemporary art disciplines, creative sector collaborations and the role of the arts in society.
AE302: Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Creative Sector
Entrepreneurial skills and arts business activities and practices are introduced. Students will brainstorm, develop original concepts and explore business models, team-building and innovation to create a plan of action for a career in the arts and creative economy.
PREREQ: ENGL102.
AE401: Brand and Marketing in the Arts
Develop foundational structure for a brand by identifying key factors in personal, company or organizational motivation and purpose. Analyze audiences specific to creative products and or services while using the brand foundation to inform creative messaging and design. The process will help emerging artists identify value in brand and execute effectively in the market.
PREREQ: ENGL102 and upper-division standing
AE402: Arts Management in Action
The class provides insight into the management of individual arts businesses, arts organizations, events, creative enterprises and other artistic endeavors. Topics include: artistic content, leadership, fundraising and developing financial resources, community development, cultural facilities, technology, audience development and marketing.
PREREQ: upper-division standing
Workshops
AE294: Arts Entrepreneurship Workshops
Possible workshop topics, among others, include:
- How to be a Teaching Artist
- Building your Creative Skillset
- Intellectual Property and Licensing in the Arts
- Project Planning, Funding and Fundraising
- Best Practices in Self-Producing
- The Creative City
- Art as Social Practice
Course may be repeated for credit.
AE494: Arts Entrepreneurship Workshops
Possible topics, among other relevant topics, include:
- Arts Passport
- How to be a Teaching Artist
- Building your Creative Skillset
- Intellectual Property and Licensing in the Arts
- Project Planning, Funding and Fundraising
- Best Practices in Self-Producing
- The Creative City
- Art as Social Practice
Course may be repeated for credit.
Arts Entrepreneurship Team
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Sue Latta
Lecturer
Sue Latta is a determined and intuitive sculptor who creates visually poignant, skillfully executed artwork utilizing a variety of processes, including welding, woodworking, carving, casting and photography –she’s continually exploring new materials and processes in service of artistic expression.
Sue has held over 20 solo exhibitions and owns The Sculpture Studio in downtown Boise where she teaches and mentors artists and community members in welding, casting, and other artistic disciplines. Her work is found in collections throughout the United States and Canada. She has served as an artist in residence for the City of Boise, the Livestrong Foundation and the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY, and received grants from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, Boise City Arts Commission, ImageOut, Nevada Arts Council and the Alexa Rose Foundation.
The Boise Weekly selected Sue as “Best Local Visual Artist” in 2015 and in 2024, an indication of her wide appeal. She is also committed to giving back to the community. She serves on boards, volunteers for causes and follows her convictions from supporting those undergoing cancer treatments to championing marriage equality.
Sue is generous with her knowledge and bold in her convictions.
Sue Latta is a determined and intuitive sculptor who creates visually poignant, skillfully executed artwork utilizing a variety of processes, including welding, woodworking, carving, casting and photography –she’s continually exploring new materials and processes in service of artistic expression.
Sue has held over 20 solo exhibitions and owns The Sculpture Studio in downtown Boise where she teaches and mentors artists and community members in welding, casting, and other artistic disciplines. Her work is found in collections throughout the United States and Canada. She has served as an artist in residence for the City of Boise, the Livestrong Foundation and the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, NY, and received grants from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, Boise City Arts Commission, ImageOut, Nevada Arts Council and the Alexa Rose Foundation.
The Boise Weekly selected Sue as “Best Local Visual Artist” in 2015 and in 2024, an indication of her wide appeal. She is also committed to giving back to the community. She serves on boards, volunteers for causes and follows her convictions from supporting those undergoing cancer treatments to championing marriage equality.
Sue is generous with her knowledge and bold in her convictions.
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Jane Naillon
Adjunct Professor
Hailing from Boise, Idaho, Jane Naillon moved to New York City at 20 where she embarked upon a career in branding. She did not know it at the time, but her keen interest in human behavior, effective design and poignant communication would be a passion that she would develop and execute on for years to come. Now she is back in Idaho where the day-to-day is much easier and her work can still be done globally.
With 30 years of professional experience, including 20 years in the NYC market, Jane is a forward-looking branding and marketing expert with an outstanding record of success in delivering impactful strategies that connect with audiences and increase awareness by leveraging the value of brand. Jane combines acute design sensibility, keen business sense and a solid focus on quality and efficiency to lead teams in producing strong brand strategies including brand and marketing-focused messaging and communications. With a crucial balance between creativity and business-oriented practicality, she is a successful leader with insights and an instinctive ability to facilitate people and information. Most importantly, Jane can translate behavior and content into effective language and strategies to help drive differentiation and accelerated results within rapidly evolving environments.
Jane ran her own business (See Jane Brand Strategy) for 10 years until The Peregrine Fund lured her away to focus on raptor conservation. She has worked as the Director of Brand and Communications since January of 2023 and has been with Boise State University as an adjunct professor in the Arts Entrepreneurship program since 2019.
Hailing from Boise, Idaho, Jane Naillon moved to New York City at 20 where she embarked upon a career in branding. She did not know it at the time, but her keen interest in human behavior, effective design and poignant communication would be a passion that she would develop and execute on for years to come. Now she is back in Idaho where the day-to-day is much easier and her work can still be done globally.
With 30 years of professional experience, including 20 years in the NYC market, Jane is a forward-looking branding and marketing expert with an outstanding record of success in delivering impactful strategies that connect with audiences and increase awareness by leveraging the value of brand. Jane combines acute design sensibility, keen business sense and a solid focus on quality and efficiency to lead teams in producing strong brand strategies including brand and marketing-focused messaging and communications. With a crucial balance between creativity and business-oriented practicality, she is a successful leader with insights and an instinctive ability to facilitate people and information. Most importantly, Jane can translate behavior and content into effective language and strategies to help drive differentiation and accelerated results within rapidly evolving environments.
Jane ran her own business (See Jane Brand Strategy) for 10 years until The Peregrine Fund lured her away to focus on raptor conservation. She has worked as the Director of Brand and Communications since January of 2023 and has been with Boise State University as an adjunct professor in the Arts Entrepreneurship program since 2019.
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