Roar of the Crowd: Alternative Funding Models - International Insights and Teaching Applications
Monika Herzig, Lidia Varbanova, Amanda Nelson
Alternative financing models are on the rise and according to a recent study (Mollick & Kukuswamy, 2014) on Kickstarter, not only created 5.3 Billion in project support and more than 500,000 jobs over three years but also helped creators advance careers (37%), increase annual income after running the campaign (21%), and facilitate new job opportunities (19%). This session will discuss the principles of crowdfunding - reward-based, donations, and equity - the pros and cons of the most popular platforms, fixed versus flexible campaigns, legal issues with equity funding, and international comparisons of platforms, strategies, and perceptions. Furthermore, panelists will present their case studies from leading four arts campaigns (Monika Herzig), trends and challenges in different countries (Lidia Varbanova based on her 2016 Routledge publication: International Entrepreneurship in the Arts), and teaching applications (Amanda Nelson).
Where Theory and Practice Converge: Bridging Arts Management Education and the Creative IndustriesMary Filice, Bob Blandford
This session will explore the value of experiential learning with industry partners as an effective approach to educating future entrepreneurs, leaders, and managers within the creative industries. Experiential learning is a key component of a fully-realized education and is the bridge that connects classroom learning with current real world practices.
We investigate this using several examples: Startup Weekend for Creative Enterprises powered by Google for Entrepreneurs, a global initiative that exists in over 135 countries; Global Marketing: Prague, an immersive study abroad experience where students work at FCB/Prague; and Chicago’s Wabash Arts Corridor, a civic, business, artist, and college collaboration.
We will use these examples to frame a conversation in which we can all share diverse perspectives and experiences to further experiential learning and creative industry partnerships.