IU art gallery features work of artists who participated in entrepreneurship program
Artists at Work is an exhibition at Indiana University that features the work of artists who participated in the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator program.
The On-Ramp program, run by the Indiana Arts Commission, is meant to teach artists entrepreneurship skills and best practices to manage a business.
A recent study found that, during the pandemic, alumni of the program retained their savings, are managing and tracking their expenses and adjusting their business plans better than other artists across the nation.
The On-Ramp program was federally funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration through the CARES Act.
Program Coordinator for IU Arts and Humanities Council Gerard Pannekoek said business and art don’t always go hand in hand.
“I think there’s an understandable disconnect between creatives and artist and the more business side of things,” Pannekoek said.
To make a living off of art, these skills are important, he said, but they aren’t often taught in schools. Pannekoek said the On-Ramp workshop teaches artists how to make life as a working artist sustainable.
The works of ten artists who participated in the On-Ramp program in Bloomington are on display at the Cook Center. The exhibition is open until Oct. 23.