Date

5-20-2026

Degree

Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA)

Chair

David W. Meyer

Keywords

Artrepreneur, Artrepreneur Mindset, Creative Entrepreneurship, Arts Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Creative Business Education, Freelance Artists, Creative Professionals, Small Creative Studios, Business Survival, Creative Career Sustainability, Freelancer Sustainability, Visual Learning Systems, Design Education, Entrepreneurship Education, Business Preparedness, Financial Literacy for Creatives, Client Pipeline Development, Creative Economy, Self-Employment, Gig Economy, Creative Industry, Design Pedagogy, Educational Card Systems, Card-Based Learning, Visual Pedagogy, Instructional Design, Business Skills Training, Creative Resilience, Professional Adaptability, Cross-Disciplinary Skills, Small Business Survival, Innovation and Adaptation, Knowledge-Centered Practice, Independent Creators, Creative Workforce Development, Arts-Based Educational Tools, Experiential Learning, Creative Business Strategy, Entrepreneurial Education for Artists, Applied Design Research, Creative Problem Solving, Professional Development for Creatives, Business Literacy, Career Preparedness, Creative Freelancing, Sustainable Creative Careers, Design Thinking, Visual Communication, Educational Intervention, Business Training for Artists, Creative Entrepreneurial Systems, Creative Business Survival, Card-Based Learning for Creatives, Business Skills for Artists, Arts Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Creative Economy, Design Pedagogy, Visual Pedagogy, Instructional Design, Experiential Learning, Educational Intervention, Professional Adaptability, Cross-Disciplinary Skills, Workforce Development, Knowledge-Centered Practice

Disciplines

Art and Design | Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Abstract

Artrepreneurs — freelance artists and small studio owners within creative industries — frequently lack training in essential business management skills in financial management, client pipeline development, and business sustainability. These factors exacerbate already statistically high business failure rates, adding to the burdens experienced by creative entrepreneurs. Conventional wisdom and guidance for entrepreneurs is found in experience-based advice from books, blogs and business mentors. While these offer valuable insights, the lack of data-driven advice highlights an opportunity to close the knowledge gap. This research investigates visually engaging educational systems to guide the creation of new visual solutions which address these challenges. Through creative, visually compelling, and engaging tools, Artrepreneurs will strengthen their financial management, client development and business planning skills while cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset of adaptability and resilience beneficial to long-term success. The desired outcome, beyond teaching skills, is to inspire Artrepreneurs to fuel sustainable creative careers.

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