I am so grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Artist as Entrepreneur program. I came away from the long weekend of workshops and community feeling proud of my progress as an artist and empowered to chart the path forward for myself. The NYFA facilitators and my cohort of fellow artists were fantastic. I’d highly recommend the program to any artist looking to expand their practice through grants or other funding, promote their art, or build community.
Artist as Entrepreneur Program
- An intensive professional development program for artists of all disciplines, ranging from 1 to 3.5 days.
Image Detail: Ben Eshleman (QAF New Work ’26), 2024. Photo Credit: Bread + Puppet Press
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The NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program is an intensive professional development opportunity that serves artists and creatives of all disciplines (including visual, literary, and performing arts, among others). This 3.5 day program delves into the fundamental principles of sustainability in the arts, empowering artists with the tools to imagine and pursue success as they define it.
Whether you’re looking for a shift in thinking, strategies for your arts/creative business, or peer networks, this program provides dynamic planning tools for building a blueprint for your creative practice or arts project.
These programs are made possible through New York State Council on the Arts, State & Local Partnerships with the support of the Governor’s Office and the New York State Legislature.
Upcoming Programs
Artist as Entrepreneur, CNY Arts
- Application Opens: April 22, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
- Application Closes: May 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Program Dates: June 25-28, 2026
- Notification Date: May 29, 2026
Artist as Entrepreneur, Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts
- Applications Closed: April 21, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Program Dates: June 4-7, 2026
- Notification Date: On or before May 5, 2026
Program Highlights
Dive into Content
Dive into topics including strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, financial literacy, writing about your work, and/or art law, with additional material adapted from NYFA’s popular The Profitable Artist (Allworth Press, 2018) textbook.
Participate in Work Sample Reviews
Receive work sample reviews from professionals in their discipline, such as curators and artistic directors. Designed to give artists insight into the jury selection process, this individualized feedback is modeled after NYFA’s Fellowship Program.
Join a Peer Cohort
Gain access to a community of like-minded peers working across disciplines, with opportunities to stay in touch to support each others’ creative practice beyond the program.
Access Arts Industry Experts
Led by NYFA’s expert staff and arts industry experts in your community, such as local funders, curators, presenters, publishers, artistic directors, etc.Applications Close: April 21, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Develop an Artist Action Plan
Work through flexible and dynamic tools that will provide a blueprint for your practice or specific arts project. You’ll have the opportunity to share and discuss this “Artist Action Plan” among your peers
Engage with Your Creative Community
Customized to fit the needs of participants and partners hosting the program, each program’s structure includes a blend of presentations, panels, interactive workshops, and breakout groups
Want to learn more? Watch our information session recording here.
Interested in hosting the Artist as Entrepreneur program for your creative community? Click here.
NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur, CNY Arts
Artists of all disciplines based in Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, or Oswego Counties in New York State are encouraged to apply to participate in this FREE entrepreneurial program to be presented by the CNY Arts in Syracuse, NY from June 25-28, 2026.
Eligibility
All Creative Disciplines: Artists of all disciplines (e.g., Visual, Performing, Literary, Interdisciplinary/Multidisciplinary, Social Practice, Folk and Traditional, Film, Video and New Media) and career stages, including undergraduate and graduate students, are encouraged to apply.
Location: Priority will be given to individuals based in the New York State counties of Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego.
Mandatory Program Dates
Attendance is mandatory to all sessions. Please check your calendar before applying.
Meet and Greet and Artist as Entrepreneur Introductions
Thursday, June 25, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Intensive
Friday – Sunday, June 26 – 28, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET daily
Application Requirements
Artists interested in attending are required to apply. For the application, we ask you provide:
- Brief Narrative: describing your long-term goals and why you are interested in applying to this program (this is the most important part of this application, and will be evaluated most closely!)
- Artist Bio: describing your professional career
- Artist Statement: describing your creative practice and provided work samples (see tips here and here)
- Work Samples: representing your creative practice (note these materials will be the ones reviewed by arts industry professionals, e.g. curators, artistic directors, etc, as part of the program!)
How to Apply
Please submit an application via Submittable by Wednesday, May 20, 5:00 PM ET. First-time users will need to register with Submittableto access the application portal, which is free. For technical questions regarding the platform, please contact Submittable support.
Selection Process and Notification
Applications are selected through a panel review process with representatives from both NYFA and the partnering organization, along with outside professionals on a case-by-case basis.
All applicants will be notified on or by May 29, 2026.
Questions?
Please email learning@nyfa.org with the subject line “Artist as Entrepreneur, CNY.”
To request an accommodation or assistance in applying, please email learning@nyfa.org. We ask that requests for accommodation be made as soon as possible or by Wednesday, May 6 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.
From Our Alumni
– Rianna Pauline Starheim
Literary and Visual Artist, NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur, Roxbury Arts Group (2025)
This was the most compact and directly applicable artistic professional development that I have been a part of! It was amazing to have the opportunity to meet other creatives in my area, including those from my cohort, the panelists, and the portfolio reviewers. The program is thoughtfully designed and brings support and invigoration to artists! I greatly appreciated the NYFA program leaders and their positive and uplifting attitudes throughout the program, and their ability to speak from their personal artistic and arts administrative perspectives.
– Emma Hendrick
Musician, NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur, Genesee Valley Arts Council (2025)
