Contest to fund arts entrepreneurship

Faculty and staff are encouraged to alert students to a contest that funds entrepreneurship in art. The UW–Madison New Arts Venture Challenge seeks individuals or teams of up to three to develop and present a proposal that will result in an arts event, exhibition, series or project that demonstrates creativity, innovation, added value to the arts and potential for success.

Potential proposals could be a new kind of gallery show, a series of performances, an online course or another type of creative endeavor.

First prize receives $2,000 to put the winning proposal into action, along with mentoring by Stephanie Jutt from the School of Music and Samantha Crownover from the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society. Second prize will receive $500.

All proposals will be evaluated in a preliminary round by a panel of judges. Two to four student entries will then be selected to participate in the final round, where each proposal will be evaluated on a written plan and an oral presentation. Finalists will be matched with a professional mentor to help prepare for the final presentation.

Applications stating an intent to compete are due Monday, Jan. 5. Completed proposals are due Tuesday, Jan. 20. The final round, which will be open to the public, will take place during the Arts Enterprise Symposium, to be held at the Pyle Center Friday–Sunday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

An intent to compete form, complete instructions on entering and more information on the challenge are available online.