Funding for business and art collaboration
The “Art for Arctic Business” project has received funding from the Norwegian Call for Project Collaboration within the Framework of the University of the Arctic (UArctic) for 2024-2026. The call was launched by UiT The Arctic University (UiT).
Project partners are Nord University (Lead), University of Akureyri, University of Lapland, Norlandia ART, Linn Rebekka Åmo ENK and Myndlistarfelagid.
In the project, the Nord University Business School and the University of Akureyri will facilitate introductory lectures on various business aspects suited to artists. These studies will foster business comprehension and skills in the arts and culture. The project will also initiate collaboration models between artists' training and business education. The University of Lapland, Faculty of Art and Design, will share insight into artistic intervention and art-based services in various sectors of society to expand views of potential ways of earning.
“Together, we will clarify what we call “artpreneurship education” and how to bring business and art students to collaborate”, tells Professor Bjørn Willy Åmo, who serves as project's project manager at the Nord University Business School.
Arts and arts-based methods can be used in professional development when artists sell services to promote creativity, well-being, and innovation capacities. However, artists and cultural workers need business expertise and skills to sell services and products.
“Our students from various study programs, such as Applied Visual Arts, Sustainable Art and Design, and Arts Expertise will benefit from the project”, says associate Professor Maria Huhmarniemi from the Faculty of Art and Design in the University of Lapland.
Integrating business expertise in our lectures will equip artists with essential entrepreneurial skills. Recognizing the Arctic’s rapid socioeconomic and environmental changes, we aim to empower a new cadre of leaders by merging artistic creativity with entrepreneurial acumen through innovative educational programs, including art internships and entrepreneurship workshops.
“This approach fosters a comprehensive understanding of arts and culture, enabling innovative solutions for the unique challenges faced by Arctic communities," says Kjartan Sigurdsson, Assistant Professor from the University of Akureyri.
The project is linked to the UArctic Thematic Network Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design (ASAD).