BUSINESS OF CREATIVE ENTERPRISES

What can you do with a master’s degree in BCE?

A degree in Business of Creative Enterprises prepares students to become executives, managers, and innovators in new or existing creative economies. Students’ coursework experiences will prepare them to apply skills in business strategy, data analysis, and an entrepreneurial mindset across industries. This industry guide combines resources for business, creativity, and the arts. Additional research is necessary based on your specific field.

Tech Knowledge

Although an extensive optional list of technologies, graduates could benefit from having a solid understanding of one or more various technologies that are relevant to the creative industries, however, familiarity and expertise will greatly vary based on your specific role and field. Here are some key areas:

  • Financial Management Systems: Understanding and proficiency in using financial management software such as QuickBooks, Xero, or FreshBooks. These tools are essential for managing budgets, tracking expenses, invoicing, and financial reporting.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Knowledge of CRM systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM can be beneficial for managing client relationships, tracking leads, and analyzing customer data to improve marketing strategies and sales performance.
  • Project Management Tools: Proficiency in project management software such as Asana, Trello, or Monday.com is crucial for organizing workflows, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and collaborating with team members effectively.
  • Digital Marketing Platforms: Familiarity with digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Hootsuite, or Buffer is essential for analyzing website traffic, managing email campaigns, scheduling social media posts, and measuring the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS): Knowledge of CMS platforms such as WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla can be valuable for managing website content, publishing blog posts, and optimizing web pages for search engines.
  • Data Analytics and Reporting Tools: Understanding of data analytics tools like Google Data Studio, Tableau, or Microsoft Power BI is important for analyzing business performance metrics, generating insights from data, and creating visual reports for decision-making purposes.
  • E-commerce Platforms: Familiarity with e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento can be beneficial for setting up online stores, managing product listings, processing transactions, and analyzing sales data.
  • Cloud Computing Services: Knowledge of cloud computing services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform is valuable for storing and accessing data, deploying applications, and scaling infrastructure as needed.
  • Cybersecurity Tools and Practices: In today’s digital landscape, awareness of cybersecurity tools and best practices for protecting sensitive data, securing networks, and preventing cyber threats is essential.
  • Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Proficiency in BI tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or QlikView can help in analyzing business data, generating insights, and making data-driven decisions to drive business growth.

By possessing expertise in these technology areas, graduates of the Business of Creative Enterprises program can leverage digital tools and platforms to enhance their creative projects, reach broader audiences, and succeed in the competitive landscape of the creative industry.

Competencies + Other Skills

Financial and Business Systems

  • Financial Analysis: Ability to analyze financial data, interpret financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements), and make informed business decisions based on financial insights.
  • Budgeting and Forecasting: Skills in budget preparation, forecasting future financial performance, and allocating resources effectively to maximize profitability and sustainability.
  • Market Research: Competency in conducting market research, gathering industry data, identifying market trends, and assessing competitive landscapes to inform strategic business decisions.
  • Business Development: Understanding of business development strategies, including identifying growth opportunities, forging partnerships, and expanding market reach to drive business growth.
  • Strategic Planning: Proficiency in strategic planning processes, setting long-term goals, developing action plans, and adapting strategies to changing market conditions.

Competencies and Soft Skills

  • Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for effectively conveying ideas, negotiating contracts, and building relationships with clients, partners, and team members.
  • Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire teams, foster a positive work culture, and cultivate creativity and innovation within the organization.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to evolving industry trends, technologies, and business strategies and willingness to embrace change to stay competitive in the market.
  • Creativity: The ability to use creative thinking and problem-solving skills to generate innovative ideas, develop unique marketing campaigns, and differentiate products or services in the market.
  • Collaboration: Collaboration skills to work effectively in cross-functional teams, leverage diverse perspectives, and achieve common business goals.
  • Empathy: Empathetic understanding of customer needs, market demands, and team dynamics to develop products, services, and strategies that resonate with target audiences and foster inclusivity and diversity within the organization.
  • Curiosity: The skill of curiosity fuels ongoing learning and adaptability, propelling individuals toward professional growth and success by enabling them to embrace emerging opportunities and industries.
  • Design Thinking Processes: Mastering the design thinking process equips individuals to tackle complex problems with empathy and creativity, fostering innovation and enabling success across diverse industries and roles.

Job and Internship Boards

This list of job and internship opportunities is general for combining creative industries and business. You may want to research job boards in your specific industry.

Professional Associations and Conferences

Joining associations and networking groups in your field and/or city allows you to further develop your connections and industry knowledge through events, articles, educational workshops, and membership contacts. Many of these organizations have student and young professional discounted rates. You can also consider joining their groups on LinkedIn as an additional way to learn and connect. This list focuses on the cross-section of creativity, the arts, and business. You may want to research industry-specific professional associations and conferences.

  • South by Southwest (SXSW): Renowned for its convergence of technology, film, and music, SXSW offers a platform for networking and collaboration across diverse creative and business sectors.
  • Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity: A global event focusing on advertising, marketing, and creativity, providing opportunities for professionals to connect and explore the intersection of business and creativity.
  • TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conferences: TED conferences bring together thought leaders from various industries to share innovative ideas, fostering connections between business strategies and creative thinking.
  • Adobe MAX: Hosted by Adobe, MAX offers a forum for creative professionals to explore the latest trends in design, photography, and digital media, while also providing insights into how these fields intersect with business.
  • Fast Company Innovation Festival: This event brings together leaders and innovators from business, technology, and the arts to discuss emerging trends and share insights on driving creativity within the corporate world.
  • The Conference by Media Evolution: Based in Sweden, this conference explores the convergence of media, technology, and creativity, offering opportunities for professionals to connect and collaborate across industries.
  • Design Thinking Conference: Dedicated to exploring the principles and practices of design thinking, this conference facilitates discussions on how design can drive innovation and shape business strategies.
  • The Future of StoryTelling Summit (FoST): FoST focuses on the evolving landscape of storytelling, examining how narratives can be leveraged to engage audiences and drive business objectives.
  • Creative Business Cup: This global competition and conference bring together entrepreneurs from creative industries worldwide to showcase innovative business ideas and network with investors and industry experts.
  • AIGA Design Conference: Organized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, this conference gathers design professionals to explore the intersection of design and business, offering insights into how design thinking can drive strategic outcomes.
  • Art Basel: Known as one of the leading contemporary art fairs in the world, Art Basel provides a platform for artists, collectors, galleries, and curators to network and engage in discussions about the business of art.
  • The Business of Art Observed (BAO) Summit: This summit brings together professionals from the art world to discuss market trends, best practices in art business management, and strategies for navigating the art market.
  • Art Business Conference: Held in different cities globally, the Art Business Conference focuses on the commercial aspects of the art world, covering topics such as art investment, gallery management, and art market trends.
  • College Art Association (CAA) Annual Conference: CAA’s conference provides a platform for artists, scholars, and arts professionals to discuss contemporary issues in the visual arts, including the intersection of art and commerce.