There’s a Little Capitalist in Me: Artists’ Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
By Daniel Karlsson, Lund University, Sweden, daniel.karlsson@soc.lu.se | Alison Gerber, Lund University, Sweden, alison.gerber@soc.lu.se
Abstract
This work examines the influence of entrepreneurialism on the self-conceptions and practices of contemporary artists, highlighting the interplay between traditional artistic values and emerging entrepreneurial norms. We explore the sociological processes through which precarious labor markets and entrepreneurial discourses have reshaped artistic subjectivities. Artists today navigate fragmented careers marked by overwork, uncertainty, and excessive self-promotion, while simultaneously reinterpreting ideals like autonomy, creativity, and authenticity through entrepreneurial lenses. We underscore the ambivalence artists experience in engagements with entrepreneurialism: some embracing it as a pathway to fulfillment, while others critique its alignment with market logics. By situating entrepreneurialism within broader cultural and structural contexts, we reveal the ways that it naturalizes precarious conditions and reinforces individual responsibility for success. Ultimately, this work calls for critical engagement with the entrepreneurial spirit that shapes modern art worlds and emphasizes the need to address structural inequalities in creative industries.
Cultural Entrepreneurship
This volume explores the concept of Cultural Entrepreneurship, illustrating how creativity, culture, and business come together in innovative ways. Starting with a working definition -- “entrepreneurship in or of culture, including entrepreneurship in the cultural industries and entrepreneurship in the cultural arena of artistic and cultural values” – the volume examines key themes in current research. These include balancing artistic creativity with economic viability, navigating individual agency versus structural constraints in creative careers, and adapting to new business models from traditional arts organizations to emerging digital platforms. Highlighting an interdisciplinary perspective, the volume considers the economic, sociological, and cultural forces shaping entrepreneurial activities in creative realms. It provides both theoretical frameworks and practical insights, presenting cultural entrepreneurship as a dynamic field that combines artistic innovation with economic strategies.
Companion
Foundations and Trends® in Entrepreneurship, Volume 21, Issue 4-5 Special Issue: Cultural Entrepreneurship
See the other articles that are also part of this special issue.