Conceptualising arts entrepreneurship education: bridging the arts and entrepreneurship within higher education settings

Abstract

Despite the rise of entrepreneurship education within higher education, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education remain overlooked in the arts discipline. Existing research in arts entrepreneurship education is scarce. The current study aims to investigate stakeholder perspectives towards conceptualisations of arts entrepreneurship education within higher education, including that of first and final year undergraduate students, educators and industry professionals in the arts discipline. A questionnaire was administered for preliminary insights towards how arts students understand entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education. Individual interviews were then conducted for in-depth investigation in how arts students, educators and professionals conceptualise and define arts entrepreneurship education. The findings revealed arts students’ perceptions of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education. Moreover, diverse stakeholder viewpoints shed light upon understandings of arts entrepreneurship education, roles of relevant stakeholders and the relationship between entrepreneurship education and arts. This study highlights the value of arts entrepreneurship education, contributing to discussion on addressing gaps between arts and entrepreneurship education, and between higher education and the industry.