Art and entrepreneurship intersect in ways that aren’t always acknowledged. In this panel, on the art of entrepreneurship, artists’ Kt McBratney, Jeffery Beckham Jr., and Nato Thompson share their experience navigating the world of art and business.
Previously recorded live, the video addresses themes like the challenges of monetizing art, navigating creative blocks and the role of art in personal fulfillment and societal transformation.
The panel kicks off with the challenges of unpredictability in both art and business. Each artist shares from their personal experience managing burnout, maintaining creativity under pressure and navigating the unpredictable nature of life and artistry.
Art actually helps me drive decision making and leadership in the other areas of my work... If I'm not finding a way to bring creativity into my world, I feel disjointed.Jeffery Beckham Jr.
We all encounter disappointment, hardship and failure, and encountering setbacks can deeply impact our personal and professional journey. Panelists share stories of instances where their creative expressions were misunderstood or proposals were rejected, emphasizing how these experiences were essential for growth and contributed to their subsequent successes.
I think just because you don't make money doesn’t mean you failed. You can make all kinds of awesome art that no one buys, and it's still just as awesome.Nato Thompson
Each artist opens up about the tension that exists between following one's passion and the need to generate income, in the art world. We discuss balancing creative aspirations with financial realities, establishing a supportive community and managing personal wellbeing amidst the demands of life and work.
Artists are inherently entrepreneurial. We figure things out, whether you are formally trained, self-taught, a commercial artist or someone who does it purely for enjoyment. We often define artists by how much they have monetized their art, which I think we should challenge.Kt McBratney
Nato Thompson is an award winning author, curator, entrepreneur and self-described “cultural infrastructure builder.” He believes deeply in the power of art to galvanize new ideas and new forms of community. He is Founder and Director at The Alternative Art School and Principal at Dreaming in Public.
Kt McBratney (she/they) is obsessed with disrupting the status bro. As a General Partner and Head of Community at Renew VC, she’s passionate about shifting how we invest in and build companies toward putting more good in the world. She brings unique experience as a founder, operator and longtime marketing leader to her work, overseeing the experience for portfolio companies and investors across financing mechanisms and stages.
Jeffery Beckham Jr. is a distinguished leader in both the nonprofit and business sectors, as well as an acclaimed acrylic painter. As CEO of Chicago Scholars, he plays a pivotal role in assisting over 6,000 first-generation and low-income students in their journey towards higher education and economic independence.
Jeffery is also the Co-CEO of Reach Pathways, an EdTech company focused on educational equity, as well as an award-winning artist whose work further amplifies his commitment to community and social justice.
Digital Entrepreneur's editorial team includes Sharon Milone and Barrak Alzaid, with help from our friends at Redbrick, Danni Deguire and Rachel Aiken.