p.a.v.e. Lays Groundwork for Artist Entrepreneurs
TEMPE, Ariz. - Artists with a flair for entrepreneurship now can receive extra financial support to develop and implement their visions through p.a.v.e.: the performing arts ventureexperience – a new initiative in the ASU Herberger College School of Theatre and Film.
p.a.v.e. is funded as part of a $5 million grant to ASU by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, to further cross-campus entrepreneurship education. Student projects that incorporate new or current technology, or create new models for interdisciplinary collaboration in films and live performance are the cornerstone of p.a.v.e. The initiative also strengthens faculty members’ entrepreneurial skills through advanced training in arts entrepreneurship.
“Campus entrepreneurship initiatives often are housed in business or engineering schools. It’s unique and rather wonderful that ASU has included the arts as one of the core disciplines in its “University as Entrepreneur” program,” says Linda Essig, director of the School of Theatre and Film. “The school is redirecting the curriculum of some existing classes to meet the entrepreneurial goals of the p.a.v.e. project. Students are provided with skills and experiences that ultimately will translate into career advancement and enhanced creativity.”
p.a.v.e. augments current arts entrepreneurship programs in the School of Theatre and Film like the Student Production Board and classes such as theatre organization and management, and independent film. A new class on arts entrepreneurship starts in the fall. A guest speaker series starts this spring.
Students of all disciplines can submit a proposal for p.a.v.e. assistance, but, one team member must major in one of the School of Theatre and Film programs. Faculty help set goals for approved p.a.v.e. teams and also serve as project mentors. The deadline for student proposals is April 2, 2007. Projects likely will be approved by early May.
For more information about p.a.v.e., visit theatrefilm.asu.edu/initiatives/pave.php. p.a.v.e. is part of ASU’s “University as Entrepreneur” initiative entrepreneurship.asu.edu and is funded by part of a $5 million grant to ASU by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, www.kauffman.org, to further cross-campus entrepreneurship education.
The Herberger College School of Theatre and Film provides a comprehensive range of courses in performance and directing; design and production; new work development; theatre and performance studies; film; and theatre for youth. Its Theatre for Youth program is nationally ranked in the top three and the creative writing/playwriting program is ranked 15th among public institutions by “U.S. News & World Report.” Learn more about the School of Theatre and Film at: theatre.asu.edu.