Rutgers University-Newark Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and ArtUp, a Memphis-based arts innovator, jointly announced the new Memphis Business Hub for Creatives Program on Friday.
The MBHC program is expected to empower creatives with long-term business sustainability, they said.
“ArtUp reimagines the creative economy. The Memphis Business Hub for Creatives Program will help transform the way artists work, from the gigging and part-time, starving artist to a thriving creative business owner and creative entrepreneur,” Linda Steele, CEO of ArtUp, said.
“Our intention in collaborating with ArtUp is to elevate creative people who operate in media, art and entertainment industries in Memphis. We aim to help creatives, (especially people of color) to become stronger entrepreneurs and property owners,” Lyneir Richardson, Rutgers-Newark CUEED executive director, said.
The new hub is modeled after the Newark Business Hub, established by the Rutgers Business School CUEED in 2016. Creatives in the Memphis program, they said, will have access to business mentors, classes, professional services and planning education.
“We envision a working, progressive program combining necessary business skills with the vision and talent of artists and creatives, redefined to include chefs and seamstresses and graphic designers. There are no limits on creativity,” Steele said.
“In Newark, creatives are participating in noteworthy business ventures. They are at the forefront of inclusive equitable economic growth initiatives and are working to own property. We expect the participants in the Memphis Hub program to do the same,” Richardson said.
