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The Entrepreneurial Artist: Lessons from Highly Successful Creatives
In The Entrepreneurial Lessons from Highly Successful Creatives, Aaron Dworkin offers an engaging, practical guide to achieving artistic fulfillment, both personally and professionally. Based on the accomplishments of Shakespeare, Mozart, and several contemporary creatives, these lessons will help you realize your goals—no matter your medium. Among those Dworkin personally interviewed for this book are Emmy-winning actor Jeff Daniels, Tony-award winning choreographer Bill T. Jones, Grammy award-winning musician Wynton Marsalis, and Pulitzer Prize winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others. The stories of these twelve remarkable individuals come alive with lessons of love, loss, despair, sacrifice, perseverance, and triumph.
Some of the artist-entrepreneur takeaways explored in this book
Whether one is an aspiring student artist in search of practical tools to build a sustainable career, or a veteran seeking reinvention, The Entrepreneurial Artist offers insights—well-tested, unusual, or innovative—that are meaningful for every kind of creative.
Some of the artist-entrepreneur takeaways explored in this book
Whether one is an aspiring student artist in search of practical tools to build a sustainable career, or a veteran seeking reinvention, The Entrepreneurial Artist offers insights—well-tested, unusual, or innovative—that are meaningful for every kind of creative.
- GenresArt
184 pages, Hardcover
Published December 4, 2019
13 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 18, 2020
Thank you to #NetGalley for an electronic preview of this book!
*The Entrepreneurial Artist--Lessons from Highly Successful Creatives* is not so much a manual of how to be an entrepreneur, but rather, looks at the lives of several successful artists (authors, musicians, dancers, actors) to see how they were and continue to be creative in developing their careers.
Dworkin, a former dean at the University of Michigan, profiles Shakespeare, Mozart, Jeff Daniels, Bill T. Jones, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rachel Barton Pine, Damien Sneed, Lee Greenwood, Marin Alsop, Damon Gupton, Chip Davis, Midori, and Wynton Marsalis.
The writing is clear and easy to follow; at the end of each profile Dworkin offers "Artist-Entrepreneur Takeaways," which demonstrate some of the ways in which each artist went beyond creating their art to further their careers in successful ways -- for instance, some examples from Shakespeare's life include "be persistent," "build partnerships with a broad community," "be joyful, be daring," and "persevere in the face of failure." As summed up in the conclusion,"...each of [these artists] created a structured process for inspiration, which encouraged them to create. They showed grit and confidence in the face of failure. They had unique perspectives that allowed them to learn from their missteps. They learned how to communicate their ideas in a way that excited like-minded individuals" (unsure of page number because of electronic copy, but it's at 91% in the kindle app on my phone).
An enjoyable and easy read. I think it would be especially suitable for 1) high school students thinking of careers in the arts, and 2) for undergraduates who are looking for inspiration about what they can do with artistic majors, or 3) any student who relies solely on talent and hasn't yet realized that grit, determination, and persistence is a major part of being successful in the arts.
*The Entrepreneurial Artist--Lessons from Highly Successful Creatives* is not so much a manual of how to be an entrepreneur, but rather, looks at the lives of several successful artists (authors, musicians, dancers, actors) to see how they were and continue to be creative in developing their careers.
Dworkin, a former dean at the University of Michigan, profiles Shakespeare, Mozart, Jeff Daniels, Bill T. Jones, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rachel Barton Pine, Damien Sneed, Lee Greenwood, Marin Alsop, Damon Gupton, Chip Davis, Midori, and Wynton Marsalis.
The writing is clear and easy to follow; at the end of each profile Dworkin offers "Artist-Entrepreneur Takeaways," which demonstrate some of the ways in which each artist went beyond creating their art to further their careers in successful ways -- for instance, some examples from Shakespeare's life include "be persistent," "build partnerships with a broad community," "be joyful, be daring," and "persevere in the face of failure." As summed up in the conclusion,"...each of [these artists] created a structured process for inspiration, which encouraged them to create. They showed grit and confidence in the face of failure. They had unique perspectives that allowed them to learn from their missteps. They learned how to communicate their ideas in a way that excited like-minded individuals" (unsure of page number because of electronic copy, but it's at 91% in the kindle app on my phone).
An enjoyable and easy read. I think it would be especially suitable for 1) high school students thinking of careers in the arts, and 2) for undergraduates who are looking for inspiration about what they can do with artistic majors, or 3) any student who relies solely on talent and hasn't yet realized that grit, determination, and persistence is a major part of being successful in the arts.
November 5, 2019
Interesting concept for this book! The author explores the lives and careers of thirteen creatives, undisputably huge successes in their fields, and uses them as examples for conveying advice to his readership on how to be similarly successful. From Shakespeare to Wynton Marsalis, Dworkin covers some big names who've had enormously influential careers in their disciplines.
If you are looking for a self-help book with pep talks and checklists, this is not that book. Instead, Dworkin sets out his case through illustrative example. Recommended for young artists eager to learn more about how they might make a splash in their own field and leverage success for career longevity.
I received a copy of the book from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you are looking for a self-help book with pep talks and checklists, this is not that book. Instead, Dworkin sets out his case through illustrative example. Recommended for young artists eager to learn more about how they might make a splash in their own field and leverage success for career longevity.
I received a copy of the book from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2019
The title of this work, "The Entrepreneurial Artist," is a perfect description of the author, as Aaron Dworkin is someone who is genuinely both of those individually and both of those things in perfect harmony. A committed artist who has studied his discipline (violin/classical music) in-depth and performed to an extremely high level, and a genuine entrepreneur who has created new organizations, mediums, and disciplines in which other artists can share their unique abilities.
This collection of biographical vignettes is far-reaching in terms of the disciplines from which these iconic figures come, but also laser-focused on the mission of distilling their incredible lives in the arts into usable suggestions for future creatives. Dworkin completes such a distillation in the introduction where he discusses that these figures are uniquely skilled in three things:
1) Ideation
2) Organization
3) Communication
Thus begins a tour of the unique attributes that has led to the success and unique contributions of Mozart, Shakespeare, Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda, violinist Rachel Barton Bine, actor Jeff Daniels, composer and pianist/arranger Damien Sneed, country music star Lee Greenwood, conductor Marin Also, choreographer Bill T. Jones, Mannheim Steamroller founder Chip Davis, actor and conductor Damon Gupton, violinist and educator Midori, and jazz icon Wynton Marsalis.
Following deft and cogent summaries of the unique and sometimes commonplace backgrounds of these folks, Dworkin starts turning to their tipping point moment where their unique genius overcame the bounds of their environments as a result, chiefly, of their dogged persistence for success on their own terms, whatever those may be. To further focus this message, each chapter ends with a summative, "Artist-Entrepreneur Takeaways," section where Dworkin not only describes what can be used and learned from the aforementioned vignette but also ties it together to his introductory narrative and establishes an easily readable and discernible pattern.
Far from offering mere encouragement or inspirational anecdotery, this wonderful collection really offers an injunction to all artists for continued persistence, hard-work, commitment, and maintaining a blast-furnace of artistic curiosity that, as Dworkin deftly demonstrates, has burned in the great artists of so many disciplines for centuries.
This collection of biographical vignettes is far-reaching in terms of the disciplines from which these iconic figures come, but also laser-focused on the mission of distilling their incredible lives in the arts into usable suggestions for future creatives. Dworkin completes such a distillation in the introduction where he discusses that these figures are uniquely skilled in three things:
1) Ideation
2) Organization
3) Communication
Thus begins a tour of the unique attributes that has led to the success and unique contributions of Mozart, Shakespeare, Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda, violinist Rachel Barton Bine, actor Jeff Daniels, composer and pianist/arranger Damien Sneed, country music star Lee Greenwood, conductor Marin Also, choreographer Bill T. Jones, Mannheim Steamroller founder Chip Davis, actor and conductor Damon Gupton, violinist and educator Midori, and jazz icon Wynton Marsalis.
Following deft and cogent summaries of the unique and sometimes commonplace backgrounds of these folks, Dworkin starts turning to their tipping point moment where their unique genius overcame the bounds of their environments as a result, chiefly, of their dogged persistence for success on their own terms, whatever those may be. To further focus this message, each chapter ends with a summative, "Artist-Entrepreneur Takeaways," section where Dworkin not only describes what can be used and learned from the aforementioned vignette but also ties it together to his introductory narrative and establishes an easily readable and discernible pattern.
Far from offering mere encouragement or inspirational anecdotery, this wonderful collection really offers an injunction to all artists for continued persistence, hard-work, commitment, and maintaining a blast-furnace of artistic curiosity that, as Dworkin deftly demonstrates, has burned in the great artists of so many disciplines for centuries.
December 20, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
This book is a series of mini-biographies of well known artists written by a professional artist (Aaron Dworkin is a classical violinist, was a member of the Obama National Arts Policy Committee and until recently served as dean of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.) Dworkin writes an introduction that describes his own development as a musician and how he had to integrate business skills and hustle in order to move his artistic career forward. This book is intended to provide artists with different templates to help them have commercial and creative success.
Dworkin provides biographical sketches less than 10 pages long apiece of artists past and present (several of whom I suspect he knows personally). Each piece traces how each person began their careers, discusses obstacles to their paths and concludes with a couple of pithy takeaways to learn from their example. These examples include Shakespeare, Jeff Daniels, Wynton Marsalis, Chip Davis, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Marin Alsop.
All of these people are indeed inspirational and if you're looking for a quick boost to your motivation this could be useful. I found that the pithy takeaways didn't always correspond with what each artist went through. While obstacles to their courses were described, there was no detail or interior reflection on how these obstacles were conquered; it was more of a "well, I wasn't going to let anything stop me and I just powered through" sort of description. That ended up being a bit intimidating to me, because without more explanation I actually got discouraged because I had a hard time picturing how I could find that resilience in myself and felt like maybe I just didn't have what it took or wasn't meant to be creative.
So, quick interesting sketches of some well known creative professionals. You may find the advice useful, trite or discouraging- YMMV.
This book is a series of mini-biographies of well known artists written by a professional artist (Aaron Dworkin is a classical violinist, was a member of the Obama National Arts Policy Committee and until recently served as dean of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.) Dworkin writes an introduction that describes his own development as a musician and how he had to integrate business skills and hustle in order to move his artistic career forward. This book is intended to provide artists with different templates to help them have commercial and creative success.
Dworkin provides biographical sketches less than 10 pages long apiece of artists past and present (several of whom I suspect he knows personally). Each piece traces how each person began their careers, discusses obstacles to their paths and concludes with a couple of pithy takeaways to learn from their example. These examples include Shakespeare, Jeff Daniels, Wynton Marsalis, Chip Davis, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Marin Alsop.
All of these people are indeed inspirational and if you're looking for a quick boost to your motivation this could be useful. I found that the pithy takeaways didn't always correspond with what each artist went through. While obstacles to their courses were described, there was no detail or interior reflection on how these obstacles were conquered; it was more of a "well, I wasn't going to let anything stop me and I just powered through" sort of description. That ended up being a bit intimidating to me, because without more explanation I actually got discouraged because I had a hard time picturing how I could find that resilience in myself and felt like maybe I just didn't have what it took or wasn't meant to be creative.
So, quick interesting sketches of some well known creative professionals. You may find the advice useful, trite or discouraging- YMMV.
May 14, 2020
This book motivated me and smacked me in the face to say "Get to it!". Rather than one person offering many ideas, Dworkin interviews various world-renown artists (Jeff Daniels, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Midori, Wynton Marsalis and others) highlighting their unique aspects of being a successful entrepreneurial artist. Packed with many insights, it is a short book (I listened to the entire thing in a 2.5-hour lawn mowing session). It is excellent and I will come back to it often!
January 7, 2020
I was interested in this book because I am an aspiring artist, painter, and I would like to learn how I can make my art more than just a hobby. This is the first book I have seen to focus on this topic.
The author tells of the careers thirteen artists, authors, and musicians. I found this a unique and informative book.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
The author tells of the careers thirteen artists, authors, and musicians. I found this a unique and informative book.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
January 27, 2022
I purchased and read this book thinking I'd have some tactical steps to take within my own music/art portfolio career. Not exactly the case. While the profiles were interesting and diverse, it felt more like an inspirational read, good for days when you need a pick me up and perspective. Still a worthwhile read, but maybe keep it as a morning devotional and read one profile a week or something.
December 12, 2020
Keep going is a key takeaway. Being a creative is not about talent. Talent is obsolete especially moving into a post-modern world or rather post-post-modern? You need perseverance. You need grit. You need people. You need curiosity.
The Entrepreneurial Artist provides examples of successful creatives discovering their tipping point. The point where they go from blood, sweat, and tears to success as a professional creative person.
This is a good practical guide to create and run your own business. I think overall there is more to being creative than what is explained in this book but it sums it up in a nutshell. No book can provide all the methods of becoming successful, but it his book is certainly a good start.
The Entrepreneurial Artist provides examples of successful creatives discovering their tipping point. The point where they go from blood, sweat, and tears to success as a professional creative person.
This is a good practical guide to create and run your own business. I think overall there is more to being creative than what is explained in this book but it sums it up in a nutshell. No book can provide all the methods of becoming successful, but it his book is certainly a good start.
March 25, 2022
I thought it was going to be more “how to” instead of inspirational. Still good. Really neat to learn about the backgrounds and histories of some major musicians. I would recommend it to any college-aged musician for inspiration and for examples of hard work to get where you want to be.
April 12, 2020
Focuses on musicians but it has some interesting tips.
April 24, 2022
This is such an inspiring read! I will definitely be returning to these stories again in the future.
May 29, 2024
I can't take a book that unironically uses the word "Latinx" seriously. Skimpy on the career advice I was looking for as well.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews