The Entrepreneurial Artist: Lessons from Highly Successful Creatives

Mr. Dworkin tackles the confluence of the artist's life and art from a different angle, and it is refreshingly realistic and illuminating. Perhaps our mistake all along has been in thinking of artists as "special cases" to be coddled or considered "delicate" in some way. Heaven forbid they should be concerned about how to make a living! Dworkin shows that an artist's career and income is nothing to be ashamed of, that development of the artist need not be without practical considerations. Art and commerce must coexist, and it is not a bad thing for artists and their patrons and fans to get their heads around this concept. This book is helpful advice for artists in any field. Also, quite a touching introduction.

There are a few books that sit next to my night stand and go with me when I travel. These are books that I've already read, and intend to continue to read because the deep perspectives they offer continue to grow the more I myself evolve. This book is now one of them. How incredible that the author simultaneously created fun and interesting stories for the part of me that wants to be entertained and a deeper ongoing conversation between myself and my many new mentors found inside the book. The words and philosophies found in the book feel alive, and urgent even. They feel authentic. So much so that I'm finding myself noticing people around me having similar conversations outside of the books context. The book is real and I highly recommend trying it on if growth is your pursuit.

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.

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.

This is a must-read for any artist, or should I say creative entrepreneur? All artists today have to personally and professionally push themselves even further to get their work seen/heard/read/bought/acknowledged in the din of this competitive landscape. As an amazing artist himself, Dworkin knows what it takes to succeed,as do the people he interviews for the book including the amazing actor Jeff Daniels and the Pulitzer Prize-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda. This book is inspiring and the lessons invaluable.

This book contains a series of informative lessons and nuggets of insight. I walked away hopeful and inspired!

An interesting and instructional read. There are several takeaways which serve as practical tools, regardless of whether you are inside or outside of the arts sphere...

The Entrepreneurial Artist is a great, inspiring read. I would highly recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs and students alike.

Amazing resource for any aspiring leader in the arts sector. To hear from so many experts all under one cover is a rare gift to us all!

I was surprised at how applicable and relevant this book was for me. Not quite a self-help but more a breath of fresh air!

There are a few books that sit next to my night stand and go with me when I travel. These are books that I've already read, and intend to continue to read because the deep perspectives they offer continue to grow the more I myself evolve. This book is now one of them. How incredible that the author simultaneously created fun and interesting stories for the part of me that wants to be entertained and a deeper ongoing conversation between myself and my many new mentors found inside the book. The words and philosophies found in the book feel alive, and urgent even. They feel authentic. So much so that I'm finding myself noticing people around me having similar conversations outside of the books context. The book is real and I highly recommend trying it on if growth is your pursuit.