The Future is for Creative Ventures
Creative Ventures is a dynamic keynote and workshop series designed to bring together entrepreneurs and artists from various creative fields in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The series fosters co-learning, sparks innovation, and provides a platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Participants will explore how to harness creativity, drive business growth, and shape the future of entrepreneurship through inspiring keynotes, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities.
This initiative builds on the outcomes of the Aalto EE and Aalto University Future Artpreneurship project (2021–2022), which identified the need for further education within the creative sector.
Creative Ventures equips participants with the business acumen, skills, and resources they need to succeed as creative entrepreneurs. Through a combination of keynotes, workshops, and Nordic/Baltic networking opportunities, the series empowers creatives to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and build sustainable careers.
The series will be conducted as a Nordic and Baltic roadshow, complemented by webinars. Keynotes will follow a hybrid format, enabling free participation for everyone interested across the Nordic and Baltic regions.
The initiative is supported by the Saastamoinen Foundation and reflects a collaborative effort to uplift the creative fields across these regions.
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Instructors
Astrid Huopalainen
Astrid Huopalainen is an Assistant Professor in Leadership for Creativity at the Department of Management Studies and Department of Art and Media at Aalto University
Ms. Huopalainen is a qualitative researcher who studies the connections and possible conflicts between art and organization, leadership in creative organizations, and creative work in the post-industrial era. Her multidisciplinary research interests include organizational aesthetics, leadership for creativity, and interactions between art and management.
Terje Gaustad
Terje Gaustad is an Associate Professor at Kristiania University College’s School of Arts, Design and Media
He is the leader of Kristiania’s Center for Arts Management and Leadership Research, and he has conducted research on relationships between autonomy and value creation across the creative industries, the digitization of entertainment industries and published on topics such as digitization and diversity in the film industry, new channel strategies, project strategy, and the economic efficiency of copyright enforcement. He is also responsible for Kristiania’s executive program in Strategic Storytelling.
In addition to his academic work, Terje Gaustad is an associate partner in Menon Economics, a consultancy operating at the interface of economics, politics, and the market, and he has a professional entertainment industry background that includes producer credits for theatrical feature films such as the British comedies “Save Angel Hope” (2007) and “Nasty Neighbours” (1999).
Terje Gaustad holds a PhD in Strategic Management from the BI Norwegian Business School and an M.A. in Communication Management from the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California.
Nana Salin
M.A. Nana Salin currently serves as the Director of Alternative Funding at Aalto EE. Nana has extensive international experience in the museum, cultural, funding, university, and executive education sectors.
She has expertise in building creative concepts and partnerships, developing private funding and business, and creating innovative approaches.
The rest of the speakers will be confirmed later.
Keynote and Workshop Series Objectives Are Related to Topical Needs of the Field
For
The keynote and workshop series are designed for
- Emerging Creative Entrepreneurs: Individuals who have already started their ventures in the creative sector but are looking to scale or further develop their businesses. They could benefit from both foundational business concepts and advanced entrepreneurial strategies.
- Artists and Creative Professionals: This includes designers, musicians, visual artists, writers, performers, and other professionals in the creative fields who are exploring the possibility of turning their passions into viable businesses.
- Graduates from Creative Disciplines: Recent graduates from design, arts, media, music, and other related courses who are considering entrepreneurship as a career path.
- Business Professionals: Individuals from traditional business sectors who are looking to diversify into creative fields, collaborate with creatives, or infuse more creativity into their existing businesses.
- Freelancers: Independent professionals in the creative field looking to expand their reach, network, or potentially turn their freelance endeavors into struc-tured businesses.