Why Creativity is the Most Important Business Skill

As arts leaders, educators, and advocates, we know the arts are vital to personal and societal well-being. But how do we ensure our students, artists, and organizations are prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape? I recently sat down with Todd Stuart, Director of Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship at Miami University, to discuss just that.

In our conversation, Todd highlighted his program's unique approach by integrating arts management, entrepreneurship, and business practices. He emphasized the importance of teaching students the artistic disciplines and essential business skills—such as creative problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking—that will help them succeed in today's world. Todd and I explored the concept of portfolio careers, which is becoming the norm for most artists, and why learning entrepreneurial skills is crucial for managing multiple roles.

One key takeaway is that creativity and business are not at odds. Fostering creativity is essential to innovation and success across all industries. Todd’s insights on how the arts can shape more robust, more adaptive leaders inspired me and made me ready to continue championing the arts in new and meaningful ways.

To hear more about how we can redefine the arts and prepare the next generation of creatives for success, listen to the full episode of ARTS Redefined wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube.

[Spotify] | [Apple Podcasts] | [YouTube]