Entrepreneurship in innovative artistic production: insights from the Italian context

Objectives: The work investigates the challenges imposed on artistic and cultural entrepreneurship in a period characterized by a general decline in public resources for culture and by a growing competition between traditional operators in the art world and in innovative cultural and creative start-ups. The analysis also aims to provide a framework on the specific skills that cultural artists/entrepreneurs must possess to ensure the success of their innovative projects. Methodology: After a review of the literature on entrepreneurship in the arts and culture, the paper analyses the characteristics of over 200 operators and of their project proposals in the framework of the call “Ora!” of the Italian foundation Compagnia di San Paolo. Findings: The paper highlights the centrality of skills related to teamwork management, interdisciplinary application of solid mono-disciplinary knowledge, product innovation through digital technologies, and networking. The work also suggests multi-stakeholder management practices that can be implemented in order to create more favourable conditions to support cultural production and entrepreneurship in the arts. Research limits: The research is a first exploration. Further analysis will be carried out either by analysing subjects and projects candidates for other funding programs or by analysing individual case studies vertically. Practical implications: Through the analysis proposed, insights are provided on the development of new ways to support entrepreneurship in the artistic and cultural field. Originality of the study: The work aims at enriching through the use of new sources a field of studies still often limited by the few data available