Ecosystem event : Creative Entrepreneurship Summit

Join artists and entrepreneurs from across Mass for a day of candid conversations about what it takes to thrive in the creative economy.

Collective Works brings together creative entrepreneurs and small business owners from every discipline across Massachusetts for one day of conversation, connection, and shared strategy. From solo artists to studio owners, fashion designers to brand founders, this summit gathers people building businesses rooted in creativity — and gives them a room full of others who actually get it. The specific challenges of running a creative business rarely show up in standard entrepreneurship advice, and there’s no substitute for learning from people who’ve built something similar from the ground up.

Whether you’re an artist, designer, musician, writer, shop owner, brand founder, freelancer, student, or running any kind of creative small business — if your creative work is your livelihood, or you’re building toward that, this summit is for you. Come exchange ideas with fellow creators, pick up practical strategies from entrepreneurs who’ve done it, and connect with key support organizations at our resource fair.

What to Expect

Networking opportunities throughout the day

Resource fair featuring support resources for artists and small businesses

Intimate fireside chats in breakout sessions with established entrepreneurs from the arts and design world

Panel discussions, including:

• Creative Funding: Finding the Resources to Grow Your Business
• Hustle & Balance: Building a Business When You Have a Job
• Accessing Government Resources, presented by Mass Cultural Council
• The Cost of Living and the Creative Workforce: How Are Young Artists Building Their Brand in MA
• Space as a Catalyst: Entrepreneurs Building Arts and Design Community Hubs