What happens when artistic thinking meets the reality of business development – not as a thought experiment, but in a classroom filled with creative students taking their first steps toward professional identity?
This spring, we explored that question in Artpreneur – Could That Be You?, a five-session course hosted at Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Designed for art and design students with early-stage ideas, the course offered a space to reflect, prototype, and imagine how creative work might grow into something more — a concept, a venture, or a meaningful path forward.
A Practical and Human-Centered Structure
The course was developed and led by Ia Adlercreutz, Professor of Practice and long-time creative entrepreneur, together with Johannes Kaira, experienced entrepreneurship educator from Aalto Co-Educators. Their shared aim was to create a space where creative identity, personal meaning, and business literacy could meet – without compromising the soul of the idea.
The course included five four-hour sessions and culminated in the Artpreneurs’ Gala, where students pitched their evolving ideas to a panel of experienced business professionals. Each session included:
· reflection on personal identity, values, and purpose
· hands-on prototyping and early business modeling
· guest lectures from entrepreneurs and creative professionals
· peer feedback and collective learning
· real-world preparation for communication, pitching, and validation
Visiting speakers included photographer and solopreneur Kreetta Järvenpää, IP expert Markku Tuominen (Roschier), interior architect Aino Brandt (Koko3), Ilkka Suomela (Evidensia) and Krista Lagus from Kasvuryhmä (The Growth Collective). The Gala panel featured Minna Isotalus, Nora Haatainen, Ponniah Vijendran, and Mikko-Pekka Hanski – all bringing diverse perspectives on business, investment, and creativity.
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The Pedagogical Core: Artpreneurship as Practice
The course is grounded in the philosophy of Artpreneurship: a research-based framework that integrates artistic creativity into the evolving world of leadership, innovation, and value creation. Instead of teaching creatives to conform to existing business norms, we aim to provide language, tools, and confidence to shape their own ways of operating in the world – with integrity and impact.
Students were encouraged to test their ideas early, embrace iteration, and develop both personal and strategic awareness. The process was non-linear, intuitive, and collective. Above all, it was human.
What Students Said
Throughout the course, students developed ideas ranging from socially engaged design to immersive experience concepts. What connected them was the desire to make something real — and to do it in their own voice. Here’s what some of them shared (direct quotes):
“Teachers are super supportive and experienced. Thank you!”
“This course gave me time and guidance to think about my business properly.”
“Very useful, especially for students who already have a rough idea.”
“Entrepreneurship from A to Z, with great speakers and practical tools.”
“Exceeded my expectations. A great introduction to the world of Artpreneurship.”
More Than a Course – A Movement in Practice
Artpreneur is more than a course. It’s a way of reimagining creative agency in a world that desperately needs new ways of thinking, leading, and relating. It shows that business and creativity are not opposites, but can be integrated to build more resilient, meaningful, and adaptive futures.
This spring’s course reminded us that students don’t just need instruction – they need space, structure, and support to test who they are becoming. In that space, the seeds of something powerful can begin to grow.
Could that be you? Yes. It can be anyone as long as we dare to ask, test, and listen.
