The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Arts Business Competition (formerly the New Arts Venture Challenge – NAVC) was created in 2009 to encourage UW–Madison students to develop and present a thorough proposal for an arts event, exhibition, series, commercial venture or other artistic project.
Students submit their proposals and a group of judges review the proposals for creativity, innovation, success potential and added value to the arts. Judges for the 2019 competition are Tasia Duske, CEO of Museum Hack; Karen Goeschko, Assistant Director of the Wisconsin Arts Board; and QuHarrison Terry, Founder of VNM USA. Proposals must be submitted by at least one currently enrolled full-time UW–Madison student, and all majors are welcome to apply.
The three groups (listed below) present their proposals on Friday, April 26 from 4-6 p.m. The presentations are free and open to the public and take place on the UW–Madison campus in the Wisconsin Idea Room in the School of Education Building (1000 Bascom Mall, Madison).
RSVP link: https://www.facebook.com/events/486201665522213/
The finalists compete for the first-place prize of $2,000. Second place is $1,000 and third place is $500. Funding for the Arts Business Competition has been generously provided by the UW–Madison Anonymous Fund. Finalists have until May 2020 to implement their ideas.
Finalists and majors:
Clay It By Ear:
Clay It By Ear is an interactive exhibition featuring functional musical instruments made out of ceramics. Exhibition goers will have the opportunity to interact and play the instruments.
Johnny Yan – B.S. Mechanical Engineering and Certificate in Studio Art (May 2019)
Emeka:
Emeka is an online multimedia quarterly literary magazine that celebrates storytelling by women of color. Four written submissions will be reinterpreted through photography and one submission will be adapted into a film.
Tiffany Ike – B.A. Communication Arts and Certificate in Leadership (May 2019)
I Am Here:
I Am Here is a brand that creates original designs to facilitate discussions about problems that marginalized groups within the U.S. face and to help ease tensions between different communities.
Emily Her – B.B.A. Marketing and Certificate in Asian American Studies (May 2021)
Katie Chong – B.B.A. Finance and Certificate in Spanish and Development Economics (May 2021)
Examples of previous finalists can be found by clicking here.