Entrepreneurship

‘Ignite’ the future for independent artists

Collaboration brings new experiential learning to Master of Fine Art students.

Several people sitting in chairs listening to the speakers at the front of the room.
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
Students in the Master of Fine Art program at the Ignite event.
Students in the Master of Fine Art program at the Ignite event.
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes

Students in the Master of Fine Art program are refining their craft in a vibrant studio-based program. Now, these students also have the opportunity to consider possibilities and build skills for an entrepreneurial future.

In a week-long workshop called Ignite: Your Future as an Artist, MFA students explored essential professional skills, including legal and bookkeeping basics, art pricing strategies, and effective approaches to communicating their artistic brand.

The first of its kind at UM, Ignite is an exciting partnership between IDEA START and The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (The Centre), and participating schools or faculties.  

Two students sitting at a table looking at a laptop.
MFA students at Ignite

“Ignite demonstrates the power of collaboration. IDEA START initially connected the School of Art with The Centre. The School of Art provided important direction on program nuance and introductions to appropriate artists who could serve as guest speakers. And, The Centre designed and delivered the workshop,” said Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist for Entrepreneurship at The Centre who facilitated the workshop together with Jackie Hope, Educational Developer at The Centre.

Hope, who makes adventure films with her husband Ray, recently appeared on the IDEA START Podcast to share about their filmmaking company Midlife Mountaineer. “Ignite was an exciting project to be a part of. How lucky am I to spend a week with these talented students in a program that combines my love of art, entrepreneurship and education?”  

Key features of Ignite: Your Future as an Artist included: 

  • Panel discussion with alumni and staff from the School of Art who have had commercial success in their career
  • Career planning and networking with the Career, Community and Experiential Learning Centre
  • Focus on legal and accounting best practices, including a student presentation from the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts in the Faculty of Law
  • Art pricing strategies
  • Meaningful reflection activities
Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship at The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, speaking to students.
Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship at The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

A highlight of the week was the day spent off campus. Shaun Mayberry, co-owner of Mayberry Fine Art, gave students an insider’s look at gallery operations and practical tips for approaching and working with galleries. The day continued with lunch at Creative Manitoba, where staff shared the programs and supports they offer to help Manitoba artists thrive. The day wrapped up with a tour of three UM faculty’s studio spaces, giving students a close look at professional practices,” Carmichael added. 

Associate Director of Graduate Programs, Dr. Oliver Botar added: “Every second year our MFA students participate in a week-long workshop on curation. We are so pleased to now offer this workshop on the alternate years. It’s important for students to wrestle with the thorny issues of artistic integrity and commercial viability while they are in our program.”

As for Carmichael and Hope, they can’t wait to do it again.

Students in the MFA program are incredibly creative and curious and we can’t wait to refine our next offering for them in 2027. We also can’t wait to partner with other schools and faculties who want to do something similar.

Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship, The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

A presenter at Ignite speaking to students.
Students at Ignite sitting at tables listening to a speaker who is presenting at the front of the room.
Four people sitting on chairs answering questions in a panel-like discussion.
A smiling person sitting at a table.

Because Ignite bridges curricular and co-curricular learning, it can be fully customized with program length, learning goals, delivery format and more.    

Interested? Please reach out to Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship in The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL).