Participants in Creative Endeavors complete the eight week series with a showcase of their projects. (Photos by Paxton Hilgendorff ’26)
What many don’t know about entrepreneurship and innovation is that creativity is a fundamental pillar in starting a venture. Whether it’s developing a unique selling point in a pitch, designing a memorable company logo, or establishing a brand persona, artistry infiltrates many aspects of business. To help students and community members explore their creativity and understand the structures needed to sustain it, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Carolyn Strobel-Larsen and Arts at the Palace Executive Director Henry Howard co-developed Creative Endeavors.
“Creative Endeavors helps participants to think about what it means to be a creative — both in terms of creative practice and community and in terms of the business side of the arts,” said Strobel-Larsen.
Attended by six students and three community members, fall 2025 was the fourth installment of the eight-week course co-taught by Strobel-Larsen and Howard. The roster was built up of aspiring entrepreneurs with a blend of creative disciplines and perspectives.
“I enjoyed how the program crafted an accessible blend of art and business expertise. Most of all, I enjoyed engaging with the other students, faculty, and locals, and witnessing how creative/entrepreneurial skills can strengthen communities during times we need it the most,” expressed former participant Anki Suri ’25.
Howard’s role in the program is to encourage students to form their own creative voice as an entrepreneur and artist alike. Since 2023, he has worked with dozens of young innovators to help them reach their creative potential while sustaining their work over time. The “creative” concept of the program is very broad, from musicians to performance artists to cartoonists. He noted how rewarding it is to help students open the Pandora’s box of their artistic potential.
“Being able to provide a supportive environment that nurtures experimentation, feedback, and exploration shows how much potential is unlocked when creativity is cultivated — often leading to innovation, confidence, and unexpected success,” said Howard of the course’s outcome.
On the “endeavors” side of the course, Strobel-Larsen guides students through how to maintain a successful practice of creative entrepreneurship. The biggest component of this semester on the business side was building a network of like-minded individuals who can collaborate and lean on one another for support throughout the successes and challenges that will come along the way. The class is built specifically for those who are interested in a creative enterprise yet don’t know the ropes of entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Learning how to identify market opportunities, reach audiences, set prices, and develop partnerships can make the difference between a successful business and an unfulfilled dream,” asserted Strobel-Larsen when asked why creatives should think from a business perspective.
Howard and Strobel-Larsen integrated creativity and entrepreneurship seamlessly into the course, emphasizing all aspects of innovative practice. Creative Endeavors is more than just an art project to be completed; it provides a foundational skillset for students to build a life around doing what they love — making art.
“If you’re ready to explore who you are as a creator, to grow, to take risks, and to dig deeper into yourself and your work, Creative Endeavors will give you the tools, the processes, and the community to make it happen,” added Howard.
Creative Endeavors will return this spring for students and community members to continue growing their artistic empire. The upcoming series will dive into entrepreneurial topics such as building a business model, prototyping a product, and identifying their market.