Arts incubator to serve even more students with new funding

In 2017, leaders in the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA) wondered how to help its student artists turn their creative activities into careers as art entrepreneurs. They wanted to help talented individuals make a living from their work by giving them the business basics to get them there.

In perfect alignment with FIU's strategic plan, which emphasizes entrepreneurship, innovation and technology, the Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator was established at the Biscayne Bay Campus. Made possible by the generosity of the  Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, the incubator set the goal of turning artists into successful entrepreneurs by offering a variety of resources and programming: monthly lectures, legal and accounting support, market research assistance, seed capital, stipends and more. The incubator supports artists engaged in graphic design, jewelry making, interior design, visual arts and other pursuits. Students selected to participate are named fellows for a period of up to two years.

The Ratcliffe Foundation recently committed an additional $2 million+ to continue funding for a program of study that its leaders view as benefitting both individual artists and the arts community in general.

"The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation is pleased to support the FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator which brings together a diverse set of Ratcliffe Fellows to pursue their creative and entrepreneurial dreams. We are so proud of what these students have been able to achieve and look forward to their bright futures,” said Carlene Cassidy, CEO of the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation.

Jacek J. Kolasiński, founding director of the incubator, hailed the foundation's decision as critical to expanding what has already proved a valuable resource for so many creative young people.

“The renewed funding is not just a continuation of our efforts, but will allow us to broaden our reach, support more emerging artists and designers, and empower the next generation of creative entrepreneurs,” he said.

The additional monies will increase fellowship stipends to $10,000 annually and allow greater numbers of students to participate. “What makes this even more impactful is the true interdisciplinary nature of our program,” Kolasiński said, “where students from an array of disciplines represented by FIU’s CARTA—ranging from design, fine arts, and architecture to journalism, communication, and music—come together to create unique and boundary-pushing ventures.”

Within the incubator, budding arts entrepreneurs have access to prototyping equipment, audio-visual tech, cameras, printers and more. Students also learn how to market their work, seek copyright and manage finances.

“My experience with Ratcliffe set the foundation for many of the things that I am now able to do in my career as a professional artist,” said Chris Friday MFA ’20, a former fellow. “Because of the knowledgeable faculty, I learned how to build websites and the basics of marketing and got the courage to experiment with fabricating different objects that could be used to support my artistic practice.”

CARTA Dean Brian Schriner said that the incubator has been a success. “We are immensely grateful to the Ratcliffe Foundation for their visionary leadership and generous support which significantly enhances our ability to foster the creativity and innovation of our talented entrepreneurs.”