Creative Arts Prize Advances Artistic Entrepreneurship at Tufts
For over ten years, the Derby Entrepreneurship Center has hosted the annual Tufts New Ventures Competition – the flagship venture competition at Tufts. During this competition, aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their innovative ventures to a panel of judges in one of three tracks: General, Healthcare & Life Sciences, or Social Impact. This year, the competition introduced the new Creative Arts Prize, which supports the advancement of artistic entrepreneurship at Tufts in collaboration with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts (SMFA).
Reflecting on this addition, Carol Denning, Assistant Director of Derby Entrepreneurship Center, shares, “We want to welcome artists in areas such as visual arts, literary arts, performing arts, fashion, and beauty, who may not be comfortable with traditional entrepreneurship. We developed this prize to support artists who are working on innovative and sustainable ventures and let them know their ideas are valued and award them for their entrepreneurial spirit.”
This prize recognizes an artistic endeavor with commercial potential that demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of arts combined with an entrepreneurial spirit. The winning team receives $2,500 in support of their artistic venture.
The inaugural winner of the Creative Arts Prize is Jane Priester: Handmade in NY.
Jane Priester is a senior at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and has created her own fashion brand, Jane Priester: Handmade in NY. We spoke with Jane to learn more about her brand, her goals as an entrepreneurial artist, and how it feels to be the first winner of the Creative Arts Prize.
Tell us more about your brand Jane Priester: Handmade in NY.
“Jane Priester: Handmade in NY offers the conscious consumer an alternative to vintage fashion to express themselves and define the individuality of the era we are living through. While the clothes I make are new, the materials they are made of are sustainable, sourced from the remnants of larger fashion houses. Recently, I’ve been printing my paintings on fabric, which I use to make small-batch and made-to-order pieces. Each garment is labeled with the date it was made, connecting creator and consumer.”
What is an accomplishment you’re most proud of as an artistic entrepreneur?
“It’s one thing to have someone compliment me when I’m wearing clothes I made, and a whole other thing to have a compliment translate into a sale. I feel so proud seeing someone wearing my designs, because I’ve made something that helps them express themselves better.
When a customer buys a piece and wears it out into the world, they add onto the story I set in motion as the designer.”
How does it feel to win the Creative Arts Prize?
“Winning the Creative Arts Prize is such a fulfilling way to end my time at Tufts and makes me excited for the next chapter of my life. Even if I hadn't won, answering the questions for the application was an invaluable process; putting into words everything my venture and I stand for and hope to achieve.”
What’s next for you and your brand?
“I will be installing my latest collection in the Terrace Gallery at the SMFA from April 21st – May 2nd. After graduation, I will move back to NYC where I will begin small batch production for clothes out of the Billboard and Apartment prints I painted and designed. My goal for the near future is to get my designs into NYC boutiques."
We wish the best of luck to Jane on her entrepreneurial endeavors, and look forward to discovering more artistic ventures within the Tufts community. The Derby Entrepreneurship Center is proud to support the wide variety of entrepreneurial Jumbos!