Business in the Arts Summit Connects Creativity to Career Pathways
By Chad Eric Smith, Director of Marketing and Communications, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
At the tail end of March, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts welcomed students, faculty, and industry leaders to Childers Hall for the third annual Business in the Arts Summit (BITAS), a two-day meeting designed to bridge artistic practice with professional possibility.
This year's March 26–27 summit, as part of Howard University Entrepreneurship Week and led by students and faculty with the Department of Music's Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Business program, this year’s summit continued to expand in both scale and depth, offering students a comprehensive look at how creative careers take shape across industries.
A Student-Led Model with Real-World Impact
Since its founding in 2023, BITAS has been intentionally structured as a student-led initiative, with faculty guidance. That model remains central to its impact.
“BITAS was designed to ensure students are not only participants, but architects of the experience,” said Professor Autumn McDonald, faculty advisor of the initiative. “It keeps the programming relevant while giving students direct experience in leadership, project management, and communication.”
That dual role—as both organizers and audience—was felt throughout the summit.
“Being both an organizer and part of the target audience makes it even more impactful,” said Chloe McNeill, a sophomore painting major. “It reminds us that we can build resources for ourselves and that there are real, diverse pathways waiting for us after graduation.”
Two Days of Insight, Access, and Exchange
Across two days, BITAS brought together a wide range of professionals working at the intersection of art and industry, including creatives, executives, strategists, and entrepreneurs.
The first day kicked off with an electrifying student showcase performance.
The second day deepened that engagement, with a full slate of sessions focused on translating artistic skill into viable, long-term careers.
Programming included:
- Panel conversations exploring career pathways across disciplines
- Industry-focused sessions on branding, financial literacy, and sustainability
- Recruitment and pipeline discussions connecting students with opportunities
- Networking spaces designed for direct engagement with professionals
From Conversation to Application
For student organizers like Dillon DeBourg, a senior music business major, the summit’s value lies in its ability to connect vision with practice.
It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside devoted scholars on a project that shapes the futures and careers of so many talented individuals. Being able to connect the next generation of talent and executives with leaders in the field has been incredibly rewarding.
A Growing Platform for Creative Futures
Now in its third year, the Business in the Arts Summit has become a signature component of the College’s approach to career preparation—one that continues to grow in reach and relevance.
By centering student leadership, industry access, and interdisciplinary exchange, BITAS reflects a core principle: creative careers are not only possible, but sustainable when students are equipped with both vision and the tools to realize it.
Didn't get to attend? Watch the entire 2026 Business in the Arts Summit on YouTube below: