Careers for Creatives: Empowering the Next Generation of Cultural Leaders
By Chad Eric Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
At Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, we prepare artists not only to create, but to lead. On Monday, November 10, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on the Third Floor of Childers Hall, the CABCoFA Student Council will host the 2nd Careers for Creatives Expo, the fall edition of an event first launched in Spring 2025 as part of the Business in the Arts Summit. Designed to bridge the gap between creative ambition and real-world opportunity, this edition expands student access to spring and summer internships. The event is spearheaded by CABCoFA Student Council Vice President Noel Desire Best (junior Musical Theatre major) and Pre-Professional Development Director Chloe McNeill (sophomore Painting major), with Professor Autumn McDonald serving as the faculty advisor.
RSVP Here.
This event connects our students directly with arts, entertainment, and media professionals whose work shapes culture and expands possibility. Throughout the day, students will gain industry insight, sharpen career readiness, and build meaningful relationships with employers, alumni, and creative leaders who understand the power and promise of Howard talent.
What to Expect
From 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Expo will feature:
- Career booths hosted by respected organizations across the region, including:
- Three curated panel conversations, bringing together innovators in theatre, media, digital storytelling, and creative entrepreneurship.
- Networking opportunities to support students as they pursue internships, fellowships, early-career roles, and long-term professional growth.
Featured Sessions
11:00 AM — The Industry Speaks: Navigating Careers in the Arts
Leaders in theatre and community arts share candid guidance on sustaining a creative career, building professional networks, and embracing artistic purpose.
12:30 PM — Plugged In: Student Organizations x Industry
A forward-looking conversation at the intersection of creativity and digital media, examining how storytelling, branding, content creation, and entertainment technology are shaping the future of the field.
2:00 PM — Where Are They Now: Alumni Panel
Recent Fine Arts alumni return home to share their journeys, lessons learned, and the role Howard played in shaping their artistic path and professional identity.
Rooted in Legacy, Built for the Future
Careers for Creatives reflects the spirit of our College—vision-driven, student-centered, and invested in building pathways for emerging artists to thrive. It’s a space where our students can imagine bold futures and take meaningful steps toward them, supported by faculty, alumni, and industry partners who believe in their talent and trajectory.
This is what it means to light the torch, to show up for our creative community, and to build careers with intention, preparation, and pride. We look forward to seeing our students engage, explore, and elevate their vision for what’s possible.
Secure your attendance for this event by RSVPing here.