Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts is set to host its third annual Business in the Arts Summit (BITAS) this week as part of the university’s Entrepreneurship Week, now in its fourth year. 

The two-day event, held Mar. 26 and Mar. 27 in Childers Hall, is designed to equip students with practical knowledge about careers at the intersection of creativity and commerce. The BITAS will feature conversations with professionals working across the arts and cultural industries. Speakers include musicians, actors, dancers, fashion designers, marketers, researchers, recruiters, financial planners, and other leaders whose work is relevant for artists and businesspeople in the arts on the stage, in the studio, and in the boardroom. The event is supported by the Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship.

“I intentionally designed BITAS in 2023 to be student-led with faculty guidance,” said College of Fine Arts professor Autumn McDonald, faculty advisor of the BITAS initiative. “This model ensures the programming remains relevant, useful, and engaging for the student audience. At the same time, it gives students valuable experience in project management, communication, and leadership by helping deliver a large-scale initiative.”  

Chloe McNeill, a sophomore painting major, will take part in this year’s BITAS event for the first time and shared that “being both an organizer and part of the target audience makes it even more impactful. At Howard, especially within the College of Fine Arts, we do not always see our creative paths fully represented. Seeing a student-led, advisor-supported space come together reminds us that we can build resources for ourselves and that there are real, diverse pathways waiting for us after graduation.”  

Other BITAS organizers say the summit continues to grow as a platform that helps Howard students see the full scope of careers available within the arts sector.  

 “It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside devoted scholars on a project that shapes the futures and careers of so many talented individuals,” said Dillon DeBourg, a senior music business major and member of the organizing team. “Being able to connect the next generation of talent and executives with leaders in the field has been an incredibly rewarding opportunity.”  

Through conversations with industry professionals and connections to real-world opportunities, the Business in the Arts Summit reflects the College’s broader commitment to preparing students for sustainable careers in the creative industries.