DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University recently welcomed student artists and creatives from across the Midwest for the SCALE Conference (Student Creatives & Artists Learning Entrepreneurship), a two-day event designed to help emerging artists develop the entrepreneurial skills needed to build sustainable creative careers.
Held Feb. 27–28, 2026, on Millikin’s campus, the conference brought together students, faculty, and industry professionals for workshops, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities focused on the intersection of creativity and business. Sessions covered topics such as branding and marketing, intellectual property, pricing creative work, financial planning, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance for artists.
SCALE is a collaborative initiative involving Millikin University, Saint Louis University, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and is designed to provide students with practical tools and insights as they prepare to launch their careers in the arts and creative industries.
The conference featured keynote speakers, breakout workshops, and panel discussions led by creative entrepreneurs and faculty experts. Topics ranged from intellectual property protection and storytelling for entrepreneurs to marketing strategies and navigating contracts in creative industries.
In addition to classroom sessions, participants explored the local arts community through a guided public art tour of downtown Decatur and a visit to Heroic Age Studios, giving students the opportunity to see how creative enterprises operate in real-world settings. Millikin Assistant Professor of Film & Creative Media Eric Hector, who also serves as Owner and Creative Director of Heroic Age Studios, gave a behind-the-scenes look at what a working creative studio looks like.
The event also highlighted Millikin’s strong commitment to preparing students for careers in the arts through its Performance Learning approach, which emphasizes hands-on experience and professional development.
“While all our majors in the School of Art and Creative Media require coursework and experiences in arts management, branding, and arts entrepreneurship, the SCALE conference gives students an immersive weekend experience led by industry professionals, said Jessa Wilcoxen, Director of Millikin’s School of Art & Creative Media. “Students leave the weekend with more confidence in their own abilities and with more resources to manage the financial, marketing, and legal aspects of working in the arts or entertainment industries.”
Throughout the conference, students engaged directly with working artists, creative entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, gaining valuable insight into how artistic practice and entrepreneurship intersect.
For Millikin students, the conference also served as an opportunity to showcase their work, connect with peers from other universities, and learn from alumni and professionals who have transformed their creative passions into thriving businesses.
The conference concluded with closing remarks and a group gathering at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, celebrating two days of collaboration, learning, and inspiration for the next generation of creative entrepreneurs.
