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Startup Incubator for Performing Artists

The College of Performing Arts and the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics are proud to announce a startup incubator tailored for performing artists, a springboard with the goal of providing specialized tools needed for startups to foster the growth of entrepreneurial ideas and innovations in the performing arts.
Performing artists and those working in the performing arts, such as dancers, musicians, and actors, are often 'solopreneurs' who must define their brand, market themselves, send and collect on invoices, and report their taxes. With this program, students will test their entrepreneurial and innovative ideas, gain confidence on how to present their offerings, and learn how to pitch to collaborators and investors.
This program EMPOWERS artists to run a business successfully. It's a safe space to try out an idea, fail fast, pivot, or launch!
Space is limited to only 20 College of the Performing Arts students, so apply today!
Dancers in Sandi Simon

Gain insights from top performing artists

In this extracurricular program, you will learn how to:

  • Identify your brand
  • Validate your business idea
  • Create your unique differentiators
  • Market and sell your services as an artist
  • Track your revenue
  • Report on taxes
  • And more

Quick Statistics

2.6m+

Artists in the U.S.

Only 7%

Of artists are considered full time employees, most are freelance

$75k

Average pay of artists in CA

"The incubator program has given me a new level of clarity and confidence in my vision for Haven, and I’m leaving feeling more empowered than ever."  – A. Vargas

Happy People at an Event at LCE

Program Details

 Interterm 2026 

Starts Tuesday, January 6, 2026 

Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm - 2:30pm

The Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics

549 W. Palm Ave., Orange, CA 92868

PITCH DAY and GRADUATION – Thursday, January 29, 5pm 

Program Managers - Kevin Meredith and exciting guest speakers

This program is limited to CoPA majors and minors

The Performing Arts Incubator is provided at no cost through the generosity of

a donor family committed to supporting student creativity.