ABSTRACT
International entrepreneurs in the arts can choose different models to expand their creative business abroad. The process of generating an idea and transforming it into a successful concept for international expansion passes through several stages. As discussed in Chapter 3, the arts entrepreneur needs to find innovative ideas, to filter them in order to select the one that fits a certain set of criteria, to legally protect the idea, to undertake research and to elaborate the business model which focuses on the revenue projection and break-even point. The arts entrepreneur has the option to start internationally from early inception, or to grow the venture beyond the national borders after domestic positioning and initial success. There are also certain elements
of the arts enterprise which could be expanded internationally and others that have to stay domestic because of many influencing factors. It is important to understand the growth phases of an arts enterprise and the main steps in international expansion (see Figure 4.1). The process of considering expansion beyond borders usually starts with the evaluation of the main reasons for international growth, and thorough research of all influencing external and internal factors in order to find out the driving and restraining forces that might influence the expansion process, including the capacity of the arts enterprise to handle the growth process. Trends, barriers and success factors in the international enterpreneurship in the arts also have to be considered. This analytical process provides a solid background for the choice of an international entry model and elaboration of the plan for going international.
