Art Boost 2025
Friday June 27 – Saturday June 28
SMU Meadows School of Art
Art Boost is a conference for creatives and artists who want to transform their artistic passion into a thriving, socially impactful career.
About Art Boost
Join us for a dynamic two-day conference June 27-28th 2025 at SMU’s Meadows School of Art that transforms artistic passion into sustainable, community-driven success. Art Boost Dallas is presented by the Business Council for the Arts, SMU Meadows School of the Arts, and SMU Impact Lab and SMU Spears Institute. Art Boost Media Partners are KERA and Dallas Morning News.
This year’s theme, Create, Transform, Thrive, explores how artists can build sustainable careers while driving positive community change. The transformative, low-cost conference equips artists with essential business skills while exploring art’s power to drive social change.
Through expert-led sessions and interactive workshops, participants will master financial planning, branding strategies, and entrepreneurial skills crucial for creative success. Community leaders share practical insights on leveraging art for social innovation, with hands-on activities providing immediate tools for implementation.
Get Recognized for Your Social Impact
New for Art Boost 2025, SMU Impact Lab is partnering with community impact organizations to award two artists who leverage their creative practices to generate meaningful social, political, or environmental change. The two awards, The Catalyst Award and The Resonance Award, will be granted based on artists’ ability to translate artistic vision into meaningful impact.
Art & Impact Award Categories
The Resonance Award honors artists whose work creates powerful reverberations across society, amplifying underrepresented voices and resonating with audiences in ways that inspire action and empathy. This award celebrates a visionary whose work vibrates with purpose, creating ripples of change throughout communities and consciousness.
The Catalyst Award recognizes artists who serve as agents of change, using their creative expression to ignite meaningful social, political, or environmental transformation while demonstrating exceptional artistic merit.
Art & Impact Award Partners
See the Art Boost Schedule
Art Boost 2025 is bigger than ever! There are over 40 creative professionals leading 26 sessions, including workshops, panels and keynote presentations
All artist disciplines can find sessions for their moment and need in their entrepreneurial career. Visual artists, performing arts, musicians, and literary artists. Check out our schedule and select your sessions.
You Can Support Art Boost!
Are you ready to make an impact on the creative industry in North Texas? Do you want to make important connections with hundreds of local artists and creatives? You and your organization can support Art Boost!
There are two ways to make an impact: support Art Boost 2025 as a sponsor, or make a donation and cover the cost of attendance for local artists.
Art Boost 2025 Program
Highlights
- Learn practical entrepreneurship skills from industry experts on leveraging art for community change and sustainable career building
- Master financial planning and investment strategies to sustain your creative practice while maximizing social impact
- Develop effective personal branding and self-promotion techniques to amplify both your art and its message
- Connect with fellow artists and community leaders dedicated to driving positive change through creative expression
- Gain insights into successful art business operations and funding opportunities
Art Boost is Made for You!
Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established creator looking to expand your impact, Art Boost provides the tools, connections, and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s dynamic arts landscape while making a meaningful difference in your community.
More details, including speakers, coming soon!
Art Boost Gallery
See images from Art Boost 2024!
Art Boost is Presented By
Art Boost Presenting Sponsors
Art Boost Is Also Sponsored By
Art Boost Is Also Supported By
Media Partner
Community Partner
Join the Art Boost Mailing List!
Join us to receive updates, advice, and offers. First, we’ll be sharing four amazing tips from Chip Van Pelt on how artists can be successful entrepreneurs!