Economies of scope in artists’ incubator projects

Although economies of scale are relatively well studied in the arts, scope have received less attention. Yet recent trends toward freelancing and technological connectivity make especially timely addressing structural challenges to artist-led incubators. This paper offers a conceptual framework for cooperative strategies that employ both economic sense joint production financial risk pooling. distinguishes franchise, federation, resource-sharing organizational structures as developed through case studies two US-based organizations: ArtBuilt REC (Resources Every Creator), placed larger context strategy USA Europe. The proposed networks (quasi-franchises, federations, or networks) also draw on literature spatial agglomeration creative industries. leads more speculative ideas “balance-sheet philanthropy” credit backstopping by foundations, novel investment trusts can be piloted across range organizations including grant-makers, artist residency programs, even for-profit companies engaged reinsurance. contributes managerial tools engagement capacity building arts organizations.