The environmental forces at work these days – social, technological, environmental, economic, political – make this a particularly challenging time to lead or manage an arts or cultural enterprise. I hear from our alumni and professional colleagues daily about old models no longer working, tested strategies missing the mark, new innovations in process or practice, or growing pressures to deliver more value with fewer resources.

Bernard "Bernie" Sahlins is an American writer, director, and comedian best known as a co-founder of The Second City improvisational comedy troup. His keynote speech to the 2007 AAAE conference in Chicago spoke to the power of the intersection of art and entrepreneurship...reaching back into the 16th century to make the point. We publish his remarks here with his permission, and with deep thanks for his insights on our field.