This course will introduce students to the concept of the creative economy and will explore the nature of contracts, work-life, and enterprises in the cultural and creative industries. It covers major business forms utilized in the cultural and creative industries (commercial, nonprofit, and hybrid) and their distinctions and contracts, negotiations, intellectual property, and other legal issues for artists. Drawing upon real-life examples, experiences, and case studies from the front lines of arts and entertainment, this course will introduce students to basic business and legal concepts, including making a strategic and sustainable business plan either for yourself or an organization. Course topics include key industry trends, issues, truths, challenges, players, and practices (those both enduring and outdated, as well as those arising in tandem with globalization and digitalization); the common business forms utilized in the cultural and creative industries (commercial nonprofit, and undecided), and their advantages and disadvantages; as well as basic legal concepts such as copyrights, contracts, and negotiations.