The Student Creatives and Artists Learning Entrepreneurship (SCALE) Conference is a Midwest collaboration exploring how artists turn creative passions into a profession, guided by this year’s theme, Resilient & Ready: Entrepreneurship for the Next Generation of Artists.
The 2026 SCALE conference returns this spring for its third annual, registration-only conference, bringing two days of speakers, panels, workshops, and community events to Millikin’s campus.
After previous gatherings at St. Louis University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Millikin University, through the Center of Entrepreneurship, will now host more than 100 students from across the Midwest, representing majors that span the arts, business, and creative entrepreneurship.
This year’s conference features a mix of familiar Millikin faculty and visiting professionals. Presenters include Julienne Shields, Eric Hector, Mark Tonelli, Edwin Walker, and Dr. Rebecca Orchard, each offering sessions that connect with the artistic practice of building a sustainable creative career.
Events will take place across campus in the Albert Taylor Theater in Shilling Hall, Kirkland Fine Arts Center, Perkinson Gallery, and classrooms in the ADM Scovill Hall.
Breakout sessions in Scovill range from legal basics and branding to storytelling, pricing work, and navigating global creative industries.
Day one’s theme is inspiration and community. Friday, the first day of the conference, centers on big-picture thinking and shared creative identity.
After opening remarks, attendees will hear from working artists and entrepreneurs who speak to the challenges and possibilities of building a creative life. The evening activities shift to a guided tour of downtown Decatur’s murals and local art, dinner, and then a behind-the-scenes visit to Heroic Age Studios in Mt. Zion.
The night concludes with a reception, giving students space to connect with peers from other universities.
Day two’s theme is learning, networking, and skill building.
Saturday expands into four rounds of breakout workshops running simultaneously, allowing students to choose their own adventure and style their schedule based on their interests. Topics include intellectual property, contracts, marketing, financial planning, cultural awareness, and sustaining a creative practice after graduation.
The day also features a keynote lunch at KFAC and the Millikin Creates student panel, where current students share their experiences in a unique student-run venture, creativity, and early career opportunities.
Across both days, the conference emphasizes the connection between art and entrepreneurship and how creative work becomes a creative livelihood. By the end of the weekend, students will leave with new skills, new collaborators, and a clearer sense of how to shape their futures in the arts.
Missed this year’s SCALE Conference? Check out https://www.scaleconference.art to keep up with updates on next year’s conference at St. Louis University.
