Speaker Announcement: Lisa Canning

Lisa Canning is a professional clarinetist, a serial arts entrepreneur and the founder of Entrepreneur The Arts and The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship (IAE). The IAE is a 2-year graduate level program designed to teach artists how to build hybrid and entrepreneurial careers in the arts. Opening in Chicago in Sept 2011, The IAE was selected by The Aspen Institute and The State Department to participate in an International Entrepreneurship Program through President Clinton and Madam Albright’s initiative: Partners for a New Beginning.. The IAE's curriculum is being developed collaboratively with educators from The University of Illinois, School of Art + Design and The Beckman Research Institute. The IAE will open its virtual classroom in 2012 in Morocco via through teleconferencing as well as online through short courses, webinars, and educational video in English, French and Arabic. Applications are still being accepts for enrollment in Chicago for the fall 2011.

As a graduate of Northwestern University and Interlochen Arts Academy, Lisa built her first business from her dorm room at the age of 17 and has been building arts-based businesses ever since. In 2005 Lisa sold 4 retail stores, a distribution business and related real estate in order to focus on building her school. Currently, Lisa runs a 1 million dollar part-time professional clarinet shop that requires 15 hours a week to earn a six-figure income. In 2002 she was the recipient of the National Association of Women Business Owner’s Business Owner of the Year Award. In 2004, Lisa was honored by President George W. Bush as a recognized business leader for the State of Illinois. On April 13th, 2011 she was one of four entrepreneurs selected to speak at Judson College's World Leadership Forum following President George W. Bush.

As a clarinetist, Ms. Canning has performed with members of Chicago, Milwaukee, Florida and National Symphony Orchestras, as well as The Lyric Opera. “The clarinet- my art- has shaped me into who I am, and holds all of the creativity I need to become all that I can be.”