Dave Moon ’89 (Graphic Design), a CSUN alumnus and professor of Design Strategy For Effective Branding in CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication, has made a career in art through business. He wants to encourage CSUN art students to see that talents in painting, sculpting, designing graphics, writing or creating music have entrepreneurial value.

Moon said he saw an opportunity to support students in the arts and humanities and help them establish a business mindset. He created the Creative ARTpreneur scholarship with these students in mind.

His goal is to bring business and arts together and put students on a path to success.

“People who are creative tend to see the world differently,” Moon said. “They think more about the experience and emotions. That’s important.”

The Creative ARTpreneur Award will give $1,500 annually to a CSUN student in the Department of Art to start an art-related business or continue to develop a business, using their personal artwork or other creative endeavors. Students should complete an application and submit a faculty letter of support and a portfolio of their art business for consideration.

The Award also supports IntersectLA, which combines and integrates all of the student enterprises Moon founded developed and kick-started since 2007, with $1,000 annually for operational needs.

“I wanted to start a conversation on campus with students studying art and humanities,” Moon said. “I want them to know that there is a vital way for them to be creative, make money and perhaps make an impact on society. Hopefully, the money they receive can be used to kick-start their businesses and art.”

Moon drew inspiration from his own professional path. He has been a CSUN faculty member since 1992, and served as associate chair and chair of the art department, and interim dean of the Mike Curb College. He founded and co-developed a number of student enterprises focused on design and technology, with a heavy focus on entrepreneurship and innovation — including the Center for Visual Communication (VISCOM) and the Matador Emerging Technology and Arts (META)+Lab.

As part of his ongoing commitment to providing new opportunities and possibilities for students, Moon launched a new student enterprise in early 2017, RADIUS, which focused on brand strategy embracing art and design, collaborating with students in business and marketing.

Students can apply and learn more about scholarships on the MyMatador Scholarships page. To learn more about creating scholarships at CSUN contact Micheal Ryan, Senior Director of Development for the Mike Curb College, at michael.ryan@csun.edu.

David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, IntersectLA, META Lab, Mike Curb College of Arts Media and Communication, Scholarships, VISCOM