MUSEUM STARTUP HUBS AND SOCIAL INNOVATION: HOW ENTREPRENEURIAL INCUBATORS, ACCELERATORS, AND COWORKING PROGRAMS IN MUSEUMS GENERATE VALUE

Are programs based on startup hub models effective tools to drive social innovation in nonprofit museums? While museums have long been part of systems of innovation through learning labs, maker spaces, and artist-in-residency programs, a trend from the corporate and tech industries has emerged within the museum space. Museums are offering resources to individuals and startups to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and invest in innovation in the creative industries. There are a number of museums that have created programs based on business incubator, accelerator, and coworking models to help individuals and startups generate positive change within a community. This paper examines factors that contribute to museum innovation, as well as literature on incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces, looks at examples of startup programs in museums, and presents in-depth case studies. This can provide museum professionals with a better understanding of how startup programming works, what resources are needed, and their benefits.