PantherLabWorks Helps Artists Grow Their Businesses

The Pitt program offers no-cost consulting to creators and gig artists looking to expand and commercialize their products.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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PantherLabWorks, part of Pitt's Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, provides training and consulting to artists and creators in Western Pennsylvania who are looking to grow their small businesses and commercialize their products. The program has been so popular that its workshops have sold out quickly, and it has helped artists secure state-funded grants to support their entrepreneurial efforts.

Why it matters

In a region with a history of economic downturns, PantherLabWorks is helping artists and makers in river towns turn their creative talents into sustainable businesses. The program's focus on practical business skills, product development, and accessing funding sources is crucial for artists looking to scale up their operations.

The details

PantherLabWorks offers no-cost consulting to creators and gig artists in seven Western Pennsylvania counties, covering topics like growth investment, product development, market research, and business planning. The program has run four times, with some sessions focused on younger entrepreneurs and others on retirees looking to earn supplemental income. Participants are also eligible for state-funded Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) grants of $2,000, and during the last cycle, 19 PantherLabWorks-trained creators received these funds.

  • The PantherLabWorks pilot program began with help from a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant.
  • The first series of PantherLabWorks workshops sold out in about three hours.
  • The latest PantherLabWorks session was funded by a Richard King Mellon Foundation grant.

The players

PantherLabWorks

A program that offers no-cost consulting to creators and gig artists in Western Pennsylvania, helping them grow their businesses and commercialize their products.

Pitt's Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence

The organization that houses the PantherLabWorks program.

Victoria Hassett

The director of PantherLabWorks.

Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA)

A state-funded grant program that provides $2,000 to creators whose gross revenue is less than $200,000.

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What they’re saying

“There's a long history of entrepreneurs in river towns becoming makers and artists. I'm not sure if that is related to our heritage in this region, with economic downturns and people in river towns being more negatively impacted, or if there's something deeper, with artists being attracted to the beauty of water.”

— Victoria Hassett, Director of PantherLabWorks (pitt.edu)

What’s next

PantherLabWorks plans to continue offering its workshops and consulting services to artists and creators in Western Pennsylvania, and may explore themes and locations related to the region's river towns in future programming.

The takeaway

PantherLabWorks is providing crucial support to artists and makers in Western Pennsylvania, helping them turn their creative talents into sustainable businesses through practical training, access to funding, and a focus on commercializing their products. This program is particularly valuable in a region that has faced economic challenges, demonstrating how investing in entrepreneurial skills can empower local artists and strengthen the community.