Community Connections
Pearl Arts Innovation Institute (PAII)
The Pearl Arts Innovation Institute (PAII) is Amp Lab’s first satellite program, focused on music industry entrepreneurship at the Pearl Street Arts Center. Students at PAII develop their skills in areas such as performance, audio engineering, songwriting, business and creative arts support. They engage in three core pillars: student venture creation, learning from industry experts and working within an active creative arts ecosystem.
Venture Creation
Students at PAII engage in two types of venture creation:
- Student-Owned Ventures: Students build and launch their own business models, from personal branding to music production and more.
- School-Based Enterprises: These collaborative projects involve running school-owned businesses like a record label or marketing company, addressing real-world problems.
The first-year entrepreneurship pathway includes Principles of Entrepreneurship, New Venture Development and Entrepreneurial Operations. In the second year, students participate in the Small Business Operations capstone course.
Learning from Industry Experts
PAII connects students with music industry professionals through:
- Backstage Pass: Students learn from local and global industry experts, including world-class visiting acts.
- Immersions: Students engage in hands-on learning experiences with industry leaders.
- Collaborations: Students work directly with national and international acts on performances and content creation.
Work-Based Learning
PAII offers multi-layered work-based learning through:
- Layer 1: Project Specific: Students support K-8 music programs, community projects and initiatives like Violins of Hope.
- Layer 2: Internships: Students gain operational experience at the Pearl Street Arts Center.
- Layer 3: Modern-Youth Apprenticeship: In partnership with PSAC, Amp Lab creates an apprenticeship focused on music innovation and entrepreneurship.
PAII immerses students in the operations of a start-up arts center, providing hands-on experience and skills applicable to the music industry.