EXCEL Lab
Engage Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
The Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Career Empowerment & Leadership (EXCEL) Lab is SMTD’s home base for performing arts entrepreneurship, leadership, and career services. We take a personalized, collaborative approach to professional development by first exploring students’ individual visions and goals, and then connecting them with the resources they need to thrive. Whether you are seeking out a new career pathway or honing in on your competitive edge, EXCEL offers comprehensive access to skill-building, mentorship, and funding to help make your dreams a reality.
The EXCEL Lab catalyzes success for SMTD students and alumni through weekly workshops, 1:1 mentoring, and more than $100,000 in student project and venture funding. Initial funding for the programming was made possible by the Eileen Weiser EXCEL Fund, thanks to a generous gift from the Weiser Family.
Stay up to date about student projects, special guests, and other upcoming activities with the EXCEL Log.
Vision, Mission & Core Values
Vision
We envision a world where every SMTD student acquires the knowledge, mindsets and skills to realize a meaningful, rewarding, impactful, and sustainable life in the arts.
Mission
EXCEL activates the leadership potential of all SMTD students by:
- supporting students as they turn their ideas into action, learning to create and steward ethical arts experiences for the world
- providing multiple points of entry to personalized growth within the realms of arts leadership, entrepreneurship, and management
- broadening the spotlight on success in the performing arts today
- expanding student cultural awareness to prepare them to engage responsibly in a globally informed arts ecosystem
Core Values
EXCEL is committed to . . .
- Fostering community by elevating a diverse and adaptive array of student stories and programming formats.
- Elevating anti-racism throughout SMTD, and developing best practices to situate social and racial justice at the heart of our training programs.
- Continually strengthening our offerings by expanding, deepening, and/or refining programs to foster robust engagement opportunities for each of our students.
2,022
Students attended an EXCEL coaching session, event, or class during the 2024-2025 school year
“The EXCEL Enterprise Fund was instrumental to the success of the National Marrow Donor Program Benefit Concert, providing my team with the funds to rent a venue, market the performance digitally, and print programs/sheet music for the final presentation — all of which could not have occurred without the EXCEL Enterprise Fund’s support. The concert successfully raised over $6,500 through ticket sales, online donations, and in-person contributions. These funds will directly support NMDP’s mission and its efforts to connect blood cancer patients with stem cell and bone marrow donors.”
Making Big Things Happen
Do you have a project or idea that will advance the performing arts?
Does your chamber ensemble want to go pro?
Do you want to organize a dance festival or bring new plays to the stage?
Maybe you have an idea for a killer smartphone app that will enhance the audience experience?
Whatever your dream, the EXCEL Lab can help put your ideas into action.
Funding Opportunities
Eileen Weiser EXCEL Fund
The Eileen Weiser EXCEL Fund has supported more than $700,000 in student project, venture, and internship funding to-date. Initially funded by the Weiser Family, EXCEL’s funding programs continue to impact hundreds of students each year.
EXCEL Enterprise Fund
The EXCEL Enterprise Fund offers micro grants of up to $1,000 for students to support individual or team projects that have significant professional development and community impact. In exceptional cases proposals may be awarded up to $1,500.
General EXCEL funding information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Performing Arts EXCELerator
The Performing Arts EXCELerator is an entrepreneurial fellowship program open to all U-M students with early-stage performing arts ventures as individuals or teams. Interdisciplinary projects involving two or more U-M departments are encouraged. Selected projects receive mentoring and support, and have access to up to $1,000 seed money, with an opportunity to pitch for up to $4,000 in additional funding.
General EXCEL funding information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
EXCEL Prize
The School of Music, Theatre & Dance EXCEL Prize recognizes extraordinary excellence in performing arts entrepreneurship, leadership and social impact, and is awarded to a University of Michigan student or student team that has established a standout performing arts venture. Beyond the cash prize of $10,000, the awardee receives mentorship by EXCEL staff.
General EXCEL funding information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Internships
EXCEL connects students to paid internships with partner arts organizations that provide exclusive opportunities to SMTD students. Past partnerships have included the Metropolitan Opera, the University Musical Society (UMS), the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, DanceWorks Chicago, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, the EXCEL Internship Fund provides students with grant awards to cover living and travel expenses incurred through accepting unpaid or underfunded summer internships.
EXCEL Immersions
EXCEL Immersions are unique, professional development trips that take students to different cultural centers around the world to meet professionals doing work in a broad range of artistic disciplines. See firsthand what a career in the arts can look like and start building your network by exploring leading arts organizations and engaging with top professionals in the field.
Previous Immersions
- Yale Innovation Summit 2023-2025 – New Haven, CT
- Detroit Performing Arts Immersion 2025 – Detroit, MI
- Vienna Global Classroom Immersion 2024 – Vienna, Austria
- NYC/Broadway Immersion 2023 – New York, NY
- Theatre Arts Immersion 2022 – Chicago, IL
- Trinity Laban CoLab (Multidisciplinary Performance) 2020 – London, England
Coaching Appointments
Current students can use our team Calendly link to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a member of the EXCEL Team.
Dean's Liaisons
The Dean’s Liaisons program is an arts management and leadership training program that places qualified SMTD students with paid work positions in SMTD offices and departments.
Contact Us
- Jonathan Kuuskoski, Chair of Entrepreneurship & Leadership, Director of the EXCEL Lab
- Gabrielle Piazza, Assistant Director of the EXCEL Lab
- Jovan Osborne, EXCEL Program Coordinator
Schedule a coaching appointment with an EXCEL staff member on our Calendly team website.