Date of Award
2026
Document Type
MA Project - Restricted Access (SIA Only)
Project Type
MA Project - Business Plan
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Art Business
First Advisor
Agnes Berecz
Second Advisor
Leo Krakowsky
Abstract
This project proposes a hybrid teahouse-gallery model that merges the contemplative rituals of Chinese tea culture with the exhibition of emerging contemporary art. Conceived as both a cultured sanctuary and sustainable business, the venture addresses the structural fragility of small to mid-tier galleries by introducing a recurring revenue stream through hospitality. Grounded in market research and cultural analysis, the plan outlines a financially viable framework that links aesthetic experience to social belonging, targeting urban audiences seeking authentic, hybrid cultural spaces. The projects situate its first location in downtown New York, where art, wellness, and design intersect, and presents strategies for phased implementation, stakeholder value creation, and long-term scalability. Ultimately, it argues that sustainable cultural entrepreneurship arises when artistic, economic, and ethical values converge, when art itself becomes an act of shared attention and care.
Recommended Citation
Huang, Shuyao, "The Sustainable Business Model: The Hybrid Teahouse-Gallery" (2026). MA Projects. 265.
https://digitalcommons.sia.edu/stu_proj/265