Artopolis: The State of the Creative Nation Arts entrepreneurs won't save the day for every city, but in some spots, they're the new oil (paint) barons.

As far as arts entrepreneurship goes, the Slowdown club in Omaha, Neb., started modestly. It was barely art, and barely entrepreneurship.

Jason Kulbel and Robb Nansel just wanted a place to hang out, drink a beer and listen to some good music in Omaha. Their neighbors learned of their plan and crowded a public hearing, furious at the idea of young people milling around, drinking and laughing late into the night. It's easy to imagine the rest: Conservative city prevents those damn kids from making a ruckus.