Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report on the current state of arts entrepreneurship education at higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the UK and Germany. It is based on findings from questionnaire surveys among 210 lecturers in fine art at 89 HEIs in the UK and Germany. Design/methodology/approach: This paper explores issues related to fine art curriculum in higher education in the UK and Germany via survey questionnaires among 210 fine art lecturers with focus on arts entrepreneurship. Findings: The study shows evidence that an arts entrepreneurship education, although considered by lecturers to be important and necessary for the professional and entrepreneurial preparation of fine art graduates, is definitely not implemented at HEIs, in neither the UK nor Germany. Practical implications: The findings stimulate the discussion in the field of arts entrepreneurship and the redesigning of fine art curriculum to prepare fine art graduates for their entrepreneurial and professional careers. Originality/value: There is still a marked paucity of research that focusses on arts entrepreneurship education. This study contributes to the knowledge by presenting specific findings related to fine art curriculum.