Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the current state of arts entrepreneurship education at higher educational institutions (HEIs) by reviewing the relevant literature and surveying lecturers in Fine Art. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis of fine art students' educational situation at HEIs in the UK and Germany is conducted in two steps: first, a literature review provides an overview of the current state of arts entrepreneurship education, followed by the second step of a cross-sectional survey by questionnaires among fine art lecturers to capture their perspectives of fine art students' professional preparation. Findings: The study confirms the assumed poor state of arts entrepreneurship education at HEIs by showing evidence that an entrepreneurial education of fine art students is definitely not implemented at HEIs, neither in the UK nor in Germany. Practical implications: The findings stimulate the discussion of HEIs' task and responsibility to professionally prepare fine art graduates for their entrepreneurial and professional career. Originality/value: The study contributes to knowledge by presenting relevant findings related to fine art curriculum and current state of fine art graduates' vocational preparation.