Arts administration.html



Arts administration is a college or university discipline which prepares people for careers as arts administrators and managers of arts and cultural organizations such as orchestras, theater companies, or museums. While programs in arts administration draw on many elements of related administration fields, such as business administration, they also include specialized courses on administering non-profit art and cultural organizations.

Programs

Arts administration programs award a range of credentials, including certificates and diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, and Master's degrees. These programs usually blend curriculum elements from existing administration programs such as public administration, business administration, and management. Indeed, in some universities, the arts administration program is a specialization within the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Many arts administration programs include a practicum in which the student volunteers or works in an arts or cultural organization to gain practical experience.

One example of a dual-degree Master's degree arts administration program, one that combines a Master of Arts degree (MA) in arts administration with a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA), is the program offered by the University of Cincinnati in conjunction with the the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. The UC/CCM Graduate Arts Administration Program exists to prepare and train students to become successful CEOs and senior managers of nonprofit arts and cultural institutions. The philosophy and structure of the program reflects the understanding that sound business training and practical, real-world exposure to the field are both essential qualities of a successful arts administrator. More information can be found at the following link, www.ArtsAdminMBA.com.

Further examples and information about arts administration programs can found at the Association of Arts Administration Educators website, www.artsadministration.org

Arts administrators

Arts administrators work for arts and cultural organizations such as theaters, "...art galleries, museums, arts festivals, arts centres, arts councils, regional arts boards, dance companies, community arts organisations, disability arts organizations and local authorities."¹

An arts administrator in a small organization may do marketing, event booking, and handle financial issues. An arts administrator for a larger arts organization may be responsible for buildings and facilities, creative staff (e.g., performers/artists), other administrative staff, public relations, marketing, and writing reports. A senior level-arts administrator may advise the Board of Directors or other senior managers on "strategic planning and management decisions." ¹

Programs

Arts administration programs are available at a number of universities and colleges in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. Some academic units offer certificate programs for practitioners seeking continuing education or professional development education.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Arts administrator: Job description and activities

Arts Management Network International information service for arts administration.
Association of Arts Administration Educators An international association of degree-granting programs in arts and cultural management.
European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centres