This collaboration, along with the City of Fort Collins, allows the program to give students high quality education and training, hands-on experience, and a platform to share ideas and develop as a 21st century artist. Like Baldwin Wallace, Colorado State has partnered with the hub of its arts community, the Arts Incubator of the Rockies. “To have the marketing and economics input from that (business) program is really critical to the overall success of the LEAP program,” says Jennifer Clary.
The degree program is in conjunction with the College of Business. This partnership, along with the program’s internship requirement, allows students to apply their studies to real-life experiences.Ī newer program at Colorado State University is LEAP (Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Arts Advocacy, and the Public), which offers a minor in Arts Leadership and Administration to undergraduate music, theater, dance, and art students, as well as a Master of Arts Leadership and Administration graduate program. Third-year students help put on its annual International Children’s Festival, and seniors, in their last semester, conduct a major market research study and produce a show for the company. The program also has a rich partnership with Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, the second largest theater complex in the country. “We try to work with each student to identify their interest areas, passion, and strengths that align to a career path, a way to be successful in the arts with a stable career.” “The great thing about this program is that every student has a somewhat unique skill set and group of experiences from any other graduate,” says Bryan Bowser, director of the Arts Management Program. Its Arts Management Program allows students to choose a major or minor in the arts and combine it with a business major or minor. members of AAAE offering undergraduate training is Baldwin Wallace University. Sampling of College ProgramsĪpproximately 40 undergraduate and 60 graduate programs throughout the world are members of the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE).
“It’s not enough just to be a brilliant violin player,” she says, “if you have no clue how to promote yourself.” She goes on to say that arts management programs not only train those who want to manage themselves or promote their own artistic careers, but also provide people skills necessary for working in the non-profit or public sphere.
Along with the traditional music courses, arts management students learn to better market themselves, understand accounting and finances, and discover ways to overall enhance their careers as artists.Ĭonstance DeVereaux, an associate professor at Colorado State, has been involved in arts management for many years and has done extensive research in the field. “Being an artist in the 21st century takes more than just doing your art,” says Jennifer Clary, director of marketing for Colorado State University’s Center for the Arts. Some become self-employed and open their own studios or create chamber ensembles.Īrts management is a great option for musicians who would like to have a stronger business background. Students from arts management programs also go on to work with operas, symphonies, dance companies, record labels, digital streaming companies, and more. While arts management is largely associated with the non-profit sector, there are numerous opportunities with for-profit companies. Depending on where your interests lie, arts management offers many paths.
By Caitlin Peterkin What is Arts Management?Īrts management blends the artistic and business elements of a career in the arts.