ARTs management

Interdisciplinary Major or Minor - www.uwgb.edu/artsmanagement/

 

OVERVIEW OF THE ARTS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM:
The Arts Management major provides the skills necessary to manage not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations. The philosophy of the program is grounded in the interaction of arts and culture in community settings and the curriculum is centered around three focus areas: management and organizational skills; interdisciplinary arts literacy; and practical experience. Students study the management of visual arts, performing arts, literary, history and cultural organizations within the context of the interaction of arts and culture with civic, educational, economic and political systems. Students supplement classroom study in funding and financial management, working with a board of directors, public awareness, audience development and advocacy with an internship or practicum which provides practical experience with a community arts organization or on-campus visual or performing arts activities.


WHO SHOULD BE AN ARTS MANAGEMENT MAJOR OR MINOR:
Arts Management is an ideal major or minor for students who like to be around the arts but are not necessarily interested in being an artist or performer.  It’s also a good choice for those who are preparing for artistic careers and want to have some training in the “business side” of the arts, so that they can manage their own careers, understand the organizations that hire artists, or even be prepared to accept administrative jobs between artistic gigs. 

We use the term “arts management” very broadly.  Students in the Arts Management Program may be majoring or minoring in other artistic disciplines such as studio art, music or theatre, but students majoring in English, history, communications, business and economics have also minored or double-majored in arts management.  Many arts management majors choose to minor in an artistic discipline, but Communications, English, Humanistic Studies, and many other programs can pair well with arts management.

 

WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AT UWGB:
UW-Green Bay is only one of two programs in the UW-Wisconsin System with an Arts Management major.  Some other arts management programs ask students to take a few arts courses and a few business courses, but UW-Green Bay’s program is unique in that students study several courses in the Arts Management core that deal with the special needs of the arts industry. 

Arts Management features opportunities for practical experience at UWGB, in the community and beyond.  Students can receive credit for working with arts and entertainment organizations on campus, from the Lawton Gallery to Good Times Programming to Phlash TV.   Internships are available with local performing and visual arts organizations, and students have also arranged internships as far away as Sydney, Australia and London, England.  Some of our grads are even working for the organizations where they interned!

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THE ARTS MANAGEMENT MAJOR OR MINOR:

Students studying arts management are preparing for careers working in the administrative offices of theatres, museums, symphony orchestras, galleries, arts councils, and other types of organizations that facilitate arts and cultural events.  With an Arts Management major, you could coordinate an outdoor art fair, market a community theater’s season, or write grants for a museum. 
Some of the businesses that have hired our grads include Wisconsin Public Radio, the Francis Hardy Center for the Arts, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, New London Public Museum, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra and the Art Garage.  Other grads are working for public relations corporations, economic development organizations and touring with Broadway shows.

 

LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS FOR arts management

Association of Arts Administration Educators: www.artsadministration.org.  This professional organization includes most of the major arts management programs in the United States as its members.  The website has a searchable database of both graduate and undergraduate programs in arts management.

Bolz Center for Arts Administration, UW-Madison.  www.bolzcenter.org.  UW-Madison has the only graduate program in arts management in Wisconsin, and their site contains much useful information, not only on their program but the arts management field as well.

Graduate study is useful for those seeking specialization within the arts management field, and who hope to work for large organizations in major cultural centers or to teach.  However, an undergraduate Arts Management degree is sufficient for most jobs in Green Bay and Northeastern Wisconsin.

LINKS TO WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Arts Wisconsin: www.artswisconsin.org.  Comprehensive information on the arts and arts organizations in Wisconsin, including a job board.

Americans for the Arts: www.americansforthearts.org .  The nation’s leading arts support organization has a wealth of information including current trends and events in the field.


LINKS FOR MORE HELP:

 

Maintained by the Academic Advising Office, SS 1600, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI. 54311-7001

 

Revised 2/09