course descriptions

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MET AR 550 Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
An introductory course that examines ways to raise funds from government, foundation, corporate, and individual sources. The following topics will be addressed through lectures and case analysis: the history of philanthropy, the planning and research process, proposal and grant preparation, program evaluation, and the role of the board and staff in developing effective fundraising strategies.
Offered: Fall
4 credit course Eric D'Alessandro

MET AR 650 Writing for the Arts

Arts professionals straddle two worlds, the world of the artist and the world of the manager. As artists, their job entails challenging the world; as managers, they must accommodate it. Through a range of real world writing assignments the course charts two distinct kinds of writing required of arts professionals, promotional and critical, and examines the relation between the two. Topics include cover letters and resumes, press releases, exhibition and performance notes as well as reviews in the performing and visual arts. Regular writing and critique of assignments in a workshop format.
Offered: Spring
4 credit course
Christopher Millis

MET AR 690 The Art World
An examination of the arts institutions, issues, and forces that shape the contemporary art world. Topics include government cultural policy, National Endowment for the Arts, museums, symphonies, curators, critics, artists' rights, public art, corporate support, censorship, feminism and multiculturalism. Usually taken as a first course. Stamped Approval for non-arts administration students
Offered: Fall, Spring
4 credit course Daniel Ranalli
, Richard Maloney

MET AR 700 Leadership and Career Development for Arts Administrators
This course will cover both the theory and practice of effective leadership and career development in the arts. Topics will include negotiation and presentation skills, decision making, consensus building, management styles, self-assessments, mock interviews, resume and cover letter strategies, networking skills. Assignments will include experiential exercises, case studies, interviewing of leaders, public speaking, resume, cover letter and mock interviews.
The course includes an experiential learning weekend at Boston University's Sargent Center, a full-service conference and education center in the nearby Monadnock region of New Hampshire.  The weekend is a key component to the course that will allow students to experience real-life leadership and organizational dynamics, to make case studies come to life, and to get feedback and a chance to put leadership issues and personal goals into perspective. 
Offered: Summer Term
4 credit course Angela Myles Beeching

MET AR 711 Capital Campaigns
This course is designed to broaden the student’s understanding of capital campaign fundraising. Topics include: feasibility studies; strategic planning and budgeting; private and public phases; ethical responsibilities; staff, donor, volunteer, board, and trustee management; major gift solicitation; campaign communications; trend analysis; and evaluation. The course curriculum will include readings, case studies, guest speakers, and analysis of current capital campaign projects.
Offered: Summer Term
4 credit course Mary Doorley

MET AR 720 Marketing & Audience Development for the Arts
This course is designed to provide fundamental background in the theory and principles of arts marketing and audience development used by nonprofit performing and visual arts organizations. Case analysis will be employed to review strategies and practices currently used in the cultural sector. Students will acquire the ability to develop a marketing plan for an arts organization. Prerequisite: MET AR 690.
Offered: Fall
4 credit course
Janet Bailey, Richard Maloney

MET AR 722 Education in Cultural Institutions
Course will review the history, theory, and practice of educational programming and outreach in both museums and performing arts organizations. Emphasis will be on analysis of program design, implementation, evaluation, teacher training and youth programs.
Offered: Fall
4 credit course Linda Murphy Sutherland

MET AR 723 Individual Fundraising
This course will address the full range of issues related to attracting financial support from individuals. Topics will include: raising dollars annually for operations, raising funds through special events (“fundraisers”), cultivating and soliciting major gifts, and the basics of bequests and estate planning as well as ethical issues and working effectively with donors and volunteers. Course work will include readings, case studies, and guest speakers.
Offered: Spring
4 credit course Lew Karabatsos

MET AR 730 Political & Public Advocacy for the Arts
Political & Public Advocacy for the Arts will address the politics of arts and culture through seminars with political and cultural leaders, class discussion, readings, and research. Students will develop advocacy campaign plans and analyze how cultural organizations interact with all levels of government.
Offered:  Fall
4 credit course Dan Hunter and Jeff Terrey

MET AR 740 Arts and the Internet
The course examines the World Wide Web and Digital technology, as they relate to Artists and Arts organizations. The class will include presentations lectures and readings; beyond this the emphasis of the class will manifest a seminar style discussion environment specifically relating to Arts organizations and Artists. This class will be a way to foster one in the use of the Internet by individuals and institutions. Special attention is given to critical examination, and formal treatment for site development, which will include; analyzing an organization, analyzing other websites of similar organizations, defining the needs of the organization, how the on-line presentation should be visualized, and learn about the any technical aspects of web development the students should know as future art administrators.
Offered: Spring
4 credit course Francis Olschafskie

MET AR 750 Financial Management for Nonprofits
Analyzes issues of accounting, finance, and economics in the context of the not-for-profit organization. Stresses understanding financial statements, budget planning and control, cash flow analysis, and long term planning. Prerequisite: MET AC 630 or accounting equivalent. Stamped Approval for non-arts administration students.
Offered: Fall, Spring
4 credit course David Orlinoff, Catherine Gill

MET AR 766 Arts & the Community
An analysis of issues that involve the engagement of cultural institutions with their immediate community. Includes examination of local arts centers, local arts councils, arts service organizations, agency/government relations, urban issues, multiculturalism, and festivals.
Offered: Summer
4 credit course Rose Austin

MET AR 771 Managing Performing Arts Organizations
A review of topics essential for successful management of performing arts organizations. Examination of both facilities management and company management. Studies include organizational structure, trustee/staff relations, marketing, audience building, fund-raising, tour management, box office management, budgeting, mailing list and membership management, human resource management and contract negotiation, performance measurement, and strategic planning. Prerequisite: MET AR 690.
Offered: Spring
4 credit course
Richard Maloney

MET AR 774 Managing Visual Arts Organizations

Emphasizes museums, but also includes a review of alternative spaces, commercial galleries, and auction houses. Topics include the changing role of the museum, exhibition planning, fundraising, crisis management, audience development, and strategic planning. Prerequisite: MET AR 690.
Offered: Spring
4 credit course Christine McCarthy

MET AR 777 Comparative Cultural Policy and Administration Drawing on the resources of Boston University's London campus, this course examines the nature of cultural policy in the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union from 1950 to the present. Through lectures and readings drawn from public policy, economics, and law, this course will discuss the impact of cultural and national differences on the cultural policy decision making process.
Offered: Summer
4 credit course Richard Maloney

MET AR 778 Legal Issues in Arts Administration
Analysis of legal implications of managing an arts institution. Topics include nonprofits and tax-exempt structure, contracts, copyright for performing and visual artists, artists' moral rights legislation, royalties and artists' economic rights, international movement of art (duties and immigration restrictions) and artists, nonprofit incorporation, and tax-exempt status for organizations.
Offered: Fall & Spring
4 credit course Peter Caruso

MET AR 779 Public Art Program Administration
An overview of public art programs in the United States and of related management issues. Includes government-sponsored funds for art and other funding systems; and working with federal, state, and local governments, artists, architects, and community groups in artist selection, site preparation and long-term maintenance.
Offered: Fall
4 credit course  Ricardo Barreto

MET AR 781 Special Topics: Public Relations for the Arts & Entertainment Industries
This course is designed to give students the practical skills required to practice arts/entertainment public relations such as building press kits, pitching feature stories and the definition of "diva-time," as well as a more fundamental understanding of the role public relations plays in the cultural industries.  Using real-life examples and case studies, the course will cover such topics as how to get your show reviewed, dealing with bad reviews, and why the World Series can impact box office at the ballet.
Offered:  Summer
4 credit course David Balsom

MET AR 781 Special Topics
Various course topics to be selected by program faculty to respond to current issues in the field of arts administration.

4 credit course

MET AR 787 The Arts in Barcelona
Offered between semesters this course will be taught in Barcelona, Spain in English. Topics include cultural policy, museum systems, financing the arts in Barcelona, European copyright issues and the theater and music institutional framework and support system. Classroom and on site cultural institution visits with professionals in the field.
Offered:  Spring 2008
4 credit course Daniel Ranalli

MET AR 802 & 803 Internship in Arts Administration I & II
Two consecutive two-credit courses for planning (AR 802) and fieldwork (AR 803) phases of the internship. For more information, please review the internship page. Prerequisite: Arts Administration degree students only Students may not register for MET AR 803, or begin their actual internship until they have completed a minimum of six of the ten required courses.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
2 credits each course Daniel Ranalli,
Richard Maloney

MET AR 804 Advanced Management & Consulting For Arts Organizations
The purpose of this course is to increase students' ability to analyze and solve problems that confront arts organizations. Students will apply financial, marketing, fundraising, and legal knowledge and techniques to (1) in-class discussion of key management issues of concern to senior leadership, and (2) a semester-long consulting project which partners a team of students with a local arts organization.
Prerequisite:Students must have completed six required courses and have the permission of their advisor.
Offered:
Spring
4 credit course Janet Bailey



Having worked for three years as a stage manager in the Boston theater community I felt I needed to learn more about the administrative side of the arts. The program has given me an overview of the different aspects of the art world as well as providing an in-depth look at specialty areas. One highlight was taking “Advanced Management and Consulting for the Arts” which enabled me to serve as a consultant to a local arts organization.


Debra Rafson
Master of Science in Arts Administration ‘05

 


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