Arts Administration Graduate Courses

Participate in this extraordinary experience as we look at Cuban art and cultural institutions, the role of the arts and the freedom of intellectual, artistic, and cultural creation in Cuba. Join us for an intensive residential course in Cuba for a provocative exchange of ideas and experiences among students, faculty and professional artists in Cuba. Visit bu.edu/explorations for details on how to join this educational excursion.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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. The course gives students the opportunity to develop written materials such as cover letters, resumes, fundraising appeals, press releases and exhibition and performance notes. Regular writing and critique assignments in a workshop format.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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, and feminism and multiculturalism. Usually taken as a first course. Non-Ärts Admininstration students contact the Arts Admin Dept, 808 Commonwealth Ave.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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, and networking skills. Assignments will include experiential exercises, case studies, interviewing of leaders, public speaking, resume, cover letter, and mock interviews.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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 be expected to develop their own marketing plans for an arts organization. Arts Admin students only. Prerequisite: AR690 or take it concurrently and with permission of instructor.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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, and evaluation; teacher training and youth programs.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Political and 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.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

The course examines the World Wide Web and digital technology, as they relate to Artists and Arts organizations. Class will include presentations lectures, readings and class discussions. Special attention is given to critical examination, and formal treatment for site development, which will include; analyzing an organization, and other websites of similar organizations, defining the needs of the organization, how the on-line presentation should be visualized, and developing the technical skills students will need as future art administrators.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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.   [ 4 cr.]

Grad Prereq: MET AR 690

Offered: Spring 2010

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, fund-raising, crisis management, audience development, and strategic planning.   [ 4 cr.]

Grad Prereq: MET AR 690

Offered: Spring 2010

Students travel to London for one week while examining the nature of cultural policy in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union from 1950 to the present.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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/immigration restrictions) and artists, nonprofit incorporation, and tax-exempt status for organizations.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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 covers a range of topics, from how to get your show reviewed and how to deal with bad reviews, to why the World Series can impact box office at the ballet.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

International travel course in which students have the opportunity to visit cultural institutions and meet professionals in the arts field. Discussion topics include cultural policy, museum systems, financing the arts in Barcelona, European copyright issues, and the theater and music institutional framework and support system. 4 cr   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

  [Var cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Two consecutive two-credit courses for planning (AR 802) and fieldwork (AR 803) phases of the internship. 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. Arts Administration degree students only.   [ 2 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

Two consecutive two-credit courses for planning (AR 802) and fieldwork (AR 803) phases of the internship. 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. Arts Administration degree students only.   [ 2 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010

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 and team of students with a local arts organization. Permission from instructor required/arts administration students only. Students may not register for MET AR 803 until they have completed a minimum of six required courses.   [ 4 cr.]

Offered: Spring 2010