The Boston University Arts Administration program is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in visual arts, performing arts, and arts service organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The past two decades have witnessed a rapid expansion in arts audiences, practitioners, and institutions. Simultaneously, the increased cyclical economic uncertainty in both the public and private sectors has resulted in a growing need for highly skilled administrators who can work effectively with elected officials, business and community leaders, and fellow arts professionals.

The Boston University MS in Arts Administration program emphasizes excellence, creativity, economic problem solving, internationalism, and a commitment to the new technologies of our age. We are particularly concerned with helping arts organizations place the achievement of their missions ahead of any blind devotion to maximizing revenues. It is toward such an end that we sustain a deep conviction in the centrality of the role of the artist, and in the fundamental importance of artistic excellence, as issues central to the health of all arts organizations in the twenty-first century. In short, we are committed to making the world safe for art—not making art safe for the world.

The Arts Administration program is offered through Boston University’s Metropolitan College, and is specifically designed to accommodate the schedules of working adults. Students can complete all coursework on a part-time, evening basis, in approximately two years. Full-time study toward the degree is also possible, although scheduling issues may sometimes arise, as not every course will appear in a one-year cycle.

Admission

All candidates for admission to the degree program must have a bachelor’s degree, and are selected on the basis of undergraduate transcripts, academic and personal references, and related work experiences. We are particularly interested in those applicants who have two or more years of work experience after conferral of their undergraduate degrees. Personal interviews are strongly encouraged, either in person or by telephone.

Standard admission tests, such as the GRE (institution code: 3108) or GMAT, are required for international students and for those students who have received their baccalaureate degree within the past two years.

International students are required to submit the iBT TOEFL score (institution code: 3040; department code: 99). Metropolitan College requires a minimum score of 84 on the iBT, though our accepted students tend to score higher (95+). Applicants must score at least the designated minimum in each area, as follows: Reading, 21; Listening, 18; Speaking, 23; Writing, 22 (total 84).

Students are expected to have a demonstrable, discipline-based expertise in one art area (such as visual arts, dance, theatre, or music). Although this requirement may be satisfied in a variety of ways, most applicants have undergraduate degrees in the arts.

The program has a rolling admissions policy with no absolute deadlines. However, students interested in applying for fall admission are encouraged to apply by late March, as the number of applicants is quite high. A student may also complete up to eight credits as a non-matriculating student prior to admission.

Financial Aid

The program provides a small number of Graduate Assistantships to matriculating students. These offer up to $5,000 in tuition remission per semester in exchange for research and administrative work (10–20 hours per week). There is also, at times, a very limited amount of unrestricted scholarship support available to outstanding students. Information about both of these opportunities is made available to students when they are admitted to the degree program. Boston University Financial Assistance (617-358-4072) can provide additional information about deferred payment and loan programs.

Academic Standing

All students in the Arts Administration program must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing and to graduate. No grade below B– in any course may be applied toward the degree. Students with a grade point average below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and must achieve a cumulative 3.0 by the completion of the following semester or be subject to dismissal. Students who are placed on academic probation for two consecutive semesters are also subject to dismissal.

Curriculum

The Master of Science (MS) in Arts Administration is an independent degree program within Boston University’s Metropolitan College. We also take advantage of some of the resources, faculty, and courses offered by the Art History and Historic Preservation Studies departments (Graduate School of Arts & Sciences) and the Administrative Sciences, Advertising, and Urban Affairs departments (Metropolitan College). General information and policies for Metropolitan College can be found in this bulletin and on our website: www.bu.edu/artsadmin.

The Arts Administration program emphasizes an interdisciplinary curriculum, and we are committed to including both performing arts and visual arts students in the same courses. There is also the opportunity to specialize by taking courses specifically within certain discipline-based areas. The curriculum is largely focused on the nonprofit area, but it is also possible to substitute a limited number of courses with a commercial (for profit) orientation. Arts Administration courses are taught by the director, the assistant director, and adjunct faculty who are working professionals in the Boston area. On average, each faculty member has well over ten years of high-level professional experience in the arts.

Program Requirements (ten courses/40 credits)

If marked (*) six concentration courses must be completed before enrolling.

If marked (**) written approval of the advisor is required.

Concentration Core

Group A: These four required courses

• MET AR 690 The Art World
• MET AR 750 Financial Management for Nonprofits
• MET AR 778 Legal Issues in Arts Administration
• MET AR 802/803 Internship in Arts Administration I and II* (2 cr each)

Group B: At least five courses from this group

• MET AR 550 Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
• MET AR 650 Writing for the Arts
• MET AR 700 Leadership and Career Development for Arts Administrators
• MET AR 711 Capital Campaigns
• MET AR 720 Marketing and Audience Development for the Arts
• MET AR 722 Education in Cultural Institutions
• MET AR 723 Individual Fundraising
• MET AR 730 Political and Public Advocacy for the Arts
• MET AR 740 Arts and the Internet
• MET AR 766 Arts and the Community
• MET AR 771 Managing Performing Arts Organizations
• MET AR 774 Managing Visual Arts Organizations
• MET AR 777 Comparative Cultural Policy and Administration
• MET AR 779 Public Art Program Administration
• MET AR 781 Special Topics in Arts Administration
• MET AR 787 The Arts in Barcelona
• MET AR 804 Advanced Management and Consulting for Arts Organizations*

Concentration Electives

Group C: No more than one course may be taken from this group

• MET AD 603 Evaluating and Developing Markets for Cultural Tourism
• MET AD 642 Project Management
• MET AD 648 Introduction to Electronic Commerce, Systems, and Web Design
• MET AD 725 Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
• MET AD 733 Leadership in Management (May not also take AR 700)
• MET AH 588 The Arts in Cuba
• MET CM 708 Principles and Practices of Advertising
• MET UA 515 History and Theory of Urban Planning
• MET UA 805 The Boston Urban Symposium
• CAS AH 520 The Museum and Historical Agency**
• CAS AH 521 Curatorship: Exhibition Development**

One additional course may be substituted from group B above.

Internship

Students matriculating in the Arts Administration program are required to have some direct work experience in arts organizations prior to degree conferral. A minimum of six of the ten required courses must be completed before the student undertakes the actual fieldwork, although the planning phase may begin earlier. The program maintains a formal relationship with a core group of potential host organizations that have been selected for their willingness to work with interns, although it is possible to intern with other organizations as well. The student is expected to complete a total of 150 hours of work with the host agency, generally within a single semester.

Internship Waiver

Students with four or more years of professional arts organization work experience may waive the internship requirement with their advisor’s written consent. If the internship is waived, the student must enroll in a tenth classroom-based course. Also, with the permission of the advisor, MET AR 804 Advanced Management and Consulting for Arts Organizations may be substituted for the internship requirement if the student has had two years of full-time professional arts administration work experience.

International Study

The Arts Administration program is committed to providing its students with high quality international programs of study through the resources of Boston University. Coursework in London, Cuba, and Barcelona has been offered in recent years.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Professor Daniel Ranalli, Director, Department of Arts Administration, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-4064; email: artsad@bu.edu; www.bu.edu/artsadmin.

The Department of Arts Administration is pleased to offer two graduate certificate programs: the Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration and the Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management.

Each certificate consists of four graduate courses. Certificate students take the same classes as graduate students completing the Master of Science (MS) in Arts Administration and must follow all prerequisite requirements as outlined for the MS program. Certificate students have access to all the resources of the department and University, including an extensive network of visual and performing arts organizations that have employed Boston University graduates and internship and job placement services. Credits earned in the certificate programs may be transferred toward the MS in Arts Administration.

Please see details specific to each program below:

Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration

The Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration serves the many practicing and aspiring arts professionals who do not have the time or resources to commit to a full program of graduate study at this time, or may already possess a graduate degree in another field. This certificate may be of particular interest to experienced professionals in related fields who are considering a career change.

The certificate consists of four (4) graduate courses. Three courses are required and one may be selected from the list below. Upon completion, interested students may apply for admission to the Master of Science in Arts Administration program. If accepted, all completed credits earned towards the certificate will be applied to the degree program.

Program Requirements (Four courses/16 credits)

Required Courses

• MET AR 690 The Art World
• MET AR 750 Financial Management for Nonprofits
• MET AR 778 Legal Issues in Arts Administration

Select one additional course:

• MET AR 550 Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
• MET AR 720 Marketing and Audience Development for the Arts
• MET AR 766 Arts and the Community: Managing Community Arts Organizations
• MET AR 771 Managing Performing Arts Organizations
• MET AR 774 Managing Visual Arts Organizations
• MET AR 779 Public Art Program Administration
• MET AR 781 Special Topics in Arts Administration

Admission to the Arts Administration Certificate Program

For information on admission to the Arts Administration Graduate Certificate program, please see admission information for the Master of Science (MS) in Arts Administration found in this bulletin.

For further information, contact Professor Daniel Ranalli, Director, Department of Arts Administration, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-4064; email: artsad@bu.edu; www.bu.edu/artsadmin.

Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management

The Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management provides administrative, financial, technical, and leadership skills for those seeking careers as professional fundraisers and for nonprofit managers who wish to substantially enhance their skills in fundraising. The certificate is also appropriate for professionals considering a career change and professionals in the arts, health care, education, faith-based, and human services fields.

The Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management consists of four courses. Upon completion of the certificate, students working in the visual or performing arts fields may apply for admission to the Master of Science in Arts Administration program. If accepted, all credits earned toward the Certificate will be applied toward degree requirements.

Program Requirements (Four courses/16 credits)

• MET AR 550 Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
• MET AR 711 Capital Campaigns
• MET AR 723 Individual Fundraising
• MET AR 750 Financial Management for Nonprofits

Admission to the Fundraising Management Certificate Program

The certificate is open to qualified applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a fully accredited college or university in the United States or abroad. For information on admission to the Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management program, please see admission information for the Master of Science in Arts Administration.

For further information, contact Professor Richard Maloney fr@bu.edu, Faculty Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management www.bu.edu/met/fundraising, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-4064.