Arts Administration

• MET AR 550: Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
  An examination of 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.
• MET AR 577: Comparative Cultural Policy and Administration
  Drawing on the resources of Boston University and its partner institutions in Boston, London, and Paris, this course examines the nature of cultural policy in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and the European Union. Through class discussions and readings (drawn from public policy and economics), lectures by leading arts administration practitioners and policy makers in Paris and London, and visits to important international cultural venues, this course will examine the impact of cultural and national differences on the cultural policy making process.
• MET AR 587: The Arts in Barcelona
  Barcelona is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe and one of the main tourist destinations in the world. It is widely known for its art, from the works of Joan Miro and mural/graffiti artist El Pez, and its World Heritage architecture, such as the intricate, organic structures of Antonio Gaud?. Even more, the city is an economic and commercial hub. In this course, we will examine the creative industries in Europe through the lens of the sector in Barcelona, Spain. We will learn the history of the city to better understand the present and will discuss topics such as sociopolitical identity, especially the context of the Catalonian region within Spain, cultural heritage, cultural diplomacy, cultural economic development, and the impact of tourism. Site visits may include the Picasso Museum and the Fundaci? T?pies, the Sagrada Fam?lia, Casa Batll?, and the Palau de la M?sica Catalana, along with performing arts venues and other historic properties and neighborhoods. We will also explore the role and impact of parallel cultural activities and entrepreneurial initiatives, such as culinary arts, startup ventures, and fashion. Along the way, we will gain invaluable insights from our exchanges with area cultural producers, curators, artists, and BU arts administration alumni and colleagues
• MET AR 690: The Art World
  An examination of the arts institutions, issues, and forces that shape the contemporary art world. Surveys the institutions and actors that comprise the ecology of the art world, and examines significant recent trends within a model of four interrelated spheres: 1) Individual Artists; 2) Government; 3) the Nonprofit Sector; and 4) the Private Sector. Explores how stakeholders connect and interact with each other while engaging with significant institutions and the public to affect the cultural history of our time. This is the gateway course in the Arts Administration Program, and is usually taken in the first semester. Non-Arts Administration students contact the Arts Administration Program, 1010 Commonwealth Ave.
• 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.
• MET AR 720: Marketing and 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 be expected to develop their own marketing plans for an arts organization.
• MET AR 722: Educational Programming in Cultural Institutions
  This course will review the history, theory, and practice of educational programming and audience engagement in both museums and performing arts organizations. Emphasis will be on analysis of program design, implementation, and evaluation, teacher training, and creation of youth and adult learning programs.
• MET AR 723: Individual Fundraising
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET AR550
  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.
• MET AR 730: Political and Public Advocacy for the Arts
  This course 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.
• MET AR 740: Technology and Arts Administration
  The ever-evolving nature of computer technology presents opportunities and challenges in the work of arts administrators. This course will examine a range of technologies employed by arts organizations to improve their practice and extend their reach, including customer relations management, fundraising, collaboration management, ticketing, project management, and social media management. Students will examine emerging products and trends, interact with technology providers, engage in hands-on trials, and develop technology plans for specific organization scenarios.
• MET AR 749: Research and Program Evaluation in Arts Administration
  This course is designed to equip students with the tools and critical thinking skills to identify and apply appropriate methodologies to support the work of their organizations as practitioners and consumers of research. We will review the major approaches to social science research, including a range of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies, and consider the relevance of each research framework to specific questions in the arts. The course will consider the role of arts research in domains such as audience development and marketing; program evaluation and assessment; social and economic impact; decision-making and reflective practice; collaboration and creation; case making and communication with the public.
• MET AR 750: Financial Management for Nonprofits
  Analyzes issues of accounting, finance, and economics in the context of the nonprofit organization. Stresses understanding financial statements, budget planning and control, cash flow analysis, and long term planning.
• MET AR 751: Commercial Production: The Broadway Model
  This course will examine the process of developing commercial Broadway productions from "page to stage." Students will examine the selection process that producers follow to identify a piece or property. We will examine the entire production process, from securing the rights and options, to legal processes including investor relations and collective bargaining, to assembling a creative and production team. Students will have the opportunity to meet with several Broadway professionals as guest speakers. Other topics covered may include securing a theater, residual, and subsidiary income as well as domestic and international touring. The leadership role of the producer will be discussed at every stage of the journey.
• MET AR 752: Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses
  Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses explores the practice of producing theater as an act of entrepreneurship, and the strategic thinking necessary to take a concept for a creative business or initiative and make it a reality. Students will learn the skills of leadership and management as they are applied in a dynamic arts environment. In this course we will go behind the bright lights of Broadway to examine the variety of creative business that support or leverage the commercial theater industry, as well as the ways in which creative business people inside of the largest legacy institutions are creating new strategies to stay at the forefront of this highly competitive field. We will also consider the ways in which nonprofit theaters are increasingly seeking to build earned revenue strategies, and the growing number of commercial/nonprofit partnerships that operate within the industry.
• MET AR 753: Current Trends in the Performing Arts Industry
  Promoting a theatrical property extends beyond selling tickets to performances; be it a limited or open-ended engagement. Producers and artists continually seek new opportunities and environments for their properties. This requires strategic planning with a holistic view of an goals implementing a methodical process, of analyzing, decision-making and forecasting its business activity(s) to ensure future success.
• MET AR 754: Global Performing Arts Presenting and Producing
  This course focuses on core concepts that are involved with offering a theatrical property to the touring market and other commercial presenting environments such as cruise ships, casinos, resorts or public/private partnerships. Leaders of these businesses and entertainment organizations must present or produce artistically rewarding programs that align with their missions to attract, retain and grow audiences, while maintaining sustainable financial support. The course explores the assessment of a commercial artistic/entertainment property for the purpose of placing the property on Broadway, an international tour or other settings in which the property can be presented and monetized. The specific legal and licensing requirements to accomplish a variety of presenting models, such as ADA requirements, international visa requirements, content licensing, and financial models etc. will be explored with a strong focus on international engagements and viability.
• MET AR 766: Arts and 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.
• MET AR 771: Managing Performing Arts Organizations
  Graduate Prerequisites: MET AR 690
  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, fundraising, tour management, box office management, budgeting, mailing list and membership management, human resource management and contract negotiation, performance measurement, and strategic planning.
• MET AR 774: Managing Visual Arts Organizations
  Graduate Prerequisites: MET AR 690
  A review of topics essential for successful management of 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, fund-raising, crisis management, audience development, and strategic planning.
• MET AR 778: Legal Issues in Arts Administration
  "Arts Administration Law" is not a legal field; rather, it is a series of highly specialized legal analyses lying at the intersection of tax, intellectual property, employment, corporate law, and the law of non-profits that defines the legal status and issues of arts organizations. It is an interdisciplinary area, including all aspects of the law connected with art, artists (both performing and visual), performance and objects. Topics include: nonprofits and tax- exemption, contracts, copyright for performing and visual artists and artifacts, artists' moral rights, employment law, cultural heritage and the First Amendment. The course is taught using case studies and the case method applied to legal decisions, to which legal analytic frameworks will be applied. Prerequisite: MET AR690