Arts Administration (MA)

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Castleton's Master of Arts in Arts Administration is designed to prepare future leaders to meet the challenges present in the fine and performing arts in the 21^st century and to work within arts organizations to make significant and lasting impacts upon their communities. The program consists primarily of online coursework but requires initial and culminating residencies at the Castleton campus. Full-time students can complete the 30 credit hour degree in one calendar year, although students may certainly opt for a part-time, multi-year completion track as well. Initial and culminating residencies are offered in May and January.

This Master's program culminates with a capstone and internship course in which students design, execute, and assess a significant project within an existing fine or performing arts organization from a position of executive leadership.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Arts Administration, students will possess specific core competencies in certain areas, including:

Financial and audience development, strategic analysis and planning
The dynamics and logistics of institutional development related to how art gets presented and produced
The legal, ethical, and policy environments for the arts
Leadership in complex organizational environments including the dynamics of working with boards, organizational structure and staffing, and working with both artist and community constituencies
The application of research methodologies to the field including the ability to conceptualize, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate data

A member institution of the Association for Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), Castleton's program has been designed according to Association guidelines and standards.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the MA in Arts Administration is based upon a combination of the applicant's resume, personal statement, letters of reference, and undergraduate cumulative grade point average. Students must have attained or be nearing completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in order to be considered for admission (nationally accredited institutions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis).

Specific standards for admission are as follows:

A current resume indicating significant work in the fine and/or performing arts. This may include administrative, artistic, or production credits, but must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts as a career.
A personal statement (not to exceed 1000 words) describing the student's background, how it informs their vision of the arts in our society in the 21^st century, and their specific goals for achieving this vision as an arts leader.

Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references that speak directly to the student's potential to contribute to executive level administration in the fine and/or performing arts.

A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.

It is not necessary for the student's undergraduate degree to be in an arts discipline, but their other application materials must demonstrate a life-long commitment to a career in the arts and arts leadership.

Students who do not meet the above requirements may apply for provisional admittance. If accepted provisionally, students may complete up to 9 graduate level credits during a probationary period. A student who has successfully completed these credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may be considered for full program admission. Students who do not earn the minimum GPA may be dismissed.

Because class size is restricted, students are encouraged to apply early for acceptance into the program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Course Requirements

To complete the Master of Arts in Arts Administration, a student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete the following courses:

Initial residency
AAD 5010 - Arts Administration and Community in the 21st Century 3 cr
Online courses (cannot be taken until initial residency is completed)
AAD 5020 - Writing and Research for Arts Administrators 3 cr
AAD 5030 - Leadership and Strategic Planning 3 cr
AAD 5040 - Financial and Budget Management for Arts Administrators 3 cr *
AAD 5050 - Marketing and Media for Arts Organizations 3 cr
AAD 6010 - Fundraising and Development in the Arts 3 cr
AAD 6020 - Law, Public Policy and Ethics in the Arts 3 cr
AAD 6030 - Visual Arts Organizational Administration 3 cr -OR- AAD 6040 - Performing Arts Organizational Administration
Culminating residency
AAD 6810 - Internship in Arts Administration 3-6 cr **

Notes

* One undergraduate accounting course (preferably either Accounting I or Managerial Accounting I) must be on the student's transcript prior to enrolling in AAD 5040 . Students without this course on their current transcripts are advised to enroll in such a course either online or in person at a regionally accredited university, college, or community college and should verify with the Program Coordinator that the course is suitable for transfer as the prerequisite for AAD 5040.

** Prior to enrolling in AAD 6810 , students must have completed at least 24 hours in the program. Students that have not met this requirement may take up to 6 hours of coursework concurrently with AAD 6810 as co-requisites with the approval of the Program Coordinator.

(Total credits required for the degree: 30 cr)

A student will be placed on academic probation if GPA in any semester falls below 3.0. If placed on probation, the student must raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above in the next semester in which the student registers for classes. Failure to bring the GPA to 3.0 or higher in the next enrolled academic semester may cause the student to be dismissed from the program.