Performing Arts Administration

35 West 4th Street, Suite 777

New York, New York 10012
USA
Main Phone: 212-998-5505. 5506
Main E-Mail: brann.wry@nyu.edu

Degree/Credential: Graduate (Master's in Arts Administration)
Web Site: http://www.nyu.edu

Program Director: BWry [link available to AAAE members only]

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Program Goals and Objectives

Background, Orientation and Purpose

The New York University Performing Arts Administration Program began in 1971 as a 36-point program and expanded to a 54-point program in 1976.  It is a cooperative program of the School of Education and the Leonard N. Stern School of Business. The program requires a commitment of two academic years.  Its mission is to educate arts administrators of the highest caliber to lead performing arts institutions by serving in the areas of general management, marketing, development, programming, long-range planning, board and volunteer development and organizational goal formation.  The program’s faculty members counsel and advise students closely in their academic and internship experiences to help them make a smooth transition from the University to the service of the arts.

 

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Administration of the Program

Professor Brann J. Wry directs the program.  He also teaches the principal seminars, evaluates students in their internships and directs them in their culminating projects.  The full-time faculty is supplemented by the teaching of adjunct professors Timothy McClimon, Attorney at Law, Executive Director of AT & T Foundation; Patrice Iacovelli, former Director of Development at the Atlantic Theater Company; Claudia Keenan Hough, Director of Marketing, New York City Opera; Duncan M. Webb, President of Webb Management Services; and Linda Shelton, Executive Director of the Joyce Theater.

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Curriculum

Completion of the now 48-point program, on a full-time basis, takes two academic years.  Students are required to take 18 credits in management studies either at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business or the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.  At the same time, the students must fulfill their major requirements by taking seminars in the Environment of Arts Administration, Principles and Practices of Arts Administration, Development for the Performing Arts, Marketing the Performing Arts, Planning and Finance for the Performing Arts, and Governance, as well as six credits of internship.  In addition, electives are required in Management, Arts Administration, and/or Art with advice of the program director.  Prerequisites to study include a course in microeconomics and statistics or quantitative methods prior to coming into the program.  Alternatively, the economics and statistics requirements may be fulfilled while in the program.  Up to nine credits may be satisfied by taking courses in the Arts Administration Study Abroad Program, planned next for June of 2002. 

Course of Study

 Semester I (Total Points 12)

            Environment of Performing Arts Administration (3)

            Principles & Practices of Performing Arts Administration (3)

            Marketing Concepts and Strategies (3)

            Managing Organizations (3)

 Semester II (Total Points 12)

            Law and the Performing Arts (3)

            Development for the Performing Arts (3)

            Consumer Behavior (3)

            Internship I (3)

 Semester III (Total Points 12)      

            Marketing the Performing Arts (3)

            Financial Accounting (3)

            Internship II (3)

            Elective (3)

 Semester IV (Total Points 12)

            Planning and Finance in the Performing Arts (3)

            Governance and Trusteeship in the Performing Arts(3)

            Seminar:  Issues in Cultural Policy (3)

            Management Elective (3)

Total Points Required for Degree: 48

Pre-requisites: Microeconomics and Statistics

 Major Paper Requirement

A major paper, project, or case study is required in the Seminar on Cultural Policy: Issues in Arts Administration.

Internship

Students are required to take six credits of internship.  These may be fulfilled in the form of two 20-hours-per-week internships for three credits each or one 35-40-hours-per-week internship for a semester’s credit of six points.

In addition, the program offers a study abroad program in the late spring/early summer, which provides study in comparative issues and practice in arts administration in the United States of America and Europe.

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Admissions

Admission to the program is limited.  Applicants are required to possess a background in one or more areas of the arts and prior experience with a cultural organization.  Expertise in an area of the arts is typically demonstrated by an undergraduate degree in music, theatre, art or dance, although other evidence of knowledge and competency may be offered.  Prior experience in a cultural organization may include both paid and voluntary forms of activity.  These requirements are in addition to the normal academic requirements of minimum grade point average established by the University.  Prospective students should note that the program is such as to demand individual initiative and judgment and that, therefore, a significant degree of maturity is expected in those accepted.

Candidates for the program should apply to:

            The Steinhardt School of Education
            Graduate Admissions
            New York University
            32 Washington Place
            2nd Floor
            New York, NY  10003

            (212) 998-5030

            Email: ed.gradadmissions@nyu.edu

            Web: http://www.nyu.edu/education/graduate.admissions

Two letters of recommendation from former employers, supervisors or advisors are required.  Interviews are by invitation after the initial review of applications.  Applicants may apply at any time of the year but no later than February 1st of each year for once yearly admission in the subsequent Fall semester.

Tuition is $825.00 per credit.  At present, limited financial aid is available.  Applicants should inquire directly to the Office of Financial Aid, New York University, 25 West 4th Street, New York, New York, 10003, as soon as possible during the application process.  If accepted candidates will be advised with respect to financial aid by the Financial Aid Advisor in the Office of Graduate Admissions.  Information concerning residence facilities for graduate students is available from Ms. Valeria Ruff, School of Education, Pless Hall, 82 Washington Square East, New York, New York, 10003, telephone

(212) 998-5025.  Application for residence must be made quite early, and only after acceptance to the program.