Arts Policy and Administration Program

The Arts Policy and Administration Program at the Ohio State University (APA-OSU) is one of the few graduate programs in the country to dedicate itself to serious research and advanced training in both arts administration and cultural policy. Based in the College of the Arts at a major research university, it offers both a Master's degree and a PhD specialization. This intrinsically interdisciplinary Program is housed within the OSU Department of Art Education, a leader in its field, and works in collaboration with the well-respected School of Public Policy and management. The Program pursued a three-part focus that includes curriculum, research and collaboration. The M.A. in Arts Policy and Administration degree program seeks to education cultural policy makers and administrators who can contribute significantly to the formulation, clarification, and cohesion of more informed, sophisticated, and effective public arts and cultural policies. Ph.D candidates specializing in cultural policy continue their studies in preparation for careers in academia, research, and/or administrative roles in higher education, nonprofit arts organizations, public arts agencies, and arts service organizations.

In developing its research priorities, APA-OSU is committed to a trio of research interests in the broad field of cultural policy. These interests concern: (1) cultural policymaking processes and dynamics, (2) interrelations among the various components of the creative sector--nonprofit, commercial and informal, and (3) comparative perspectives--intergovernmental, inter-sectoral, and international.

The APA-OSU Program has undertaken research projects in collaboration with the Ohio Arts Council, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the American Assembly, the Center for Arts and Culture, and Americans for the Arts. The Program issues a series of occasional Papers which include distinguished public lectures delivered at OSU, research-in-progress reports, and other topics likely to be of interest to the scholarly and policy communities. These are available at the Program's website.

The Program awards a set of four two-years Barnett Fellowships to exceptional students. These Fellowships provide tuition, fees and a monthly stipend.