Goucher College

Arts Administration Program

Welch Center for Graduate and Professional Studies
1021 Dulaney Valley Road
Baltimore, MD 21204-2794
United States
Main Phone: 410/337-6200
Main E-Mail: center@goucher.edu

Degree/Credential: Graduate (MA in Arts Administration)
Web Site: http://www.goucher.edu/maaa

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

Program Goals and Objectives

Goucher College's Master of Arts in Arts Administration provides professional nonprofit arts administrators living anywhere the opportunity to deepen and advance their knowledge and credentials while remaining in their current work and home location. This limited residency, distance learning program provides coursework in all areas of theory and practice essential to leaders in the arts community. This program prepares students for careers in nonprofit arts organizations of all types including arts producers and presenters, arts educators, arts councils, and other community-based work.

The program's emphasis is on a combination of critical background and practical skills needed to be an effective nonprofit arts manager. The program emphasizes the place of the arts in the community and the contribution the arts make to society. Faculty are drawn from among the country's most experienced and most distinguished practitioners in the field.

This program primarily serves working professionals seeking to increase their knowledge and skills without having to change jobs, move to a new location, or commute to classes.

The limited residency distance learning model is unique among Arts Administration graduate degrees. Each summer, students attend an intensive two-week residency on Goucher's beautiful Baltimore campus, during which time they begin one course, and meet with instructors for the courses they will take during the coming academic year. The remainder of the coursework is completed remotely from each student's home base, utilizing the latest distance learning technologies and techniques. Most faculty require a weekly meeting, either online or by telephone conference, and academic requirements are rigorous.

Administration of the Program

The Master of Arts in Arts Administration is one of three distance learning masters degrees offered by Goucher College, based in the Welch Center for Graduate & Professional Studies. The Director and MAAA program work in conjunction with Goucher’s other graduate and professional programs. Goucher's MAAA program is supported by an Advisory Committee composed of a wide array of professionals representing the diversity of the arts administration field (complete list available on program's website).

Curriculum

A total of 43 credits is required to complete the degree. The typical student completes her/his degree in three to four years of part time study.

The program has 31 credits in required courses, six credits selected from among five three-credit electives, and a capstone internship and major paper.
Required courses include Principles of Arts Administration, Writing for the Arts Administrator, Leadership & Strategic Thinking, Financial Management for the Arts, Public Relations and Marketing the Arts, Developing Financial Resources, Law and the Arts, Public Policy for the Arts, Cultural Ecosystem: The Arts in Community, Human Resources Management, Grantsmanship from A to Z, and the Internship and Major Paper. Students choose from among the following electives: Managing Performing Arts Organizations, Managing Visual Arts Organizations, Planning and Managing New Ventures in the Arts, Arts in Education, and Directed Reading. The Internship is a supervised experience in a cultural organization, during which the student may deepen existing skills and knowledge, or branch out into a new area of expertise. The Internship project must be a minimum of 90 hours of work, and make a contribution to the host organization.

The program requires a Major Paper, which is based on a combination of research and reading in the field, and may utilize experiences gained or research conducted during the Internship. Students defend their Major Paper during an oral defense, typically in their fourth and final summer.

The faculty are drawn from among the most experienced professionals working in the field of arts administration. Brief biographies of our faculty may be found on our website.

Admissions

Applications are due in March of each year, with entering classes formed in May for a program start during the following summer, typically beginning in late July or early August. All new students must begin the program with a summer residency.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and at least two years of experience in the field of arts administration.

An online application for admission in the following year is available each fall, or contact us at any time to be added to the mailing list. To request application materials, call 800-697-4646, or 410-337-6200 in the Baltimore area, or email us at center@goucher.edu.

Please see www.goucher.edu/maaa for full information.

Posted by RBaker on Fri, 12/14/2007 - 02:03