The University of Akron Arts Administration master's program is designed to
prepare students for successful careers in all disciplines of the non-profit
arts. The strength of the program lies in a commitment to balancing theoretical
study in the classroom with an application through practical experiences and
internships.

The University of Akron founded its graduate program leading to a Master of Arts
(M.A.) degree in Theatre Arts with an option in Arts Administration in 1980.

Today, the program is housed in the School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts
Administration in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, welcoming students
from a variety of artistic, educational, and professional backgrounds.

The M.A. in Arts Administration is awarded after the successful completion of a
minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework including the completion of
a professional internship experience, and the acceptance of a written thesis or
project. The curriculum provides students with a philosophical base for decision-
making and planning, as well as a comprehensive range of techniques for
working effectively in the field.

Although core courses are offered by Arts Administration faculty, an essential
part of the Arts Administration master's program is the selection of courses
in management, marketing and finance.

Arts Administration Curriculum

First Year

Arts Administration Core Courses
Principles of Arts Administration - 3 credits
Principles and practices in non-profit arts management, including organizational structure,
function of boards, personnel and volunteer management, and public policy for the arts.
Research and Writing Techniques - 3 credits
Exploration of basic research tools and methods appropriate to the discipline, including
utilization of databases and guidelines for writing master's thesis.
Arts Administration Policies and Practices - 3 credits
Financial management of the arts, facilities management, presenting performances, touring, and unique management problems in non-profit dance and theatre companies, orchestras, and museums.
Legal Aspects of Arts Administration - 3 credits
Legal responsibilities and liabilities of an arts organization, contracts, copyright law, insurance, taxation, artists’ rights, personnel law, and labor law.
Internship - 3-6 credits
Faculty supervised work experience in which student participates in an arts management,
performance, or technical situation with a selected cultural organization. Most often taken during the summer.

Second Year

Arts Administration Core Courses
Fundraising and Grantsmanship in the Arts - 3 credits
Techniques and execution of a development campaign for individuals, corporations, foundations, federal and state grants, and endowment, including research and proposal writing.
Audience Development - 3 credits
Developing audiences for the arts through arts marketing techniques, including season and single ticket campaigns, promotional strategies, media/public relations, and market research.
Colloquium on the Arts - 3 credits
A brief exploration of the major visual and performing art forms and organizations examined in relationship to the business management of arts.
Master's Thesis/Project - 3-6 credits
Research related to completion of master’s thesis or project.
Note: (If the student chooses to write a thesis, its 6 credits; a project can range from 3-6 credits)

Additional Requirements
Flexible Business Courses
Business Courses - (6-9) total credits
Arts Administration students select business-style courses in:
- Management - 3 credits
- Marketing - 3 credits and/or
- Finance - 3 credits
Course selections are made according to each student's unique career goal and are most
often from the College of Business, School of Communication, Public Administration and Urban Studies.

Professionally Connect with an Internship

Each student spends several weeks—often the summer between the first and second
years—acquiring practical experience and mentoring in a professional arts organization.
To name a few, recent internship hosts have included:
- Lincoln Center
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Cleveland Orchestra
- Warhol Museum
- Sante Fe Opera
- National Youth Orchestra
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Neos Dance Theatre
- Ballet in the City
- GroundWorks DanceTheatre
- Canton and Massillon Museums
- Stagecrafters Youth Theatre
- Porthouse Theatre
- Akron Civic Theatre

Requirements for Admission
- The following are general requirements for admission to the Master of Arts in Arts
Administration program:
- Bachelor degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- Undergraduate GPA above 2.7
- GRE is NOT required
- Note for International Students
- International students must submit TOEFL scores along with the application.
- Note for Students Lacking Requirements:
If you do not meet these requirements you still may be able to gain admission. Contact
James Slowiak, Coordinator of Arts Administration Program to discuss your options
and/or additional requirements.