Arts Administration
What is Arts Administration? Leverage Skills in the Arts and Management at Elon University
Arts administration shapes culture and cultural policy by the strategic development of arts programs, organizations, and creative careers. The Arts Administration Program at Elon empowers students to put this integrative knowledge of human care and business tactics into practice to serve artists, audiences, and other stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives.
We prepare students for careers in the creative sector with a commitment to connecting art and public life to create inclusive communities.
Career preparation in the Arts Administration Program serves two often overlapping types of
students:
- Artists who want self-reliant careers through better market analysis, self-promotion and
financial management. - Arts leaders who seek jobs in existing organizations in the creative sector or who wish to
start their own new arts ventures.
Simply put, arts administration is the business of the business. Studying non-profit and commercial arts management, new venture creation, the legal and ethical concerns of the arts and entertainment industries, and arts leadership, arts admin is a celebration of all arts industries and disciplines.
Combining Artistry and Management Skills Seamlessly
Elon’s arts administration major aims to provide the best undergraduate experience possible for students interested in pursuing this field of study by building on strong interdisciplinary connections, requiring an internship and preparing global citizens. Coursework required to complete the arts administration degree include 20 hours of core classes, participation in over 20 majors or minors offered in art, art history, music or performing arts, and 20 hours of management classes or a business minor.
The combination of interdisciplinary coursework and internship experiences results in a major that is very attractive as a double-major to complement another program in arts or business.
Hands-On Experience
Arts administration focuses on connecting and supporting artists, audiences, and community stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. The curriculum focuses on scaffolded applied learning, e.g. students will learn how to write mission statements in the introductory course and then apply that knowledge in the creation of a new venture in their intermediate courses and use that combined knowledge to write grant applications in their advanced coursework. The curriculum concludes with a senior seminar experience dedicated to
career development and a capstone project based on the student’s major interests and career
goals.
Broad Foundation of Training and Mentorship
Arts administration faculty are successful arts leaders who are published in multiple books and journals but whose primary focus is teaching. The professors mentor students each year for either independent research or Elon College Fellows projects. In addition, students participating in internships are directly mentored by arts administration faculty. Click on the photos below to learn more about the faculty.
In addition, majors have direct access to accomplished faculty in over 20 arts majors and minors as well as professors in the Love School of Business. Elon’s Arts Administration Program is an institutional member of the international Association of Arts Administration Educators and utilizes the Standards for Arts Administration Undergraduate Curriculum to ensure that all graduates are fully prepared for the field.
After Graduation
We envision a fearless, self-sustaining, civically-engaged global arts community. We want to position Elon students and graduates at the forefront of the next generation of arts leaders and cultural entrepreneurs to build this community.
Recent graduates have worked at Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte Ballet, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Christie’s Auctions, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, KMR Talent Agency, New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, New York City Ballet, Sony Pictures, and arts organizations that are just now launching!