Arts Management Concentration FAQ

Training and knowledge for managers, artists, performers and arts enthusiasts who wish to pursue professional activities or careers related to managing, producing or advancing the cultural arts.

Performance and institutional arts organizations, including museums and art galleries, symphonies and musical groups, theatres, and dance companies; in community or regional centers for the arts; in government, corporate, and foundation agencies that are concerned with the development of the arts.

Arts administrators most often work in the nonprofit sector and the program we offer reflects this model. The U.S. nonprofit arts industry employs more than 5 million full-time persons and there are more than 30,000 nonprofit arts organizations in U.S. However, there are many aspects in the field that can be helpful to those wishing to pursue work in the for-profit sector, such as working in artist management, in the music industry, commercial theatre, dance schools, and commercial art galleries. The coursework in arts management can be helpful to artists and performers to learn skills that can help them better manage their own artistic careers.

The demands of the arts manager has grown more sophisticated (beyond connoisseurship), thereby demanding formalized training. The best preparation for a career in arts management is an academic background enhanced by practical, professional experience. However, most arts administrators learned "on the job" and only 20% of working professionals ever completed coursework in arts management at the undergraduate college level. Goucher is among only a handful of schools in the U.S. who offer a packaged program of courses for undergraduates.

Goucher currently offers a Concentration in Arts Management (which is a designation a few credits less than a MINOR). The concentration is seven courses/21 credits total: three core courses in Arts Management (BUS 170, 270, 375); three courses in Business Management (BUS 110, 120, 229); and one course in Economics (EC 100). 

All three core courses feature several guest speakers of working arts administrators, which helps to reinforce learning from text and lectures and connects them to working professionals. A hallmark of the program is that the learning is often based on real-life samples and from case studies of existing organizations. The assignments are real-life applications of work that arts administrators do, such as writing or creating mission statements, fundraising letters, budgets, business plan/grant proposals, and organizational assessment or evaluations.

Any undergraduate student enrolled at Goucher may take one, two, or all three core courses in Arts Management (BUS 170, 270, 375); these are done in a sequence. However, in order to complete the program as a designated concentration, you must major in an art form. The courses in the arts (Art, Dance, Music, or Theatre) provide a solid foundation in an art form. Students must complete their artistic major that covers both historical/theoretical and studio work.

That's fine and is an excellent way to build more comprehensive management and business skills. Some students complete their major in an art form, add the concentration and also pursue either a minor or a major in Business Management as well. Only those completing a major in the Arts, however, are eligible for the official designation of Concentration in Arts Management.

Internships are a terrific way to explore the field and define your own career goals. Students have extensive opportunities for rewarding internships. Goucher is strategically located, with access to numerous arts organizations in the Baltimore-Washington area as well as in New York and other cities. Many students complete arts-related internships for college credit; most are done on a volunteer basis but some opportunities may pay wages or offer a stipend. Some complete their internship during a semester while in Baltimore, in summers in Baltimore, "at home," or elsewhere.

Our students have been employed or completed internships with organizations such as the Baltimore Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Ballet, Peabody Conservatory of Music, Wide Angle Youth Media, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Joy of Motion Dance Center, New York City Ballet, Young Audiences of Maryland, Center Stage, Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, Baltimore Clayworks, National Gallery of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver, National Music Festival, and dozens more. Several students have started their own nonprofits or have attended graduate school, including programs at Goucher, Columbia University, the Pratt Institute, Roehampton University and Sotheby's in London.

Yes! While our program is rooted in the American model, we are committed to expanding global perspectives wherever possible. Arts Management students have completed internships in countries such as Australia, Brazil, and Greece. Others have studied abroad for a full semester in locations including Italy, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Australia, or participated in Goucher’s 3-week Intensive Courses Abroad—such as performing arts programs in Scotland and France.

To explore current international opportunities related to Arts Management, visit our Study Abroad Programs Portal.

The Concentration is 21 credits (7, three-credit courses) in addition to the arts major requirements, which is typically an additional minimum of 27 credits. Please note that each department's requirements vary, however some offer reduced credits within the arts major to accommodate the additional Arts Management courses. Please refer to the academic catalogue within your major for more details.

The Introductory class, BUS 170, is offered every Spring; the second course BUS 270, is offered every Fall; and the capstone seminar, BUS 375, is offered every Spring. These courses must be done in a sequence. There are seven courses total; most students are able to take two courses relating to the concentration per semester. It is recommended to take BUS 170 either as a freshman or a sophomore and begin the Economics and Accounting courses no earlier than your sophomore year. At minimum, you would need to start by spring of your junior year in order to complete the 3 core courses (170 in spring of junior year; 270 in fall of senior year, and 375 in spring of senior year).

In order to complete the 21-credit CONCENTRATION:

Three core courses:

• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 170: Introduction to Arts Management
• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 270: Case Studies in Arts Management
• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 375: Strategic Leadership for the Arts Administrator

PLUS

• ECONOMICS 100 (Introduction to Economics) OR ECONOMICS 101 (Micro Economics)
• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 110 (Principles of Accounting I)
• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 120 (Principles of Accounting 2)
• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 229 (Marketing Management)

This, of course, depends on your interests, professional ambitions, and strengths. Other courses recommended include BUS 105 (Quantitative Reasoning for Business), BUS 245 (Organizational Behavior), BUS 247 (Introduction to Human Resource Management), CBL 115 (Gateway to Service), and THE 105 (Effective Public Speaking) Other frequently recommended courses include Advertising and Public Relations; Community Development courses in Peace Studies and/or Service-based Learning, or additional Business courses such as Financial Management or Investments.

Contact Becky Free, Department Chair and Associate Professor, at becky.free@goucher.edu