Arts Management

ARTS MANAGEMENT focus within the MLS

 The Twin Cities area is rich in its collection of art museums, live performance theaters, galleries, and artist cooperatives, yet the metro area lacks college course work to prepare managers for positions of leadership within these arenas.  An effective manager needs a unique set of skills for the arts environment: knowledge of development, financial management, marketing, negotiation and collaborating with public and private sectors, and strategic planning, to name a few.   

The MLS is partnering with the Department of Theatre and Dance in the College of Liberal Arts and with the Nonprofit Management Program of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs to offer an Arts Management focus within the MLS.  Students choose course work from the Liberal Studies/Innovation Studies curriculum and the Nonprofit Management certificate to create their own interdisciplinary program; possible course work includes:  

  • Three core courses in Public Affairs/Nonprofit Management
                PA 5003 Introduction to Financial Analysis and Management
                PA 5251 Strategic Planning and Management
                PA 5101 Management and Governance of Nonprofit Organizations
  • Arts Management
                TH 5718  Principles of Arts Management (Theatre Management)
                TH 5780 Advanced Topics in Arts Management
  • Liberal Studies/Innovation Studies Seminars (a sampling is listed below)
                LS 5100 Leadership and Change
                LS 5100 Resonant Notes and Ideas: Music, Art, Economics, and Politics
                LS 5100 Art in Cultural Context
                LS 5100 Arts and Innovation:  Crossing Boundaries
                LS/IS 5100 Creativity, Imagination, and Innovation
  • Other
                 MUS 5950 Creating a Life in Music
                 ENGL 5090  Grant Writing and Development
  • Museum Studies minor courses
                MST 5011 Museum History and Philosophy
                MST 5012 Museum Practices

Students may earn the Nonprofit Management certificate and/or the Museum Studies minor while earning their MLS degree.  We are in the process of creating internships and additional course work, as well as working with area foundations, etc., to seek grants and other funding to help create fellowship and assistantship opportunities. 

 

  • Internship

 LS 5993, TH 5993, PA 5993 -Students do semester-long internships with local/regional/or national arts organizations to gain practical experience and application opportunities.  For contact information, Sherry Wagner-Henry at swh@umn.edu

  • Arts Issues Seminar/Workshop (under development)

 Each semester explore a relevant issue with guest speakers--i.e., arts policy, audience building, arts development and fundraising, board relations, arts and economic impact, arts and education policy, etc.

For more information, contact Jo Ellen Lundblad at 612-625-3898 or lundb002@umn.edu

Helpful Links

Nonprofit Management
Public Affairs
Theatre
Liberal Studies
Innovation Studies
Museum Studies