Performing Arts Career Help?

Question

I have just finished my Bachelor's in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and concentration in Theater and want to begin pursuing my Graduate Degree. I eventually would like to get into entertainment programming for a University or Performing Arts Center. I am hoping that some of you in the field can help guide me in what the best Graduate program would be to help me reach this goal. Thank you for any help you can provide me with.

Answer 1

Without more detailed information about your career goals, it is difficult to give you specific schools. What I can offer is a short list of very fine schools that offer graduate work in Performing Arts Management and Adminsitration. The New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development offers a masters in Performing Arts Administration. George Mason Universtiy in Fairfax, VA offers a MA in Arts Management and they have a certificate program in Arts Entrepreneurship (hope I spelled that right). Universty of Wisconsin at Madison has a graduate program in Arts Administration as well. If you want to pursue a graduate degree on a part-time basis, check out the Boston University Metropolitan College which offers a graduate degree in Arts Management.

You can access a list of institutions with graduate programs in Arts Management at http://www.artsadministration.org/grad (The Association of Arts Adminstration Educators) as well. When you look for a school, be sure to choose one with a strong music and/or theatre program and, if possible, schools located in or near large urban centers with a number of performing arts venues. Good luck with your search. I am sure there are other schools with strong programs that are not members of AAAE, but it's a good place to start.

Lastly, if you have a specific interest in programming, have a look at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Emerging Leader Institute: http://www.artspresenters.org/services/e...

Hey... if even you are not quite ready this year, it's something for you to shoot for, right?

Good luck with your graduate studies!