ATLANTA—A new path is available in the College of the Arts to students ready to become next-generation movers and shakers in the visual and performing arts industries. The new Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Arts Administration integrates artistic practice with contemporary industry knowledge, led by faculty with real-world expertise to position prospective students as experts and community leaders in their fields.
The arts are among the most highly-impactful industries in communities across the country—their influence on our society and culture, immeasurable. This degree prepares graduates to take on leadership roles in galleries, theatres, concert halls, opera houses and other arts organizations, especially in the non-profit sector, as the driving force behind vibrant, innovative institutions.
With study tracks across arts administration disciplines, Studio Art, Art History, Music and Theatre, students can pursue their own creative interests while also taking courses in non-profit management, marketing and business communication—developing broadly marketable skills as undergraduates that will translate to a number of career opportunities in a diverse and dynamic field.
“We designed the Arts Administration program for students interested in working for arts organizations – and potentially starting new ones,” said Dr. Maria Gindhart, Associate Dean of the College of the Arts. “As the arts industries increasingly grow into major economic drivers for our local Atlanta community and beyond, we’re preparing graduates for leadership and entrepreneurial roles in which their own creative expertise and skills in management and marketing meet.”
Students in the program learn from creative faculty who are active practitioners in their own fields and industry professionals with direct ties to the local and regional arts communities. Students also have an opportunity to begin building their own professional relationships through internships with local arts organizations, such as the High Museum of Art, the Rialto Center for the Arts and the Out Front Theatre Company, as well as make connections through artist-led collectives and community initiatives.
The B.I.S. degree with a Concentration in Arts Administration is currently accepting students who are looking for the best of both worlds—exploring their own artistic practice while preparing to become professional leaders in the arts.