Entrepreneurship in the Arts (Online)

Students learn and practice creative thinking, ideation, and business planning; and embark on an exploration of both commercial and nonprofit entity models, their governance/organizational structures, and funding mechanisms. Students explore and shape innovative creative ideas, learn how to develop and mold them into feasible forms, and build business plans for their new enterprises.

Credits: 3

Students build the skills one needs to be an entrepreneur in an increasingly competitive environment by assessing their personal management tactics, developing their communication styles and needs, learning how to personally organize for success, and building skills and strategies to maximize effectiveness. Human resources principles and laws, governance, effective negotiations, decision making, and managing change are also covered.

Credits: 3

A study of fundraising and philanthropy for the nonprofit sector, which includes soliciting charitable donations from individuals and seeking grants, and capital formation for commercial entities, which includes issues of self-financing, bank loans, and investors. Focusing on relationship fundraising and research techniques for identifying prospects, this course also explores the rapidly expanding world of crowdfunding and digital fundraising.

Credits: 3

Covers accounting principles, procedures, and internal controls; forecasting, balance-sheet analysis, and budgeting procedures; financial reporting for both nonprofit and commercial entities; and the development of pro forma budgets for start-up enterprises.

Credits: 3

A series of highly successful entrepreneurs from all aspects of the arts, both commercial and nonprofit, and from a variety of art forms, are presented in an interview/interaction format. Students analyze case studies and then develop comparative papers and projects that assist them in shaping their own ideas in entity creation.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: AMG5005

Examine the histories and meanings of public art from interdisciplinary perspectives. How does artistic expression intersect with public planning to cultivate civic space and democratic participation? Coursework explores how artists, urban planners and architects of the built environment come together to inform the publics, engage in civics, and create public realms that reflect diverse communities of belonging.

Credits: 3

A survey of the theory and practice of planning and evaluation as they relate to arts programs. Topics include the development of critical issues, goals, strategies, outcomes research planning, and protocol development.

Credits: 3

Students explore communication, collaboration, creativity, and flexibility as the hallmarks of effective management practices, disrupting hidden assumptions and entrenched biases. Coursework critically examines organizational and leadership theory in intercultural perspective to reimagine ethical approaches that are inclusive, adaptive, and transformative. Students explore how to lead and manage enterprises across industries and global landscapes, using critical theories (feminist, race, queer, indigenous).  

Credits: 3

Using a hands-on approach, this course explores digital marketing campaigns in the arts. Topics include Facebook, Twitter, blogging, microblogging, video and photo sharing, search engine optimization (SEO), mobile/location-based platforms, virtual realities, and social media integration, strategies, and tactics. Viral theories, trends, and case studies are also explored.

Credits: 3

This course continues the work from Start-Up Capital Formation, but expounds on learning and experience from weekly guest lecturers with specialized funding and investment focuses. This course will build on the knowledge gained in the first year of the program and provide a more in-depth and real-world exposure to a range of commercial and non-commercial funders.

Credits: 3

Presents legal issues that have an impact on entity creation and maintenance in the arts and culture sectors. Issues include copyright and fair use, contracts, patents and trademarks, employment, ethics, and compliance. Students identify and express an understanding of legal issues in crucial areas of the law that affect arts management, arts professionals, and the arts generally.

Credits: 3

An introduction to fundamental legal and business concepts that affect artists and arts managers, with an emphasis on copyright protection and infringement. Students learn the basics of copyright and contract law, analyzing both contracts and case law relevant to the creative industries. Additional course topics include privacy, defamation, moral rights, and free speech protection.

Credits: 3

The most successful arts-based enterprises require collaborations with public and private sectors in diverse fields, including healthcare, education, community development, and social justice. To find relevance in an increasingly competitive world that demands evidence and results, students learn how to structure projects that transcend the insular art world and strengthen the places where people live, work, and play.

Credits: 3

Examines nonprofit fundraising and capital formation for commercial entities, including the rapidly expanding world of crowdfunding and digital fundraising, with focus on relationship building and techniques for identifying sources of both earned and contributed revenue. Students learn accounting principles and financial reporting for both nonprofit and commercial entities and develop pro forma budgets for startup creative enterprises.

Credits: 3

Students explore the creative process by envisioning and developing a visual or performing arts project. Participants build innovative and critical thinking skills while applying basic principles and practices of arts management including fund development and marketing needed to connect and sustain their ventures in today’s challenging marketplace. The course culminates with a public presentation of individual and team projects.

Credits: 3

In the capstone project for the program, students create an entity that is a demonstration of readiness and capacity to engage responsibly and creatively in his or her profession. Students’ projects will exhibit discernable innovation; thorough and research-grounded market feasibility testing; and a concomitant business plan that, among its elements illustrates how capital will be amassed for initial implementation.

Credits: 3

Exploring the exhibition within new museology, students are introduced to key concepts and practices in museum and exhibition interpretation. Coursework examines the history of exhibitions, what it means to be “exhibition literate,” and how interpretive meaning is inscribed onto museum objects or exhibition content. Students gain hands-on collaborative experience creating interpretation for an exhibition.

Credits: 3

Provides an overview of fundamental concepts and strategies necessary to build diverse audiences for a variety of arts experience. Topics include market research, audience segmentation, and application of the “4 P’s” of marketing strategy in an arts context. Students develop the knowledge and communication skills to conceive, develop and report a strategic plan to promote an arts event or business.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: AMG5005