Southern Methodist University

Arts Administration Graduate Program

Meadows School of the Arts
PO Box 750356
Dallas, TX 75275-0356
United States
Main Phone: 214/768-3425
Main E-Mail: arad@smu.edu

Degree/Credential: Graduate (MA/MBA)
Web Site: http://www.smu.edu/meadows/artsadmin/

Program Director: GWarden [link available to AAAE members only]

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Program Goals and Objectives

The Arts Administration program requires students to enroll for two graduate degrees concurrently - the only program of this kind in the U.S. Students receive an MA, Arts Administration from the Meadows School of the Arts and an MBA from the Edwin L. Cox School of Business. The SMU program in Business and Arts Administration is based upon the philosophy that a successful career in arts management requires a thorough knowledge of contemporary business practices coupled with a deep appreciation for the arts.

Today, more than ever, there is both a need and a demand for skilled and resourceful administrators and managers in leadership roles in the arts. As arts organizations face increased financial and competitive pressures, it is important for them to have savvy business professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the arts at the helm.

Our innovative combination of courses in both business and the arts, as well as internships and intensive experience with arts organizations and their particular challenges, creates graduates who are well-prepared to hold leadership positions in arts, entertainment, education and non-profit organizations around the world.

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Administration of the Program

The dual degree course of study was begun in 1981. The Division of Arts Administration is housed in the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University with students also enrolled as full-time MBA students in the Edwin L. Cox School of Business.

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Curriculum

Students are required to complete 75 hours (27 hours in Meadows School of the Arts and 48 hours in Edwin L. Cox School of Business) over a 21-month period. Course work begins in late August and continues for five terms, segmented into two Modules each. The third term (summer of the first year) is spent fulfilling the internship requirement. A project paper is required at the completion of the internship. Fall term of year two offers the opportunity to study at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy.

Courses:
Financial Accounting
Managerial Finance
Managerial Economics
Managerial Statistics
Management Decision Analysis
Managerial Communication Skills
Managing Your Career
Financial Accounting II or Managerial Accounting II
Nonprofit Marketing
Operations Management
Organizational Behavior
Global Leadership Program
Strategic Management
Business electives
Introduction to Arts Management
Strategic Planning in the Arts
Law and the Arts
Audience Development & Marketing in The Arts
Fundraising in the Arts
Technology and the Arts
Nonprofit Financial Management
Independent Study: In-depth Industry Exploration
Capstone
Two-three terms of Practica
Arts Administration Internship

As part of the MBA curriculum and to increase awareness of our global economy, students participate in a required three-week course combining classroom instruction and a two-week field research trip to one of three regions of the world: Asia, Europe or Latin America. Further international study is possible.

Underlying the academic program is an appreciation for the "practical" nature of arts administration. Because preserving and presenting quality arts experiences calls for skilled and strategic management, students are required to participate in practica at Dallas-area art organizations and a full-time summer internship in Dallas or elsewhere in the United States. These practical, hands-on experiences allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real situations, and are a highly valued element of the MA/MBA experience.

Full time interns have been placed at such organizations as Arena Stage, Washington, DC; San Francisco Opera; Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York; Lyric Opera of Chicago; Walt Disney Theatrical Productions; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; The Art Institute of Chicago and The Philadelphia Orchestra.

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Admissions

To enter the joint-degree program, you must be admitted to both the Cox School of Business and the Meadows School of the Arts. Admission criteria emphasize previous arts training and experience. Central to a successful career in arts administration is a strong personal commitment to the development and perpetuation of high-level artistic activities. You must demonstrate such a commitment, either through an undergraduate or advanced degree in an arts field or a degree in another field combined with significant academic, professional, or personal experience in the arts. In addition, you should demonstrate strong academic capabilities; leadership potential and interpersonal and communication skills; and personal qualities such as maturity, integrity, self-confidence, and motivation. Greater preference will be given to those applicants who have had professional experience after their undergraduate education, although professional experience is not required.

While these guidelines are very important, flexibility is maintained, consistent with the University’s overall admission policies.

On an objective basis, applicants to the program are judged on the result of the required Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the applicant’s undergraduate experience and academic achievement. Applications are accepted online on a rolling basis. Specific application requirements can be found on the Cox School Web site. All qualified applicants being given serious consideration for admission must be interviewed by the division chair and the MBA Admissions Office. All students begin the course of study in the fall due to the sequence of required courses. To request application materials, contact:

Division of Arts Administration
Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750356
Dallas TX 75275-0356
Telephone: (214) 768-3425
Facsimile: (214) 768-4888
E-Mail: arad@smu.edu
Web: www.smu.edu/meadows/artsadmin