Cases in the Classroom

The Wallace Foundation has made it possible for a variety of arts organizations to experiment with diversifying their current audience mix; converting people who are inclined to attend, but don’t, into attendees; getting current audience members to attend more often, and more. These transformative explorations, captured in a series of case studies available in the Wallace Foundation Knowledge Center, provide great benefit to the arts administration classroom.

In a series of multimedia projects, AAAE has created content that facilitates the utilization of Wallace’s resources in the classroom. As arts organizations create change through data-driven strategy, students in AAAE programs can build their own professional foundations informed by the work made possible by The Wallace Foundation.

A collection of free downloadable PDFs developed by AAAE to facilitate using Wallace cases in the higher education classroom. Please be sure to sign into the AAAE Member Portal first before viewing the following case studies.

Key Themes & Subject Areas

Over the past three years, AAAE member organizations have hosted student forums across the country with Wallace-supported organizations in the process of reimagining their approaches to audience development. At Seattle University, students heard from the Pacific Northwest Ballet. At the University of Michigan, the University Music Society presented to students from several area AAAE member schools on their research. These candid conversations with industry leaders allowed students to see “behind the curtain” as audience development work took place in real time. Special thanks to Seattle University, DePaul University, Drexel University, The University of Minnesota, The University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University for their participation in these events. Archives of select events are available below: