Visitors look around the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center Gallery during a student art show

Arts Administration Major

Mission Statement

The Arts Administration major provides a focused arts and business curriculum to develop employable skill sets necessary to produce and support artistic endeavors and gives value-added experience to students intending to work in non-profit business, specifically in businesses that focus on producing the arts. The wide range of subjects studied encompasses the liberal arts ideal of many disciplines making up the whole, while teaching collaboration and critical thinking. The Arts Administration major complements a variety of majors on campus, including but not limited to Music, Theatre, and Studio Art.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Understanding the Arts: To demonstrate an understanding of the artistic literacy of the eras, genres, movements, and historical events pertinent to Art or Music or Theatre, and be able to identify key artists, composers, and/or playwrights and their significant works.

2. Writing: To polish with professional competence business communications, e.g. letters, emails, grant writing, fund-raising appeals, PR and advertising copy, and program notes.

3. Communication: To demonstrate knowledge of the manner in which communication creates, maintains, and transforms relationships and the ability to engage in effective and productive relational communication.

4. Business: To demonstrate knowledge of basic definitions, concepts and relationships in the core areas of management, marketing, and finance.

5. Creating the Arts: To gain an understanding of and empathy for those participating in and creating an art form.

Student Stories

Photo of Patricia Lillenthal smiling into the camera
Patricia Lilienthal

Patricia Lilienthal – Class of 2018 – History Collections Coordinator, Exhibit Designer, and Administrative Assistant at the Freeborn County Historical

Read More »

Entry into the Major

Students should declare Art Administration as their intended major by the end of their first semester sophomore year by filing a Declaration of Major form with the Registrar. The student’s advisor should be from the Music, Theatre, or Studio Arts Department, corresponding to the student’s main interest(s). While intended as a stand-alone major, the Arts Administration major will frequently be completed as part of a double major with one of these three disciplines. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.8 or above in required and elective coursework for the major. Students must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.

The major in Arts Administration requires: 

Choose two of the following (6 credits):

Choose two of the following Writing courses (6 credits): 

Choose two of the following Communication courses (6 credits):

Choose two of the following Business courses (6 credits):

Choose two of the following ARTS Courses: (6 credits)

Arts Administration Minor

The minor in Arts Administration requires: 

Choose one ARTS or MUSC or THTR courses (3 credits):

Choose one of the following Writing courses (3 credits): 

Choose one of the following Communication courses (3 credits):

Choose one of the following Business courses (3 credits):

Choose one of the following ARTS Courses (3 Credits): 

To view the most recent course list and requirements for the arts administration major, please consult the Academic Catalog.

Next Steps

Interested in studying at Bethany? Scheduling a campus visit is a great way to see what we have to offer. You can meet professors or sit in on a class too! Contact our admissions office to learn more.