Arts Administration

MajorBachelor of Science

Making the Arts Your Business.

Whether it’s through marketing, programming, ticket sales, operations, or fundraising, arts administrators provide the crucial infrastructure necessary to bring the arts to the public. One of the oldest and most comprehensive undergraduate programs in the nation, Butler’s Arts Administration program combines in-depth study of a chosen art form along with classes in business, nonprofit management, and communication to prepare students for the many varied opportunities in a career advocating in the arts.

As a student in this program, you can choose from concentrations in Art, Art History, General, Music, or Theatre. You will also complete at least two required internships in addition to volunteer experience in the arts world.

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Program Information

Curriculum

The Arts Administration program is integrated into our community and within other colleges at Butler. Students take classes in business, communication, the arts, and more, preparing our students to become innovators, connectors, and leaders in their fields and communities. Sample courses in this program include:

AA 301 – Principles and Practices of Arts Administration
AA 330 – Venue Management
AA 390 – Leadership and Artistic Vision
AA 410 – Marketing the Arts
AA 415 – Fundraising for the Arts
AA 420 – Financial Management
LE 263 – Legal Environment of Business
STR 128 – Promotional Writing I
STR 222 – Principles of Strategic Communication

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Concentrations

Art
Art History
General
Music
Theatre

The Butler Advantage.

Through our faculty, curriculum, and experiential learning, we provide our students with opportunities that are diverse in thought, scope, and culture with a focus on community:

Understand the purposes, values, and essential operations of non-profit arts organizations and demonstrate this knowledge in practical applications.

Communicate how experiences inside and outside the classroom have shaped personal development and career aspirations.

Communicate coherently, effectively, and creatively in both written and oral formats.

Demonstrate an understanding of the creative process and how art and artists function in society.

Develop an expansive and inclusive world view of arts and culture that values different global perspectives, identities, concerns, and goals.

Meet Your Faculty

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Brenda Johnston

Associate Professor of Arts Administration and Department Chair
Arts Administration – JCA

Brenda Lee Johnston received her Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management with an emphasis in Dance and a minor in Theatre Arts—Drama from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She held an internship in the Marketing and Public Relations…
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Lewis Ricci

Instructor of Arts Administration
Arts Administration – JCA

In 2021, Lewis retired as the executive director of the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), a position he held since 2006. Under Ricci’s leadership, the IAC was recognized as a national leader with groundbreaking work in emerging artist development,…
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