EMU Today

YPSILANTI --  Eastern Michigan Univrsity is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Arts Management & Administration program. The celebration began on June 8, with an event that brought back more than 40 alumni of the program to the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti.

Innovation has always been at the center of Eastern Michigan University’s Arts Management & Administration Programs. In 1978, Eastern Michigan was one of the very first institutions of higher education to create a major in Arts Management.

Prior to 1965, the year the National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress, only four states operated arts funding agencies. By 1980, with the NEA as a catalyst, there were more than 3,000 local arts councils, a quarter of which were organized as units of local government while the remaining three quarters were formed as nonprofit organizations.  This development would significantly create a powerful need for a skilled workforce to manage these new arts organizations.

Professor Ken Stevens established the arts management major in the department of communications and theater arts in 1978. He led it led it until his retirement in 2014 – for 36 years. Professor Susan Badger Booth is now at the helm.

Professor Booth said, "The major was designed for students who already have considerable experiencein interest the arts. It builds on that experience to add an education focused on the business of the arts in all disciplines, its governance, management, promotion, finance and relationship to the community.  Studies include coursework in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business to equip students with research, analytical, creative problem solving, managerial and aesthetic skills."

The program added a Masters of Arts in Arts Administration in 1984. The master’s degree offers courses in production, distribution and management of arts and cultural programming to candidates who had studied arts as an undergraduate student.

Students have gone on to become:

•  Arts Administrators
•  Arts Advocates
•  Community Organizers
•  Creative Entrepreneurs
•  Event Planners
•  Marketing Managers

In addition to more the traditional areas of performing or visual arts, newer fields have emerged for EMU arts administration grads such as:

•  arts and healthcare
•  arts and higher education
•  arts and recreation
•  arts and entrepreneurship

During the past 40 years the impact that Eastern has had on the arts and cultural sector moves well beyond Southeastern Michigan. Arts Management and Administration alumni work in all areas of arts and culture throughout our state, the Midwest, across the U. S. and internationally in countries such as Chile, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.