Students will learn the basic principles of arts administration [including general arts management, organizational leadership, financial management, marketing, development, and strategic planning] and apply those theories into practice through the creation of an imaginary project arts organization. This course will also give students an overview of the importance of arts advocacy, and the role students will play as future creators of cultural policy.

AA6010 has 4 Learning Outcomes that build upon the Learning Outcomes of the Arts Administration Program, the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration, and the College of Performing & Visual Arts, as well as the Mission and Vision of Southern Utah. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have gained:

1. An understanding of the purpose and operation of the different areas of arts administration within a nonprofit;
2. The ability to apply arts administration principles learned in class in both practical and creative ways through the Final Project;
3. The skills needed to identify and critically examine issues vital to managing arts organizations;
4. A basic understanding of how current socioeconomic and political climates can impact arts organizations.

Grading for this course is broken down into four (4) areas: Contribution, Arts Briefings, Exams, and the Final Project.

1. Contribution (20%): Students are expected to come to class prepared and to actively contribute to discussions on both the assigned readings and Arts Briefings (see below). This means students are taking an active role in the course: engaging in the conversation and being respectful of the other students and the instructor. Students should add (or contribute) to the educational and collaborative atmosphere of the class. This should be an organic, collaborative, and insightful process. Remember, contribution is not necessarily about having the right answers. It is simply allowing for Critical Thinking, trying out new ideas and positions, and helping others consider all sides of an issue.

2. Arts Briefing (20%): Students are required to lead a class discussion on an arts-related news topic once during the semester. A good list of where to find such articles is on the Student Resources page of the AA website. Students not leading the discussion are expected to have read the source material and contribute to the discussion, getting points for such participation as part of the weekly Contribution grade. The assigned student must:

   1. Choose a recent (within the last two years) news article, blog entry, video, etc.,
   2. Share the source material (and questions to think about while reading) with the class by the Friday before the assigned week as a comment in the AB Discussion Forum, and
   3. Facilitate the discussion on the issue during the assigned class period.

3. Exams (20%): There will be two essay exams during the semester. Each exam will consist of four (4) questions, with students choosing two (2) to answer. Each essay answer must be at least six-hundred (600) words in length. There are no formatting expectations, but if other sources are cited beyond the course textbook and readings, those sources must be listed at the bottom of the essay. The exams will cover readings and class discussion up to the exam date.

4. Final Project (40%): Over the course of the semester, students will create an imaginary nonprofit arts organization from the ground up. Drafts of individual parts of the project will be due throughout the semester as they relate to current class discussion. At the end of the semester, students will make a ten (10) minute minimum presentation on the new organization to satisfy Presentation component of the Final Project. The Portfolio component of the Final Project will be turned in after the Presentation, and should be at least fifteen (15) pages in length.

This course will normally consist of three types of assessments weekly: (1) a discussion on the assigned Readings, (2) a discussion on the assigned Arts Briefing, and (3) written assignments(s) as related to the Final Project. The Exams will occur at the middle and end of the semester along with the other three assessments in those modules.

Grade Range

• Overview of Arts Administration - General Arts Management
• Organizing in the Arts (Mission statements, organizational charts, job descriptions, human resources, structuring)
• Finance Management in Arts Organizations (General nonprofit accounting, budgeting, controls)
• Marketing in the Arts (General marketing, traditional marketing, social media marketing, audience segmentation)
• Fund Development in the Arts (General fund development, grant writing, donor cultivation, making the case for support)
• Planning in the Arts (General planning, strategic planning, programming, etc)
• Advocacy in the Arts (General advocacy, cultural policy, government relations, etc)

All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas (again, please note that all times are Mountain Standard). Students earn credit by completing the assignments in the same time frame given every other student in the class.

• Discussions: Since they are based on conversing with your fellow students, all graded class discussions close immediately after the due date/time listed, with no late posts accepted.
• Assignments: For written assignments turned in to the instructor, ten percent (10%) will be deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. This means that no assignment will be eligible for points if it is more than ten (10) days beyond the due date.

In the event of circumstances preventing a student from completing a discussion or assignment on time, the student should let the instructor know and request a deadline extension. Such extensions are up to the discretion of the instructor.

Additionally, we (myself and the Teaching Assistants) commit to grading and giving feedback on assignments within ten (10) business days of the due date, and responding to emails within three (3) business days.

Instructor Feedback: Keeping a 9-5, M-F schedule, the instructor commits to grading and giving feedback on assignments within five business days of the due date, and responding to emails within two business days.

Classroom Climate: Students are expected to model good Expedition Behavior (as defined by the National Outdoor Leadership School) in all course activities in any class in the Arts Administration Program. Expedition Behavior "encompasses actions that serve the health and function of a group or community when working together toward common goals." Principles of Expedition Behavior include:

• Mission: Serve the mission (Course Description) and goals (Course Outcomes) of the group.
• Concern: Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself.
• Dignity & Respect: Treat everyone as you would be treated.
• Support: Support leadership and growth in everyone.
• Kindness: Be kind and open-hearted.
• Organization: Do your share and stay organized.
• Help: Help others but don’t routinely do their work.
• Integrity: Model integrity by being honest and accountable.
• Concise: Say yes and deliver, or say no clearly if you cannot or will not do something.
• Constructive Resolution: Resolve conflict in a productive manner.

This class is intended to test higher-level cognitive abilities. You are expected to be active in your learning and think, question, problem-solve, and debate information presented in class. The instructor will do their best to create an environment in which expressions of uncertainty, conjecture, and alternative or competing views can be freely shared. The same is expected of students. Remember, there is a big difference between debating and attacking. The latter will not be tolerated and the instructor reserves the right to excuse from discussions any student who compromises this preferred class climate. As we navigate unscripted challenges, please be flexible and extend grace and kindness to the instructor, to classmates, and to yourself. We are in this together and we are all doing our best.

There is no traditional attendance policy for this course. Students are simply expected to come to class each week prepared and to actively contribute. Along with assignments, exams, and presentations, this 'active contribution' is part of the student's grade.

AA MISSION STATEMENT: The Arts Administration Program develops graduates who advocate for the arts while balancing administrative systems with the creative process in an effort to ensure the artistic integrity and economic sustainability of arts and culture organizations.