Arts Administration

Department of Theatre

Western Michigan University's arts administration program is designed for students pursuing leadership and
administrative positions in theatre and other arts and cultural organizations and for those interested in
connecting audiences to the arts. The core curriculum provides students with foundational courses in
performing and/or visual arts, and courses specific to the management of theatres, and arts and cultural
organizations that develop skills in arts programming, marketing, communication, fundraising, finance, venue
management and audience engagement. The curriculum allows flexibility for students to choose elective
courses tailored to their strengths and interests in the field. Courses of study can be customized with the
approval of the director of arts administration. Practical application is emphasized through hands-on
experiences within the local arts industry and professional internship credits.

Beyond the classroom

As an arts administration student at WMU, you will be expected to participate as an arts administrator in the
theatre production, music or dance programs each year, which will serve as laboratories for some of your
practical application experiences. You will have many opportunities to engage in various administrative and
management roles within the College of Fine Arts or other arts organizations on campus and throughout the
Kalamazoo community.

After you graduate

Recent WMU graduates with degrees in arts administration are working as:

Company managers
Development directors
Broadway publicists
Arts marketers
Audience services associates
Executive directors

Among the organizations they work for are:

Hamilton National Tour
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Roundabout Theatre Company
Milwaukee Ballet
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Broadway in Chicago
Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway
Williamstown Theatre Festival

Where is the program offered?

Kalamazoo

Other programs of interest

Academics

Arts Administration