The Program

The Arts Management Certificate for Campus Undergraduates.

Are you an undergraduate student interested in tapping into a different side of your creative self and turning your passions into a career in the arts? From learning how to create a budget to organizing social change, Arts Extension Service (AES) courses will add to your professional capabilities as an artist, musician, or performer and future in arts management. Your next step is to take one or more AES arts management courses or complete the campus certificate.

The Arts Management Certificate could make you stand out to potential employers and arts institutions that are looking for a well-rounded graduate. For undergraduate students interested in art history, art, music, dance, film, writing, or theater, an Arts Management Certificate demonstrates a broader understanding of the behind-the-scenes workings of nonprofit and for-profit arts organizations.

The Arts Management Campus Certificate provides proof of one’s commitment to the field. AES courses will:

Introduce you to the business side of the arts.
Provide an overview of the varied careers that arts managers enjoy.
Introduce current issues and trends impacting arts management professionals.
Teach important skills including budgeting, arts marketing, program planning, audience, partnership development, and much more.
Build your arts management portfolio demonstrating completion of semester-long intensive projects such as a 3-year fundraising plan for an existing nonprofit arts organization.
Integrate the professional experience of leaders in the field through in-class presentations.
Invite experts including artists/arts managers working on creative placemaking, art for social change, or audience development projects to join us for discussions.

The Arts Management Campus Certificate requires a total of 15 credits. The following required courses (12 credits) provide an adequate basis for understanding and entering the nonprofit arts field:

ARTS-EXT 500 – Introduction to Arts Management (3 credits) Fall/Spring.
ARTS-EXT 501 – Arts Fundraising (3 credits) Spring.
ARTS-EXT 502 – Arts Marketing (3 credits) Spring.
ARTS-EXT 504 – Financial Management in the Arts (3 credits) Fall.

The following options allow undergraduate students to explore their area of interest and develop additional skills:

ARTS-EXT 391A – Foundations in Arts Entrepreneurship (3 credits) Spring.
ARTS-EXT 503 – Arts Programming (3 credits) Fall.
ARTS-EXT 509 – Greening Your Nonprofit Arts Organization (3 credits) Fall.
ARTS-EXT 511 – Grantwriting for the Arts (3 credits) Spring.

The following AES online offerings are open to students through University Without Walls. These courses are ideal for students studying abroad or completing internships off-campus. Note: These courses are not included as part of your regular tuition.

ARTS-EXT 391A – Foundations in Arts Entrepreneurship (3 credits) Spring.
ARTS-EXT 503 – Arts Programming (3 credits) Spring.
ARTS-EXT 508 – Creative Economy and Placemaking (3 credits) Spring.
ARTS-EXT 511 – Grantwriting for the Arts (3 credits) Fall.

Earning the Certificate in Arts Management

If you are an undergraduate interested in earning the Arts Management Certificate you must do the following:

1) Submit the Certificate Application Form

Complete and submit this form before or once you have started coursework for the certificate.

2) Meet Grade Requirements

Pass both of the following grade requirements in addition to the required coursework:

a) Finish with a minimum average GPA of 2.0 or higher for Arts Management courses counting towards the certificate.

b) Cannot have more than 1 course below a 2.0 or letter grade of C count towards the certificate.

3) Submit Certificate Request Form

*IMPORTANT! You will not receive your certificate in the mail or have it displayed on your transcript if you do not complete this step! Complete and submit this second form after receiving all grades for completed coursework—but before your graduation time. Find the form at http://www.umass.edu/aes/campus-certificate and follow the deadlines below:

February graduation – Feb 15;
May graduation – May 25;
September graduation – Sept 15.

Let us help you find the right class schedule for you. We can assist you in designing your program of study. Contact us at aes@acad.umass.edu or 413-545-2360.