Butler University offers a completely unique Arts Administration degree where students learn about the business side of not-for-profit arts organizations while also honing their craft in music, theatre, dance, visual art, or art history. They speak the languages of the arts and learn to build and serve community through the arts. As arts administrators, we bring artists and audiences together to grow stronger communities.
The mission of the Arts Administration Department is to provide undergraduate students from all backgrounds with a strong liberal arts foundation; education in not-for-profit administration, business, strategic communication; and comprehensive study in the arts. 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.
We support each student to be the artist and/or arts advocate they endeavor to be, while they develop transferrable skills through diverse classroom and real-world experiences that prepare them for future success in their careers (both artistic and administrative) and in life. An important education component of the Arts Administration degree is experiential learning wherein students put classroom knowledge to work during internships with arts and not-for-profit organizations in Indiana, across the country, and around the world.
Your support of the Arts Administration Gift Fund enables:
- Students to attend national conferences where they make important connections with industry leaders and gain valuable experiences through seminars and other educational and networking opportunities.
- Students to participate in the Arts & Cultural Management in Italy study abroad program with scholarship support.
- Students to attend arts events throughout Indianapolis and the region.
- Our faculty to continue their professional development through participation in national and international conferences.
Alumni testimonials:
The Arts Administration program allowed me to combine several passions of mine into a cohesive curriculum where I was able to do everything I wanted, obtain once-in-a-lifetime experiences/internships, learn from truly-world class faculty, and ultimately secure a full-time working position before graduation day. –Ross Werner ‘18
Butler’s Arts Administration program has equipped me to pursue creative roles across the broad spectrum of non-profit cultural organizations, from planning events at a historical center, to working in development at a major art museum, and now serving in a leadership role at my local arts council. I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with fellow artists of all backgrounds while heling shape the future of arts engagement. –Mollie Thomas, ‘15
Featured Challenge:
Arts Administration Challenge
Your gift can unlock additional support for the Arts Administration Department! 15 gifts to this challenge will unlock $1,250 in funding for the Arts Administration Gift Fund. Gifts to the Arts Administration Gift Fund support the next generation of leaders in the arts by providing trips for students to explore the arts in new cities, panels and guest speakers, and support for students that take on low or no paying internships.
