I don’t spend much time on this blog talking about my day job, as I figure its a relatively commercial-free zone. But I do have a day job, directing an MBA degree program in Arts Administration in the Wisconsin School of Business. And that day job is entirely intertwined with all that I do online and offline.
Essentially, I work closely with my colleagues here in the business school, with alumni, and with international innovators in professional practice to do three things:
- Search for and select high-potential professional leaders for arts and cultural enterprise;
- Connect those individuals to curriculum, hands-on learning, and professional networks to help them become not only masters of the task at hand, but also ready for the task ahead;
- Build and grow an international network of alumni and colleagues in the professional world and in academia to ensure we know what success looks like for items one and two, and that we have the capacity to achieve it.
Around this time every year, my focus narrows onto item number one: search and selection. Each February, we accept applications for fall admission. And each March, we select from that extraordinary international pool to build our incoming class. We already get a strong, competitive, and compelling group of applicants each year. But I’m concerned that we’re missing large numbers of high-potential cultural leaders who aren’t aware of the option.
Which is where I’d appreciate your help.
If you are (or if you know) an exceptionally passionate and focused professional in arts and culture, with two tor more years of full-time, post-undergraduate work experience, an aptitude for business thinking, and a commitment to innovation in the way arts organizations run, we should know each other. You provide the application, the transcripts, the GMAT score, and the compelling essays. We’ll provide a fully funded (yes, all of our admitted students are funded through hands-on assistantships), intensive, immersive, conversational, and challenging two-year MBA degree in Arts Administration for those who are selected.
I know it sounds like a sales pitch, but it’s really a call for partners. Our students, our graduates, our network, and our faculty have defined professional practice in arts and culture for 40 years. We need your energy and your insights to redefine the field for the next 40 years.
Interested? Send me a note!
Greetings Andrew,
I will pass this along to some faculty colleagues in town, but wonder how far afield your candidates go for apprenticeships?
Best,
Marilu Knode
Executive Director
Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis
Hello Andrew,
Thank you for sharing this, I also belive that creating networks in the arts it´s very important, not only for the obvious reasons that benefit other areas of work and interest, but for the motivation and new perpectives in the creative area that is SO important for the arts.
I have a question: Does your MBA program include international arts managers??
Last year I was chosen to participate in the International Arts Managers Fellow Program of the Department of State and the John F. Kennedy Center of Performig Arts. It was the best experience I´ve ever had!!
Here in Ecuador , we don´t have any academical support for carriers involved in Arts Management.
I am currently the Cultural Promoter of the Guayaquil Symphonic Orchestra, and before that Manager of the Colonial Art Museum.
I would love to participate in your program, or have a short term internship or seminar opportunity.
Best regards,
Consuelo Hidalgo.
Cultural Promoter and Educational Programs.
Orquesta Sinfónica de Guayaquil
Ecuador – South America
Consuelo,
Thanks for your comment and your question. Our MBA program is, indeed, open to international students. But we only offer the full-time, two-year, resident program. If you are interested in seminars, workshops, or other shorter learning opportunities, you’ll need to find them elsewhere. Sorry!