Arts Administration (BA)
The Arts Administration Program integrates art history, studio art and music with Simmons’ pre-professional programs in business, communications and information science to prepare students for leadership in today’s changing creative economy. Internships and other practical experiences in the field are made possible through an array of institutional partnerships in Boston and beyond. With this combination of discipline-specific knowledge, practical skill and professional experience, graduates pursue arts-related careers in fields like development, education, marketing and digital communications within nonprofit cultural institutions, performance organizations, museums, art galleries and auction houses.
Program Requirements:
Students are required to take 52 semester hours, including 32 in the Department of Art and Music and 20 in one of the three professional tracks listed below.
Arts administration students can customize their major in two ways; they may choose between the Visual Arts and Music tracks, and they may choose a pre-professional track in Business, Public Relations and Marketing or Digital Communications.
Arts Administration Core Courses (required for all majors):
Arts Administration Electives (Not Required)
Students have the option to take these courses, if they are offered and fit into the student's academic plan. Please consult with advisors. Can be substituted for a professional track elective with the approval of the Director of the Arts Administration Program.
| AADM 234 | Museum Studies | 4 |
| AADM 236M | New York City Arts Administration Institute | 4 |
| AADM 253 | Introduction to Performing Arts Management | 4 |
Visual Arts Track
Three art history courses
| ART 141 | Introduction to Art History: Egypt to the Renaissance | 4 |
| ART 142 | Introduction to Art History: Baroque to the 20th Century | 4 |
One elective in art history
One studio art elective (cannot be counted twice toward the major)
One elective in arts administration, art history or studio art (cannot be counted twice toward the major)
Music Track
Electives in music history or theory (choose 5):
Business Track
Core
Electives (choose 2)
| BUS 213 | Nonprofit Management Study | 3 |
| BUS 221 | Project Management | 4 |
| BUS 224 | Social Action Leaders | 4 |
| BUS 234 | Organizational Communication & Behavior | 4 |
| BUS 250 | Principles of Marketing | 4 |
| BUS 291 | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Organizations | 4 |
| COMM 281 | Content Creation and Strategy | 4 |
| COMM 328 | Special Topics in Communications | 4 |
Public Relations and Marketing Track
Core
| BUS 250 | Principles of Marketing | 4 |
| COMM 186 | Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications | 4 |
| COMM 281 | Content Creation and Strategy | 4 |
Electives (choose 2)
Digital Communications Track
Core
Electives (choose 3)