News & Events

Money Matters from AES

The world of arts and arts management is replete with stereotypes about artists and money; the starving artist image seems to imply that artists do not know how to manage money or do not care, because they live in their dreams and not in the ‘real’ world. The truth is that money matters, whether you are an artist solopreneur or the leader of a complex, cultural non-profit overseeing a large scale operational budget and multiple program budgets.

Vicki Meek: 3 Decades of Social Commentary

Vicki Meek, Professor of Cultural Equity in the Arts in the Arts Extension Service's Online program, will open her retrospective exhibition November 16-17, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Vicki Meek: 3 Decades of Social Commentary will feature a variety of mixed media works created by Professor Meek over the last 30+ years, all of which explore her lifelong investigation of social conditions affecting the African American community. Houston Museum of African American Culture

Arts & Culture: What’s Our Role in Greening the Future?

As news of the devastating effects of the climate crisis floods our screens and inboxes at an ever faster rate, many artists, arts professionals and organizations, cultural workers and leaders are organizing and collaborating on initiatives to keep apace. Arts professionals and leaders are quickly rising to the calls for urgent action coming from environmental activists and climate justice advocates around the globe, and AES has been among those future-oriented organizations leading the charge.

Kate Beckley Joins AES as a Summer Department Assistant

Kate Beckley is the new summer Department Assistant for the Arts Extension Service, and just graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and with Certificates in both Arts Management from the Arts Extension Service, and Media Literacy from the Communications Department. The combination of her certificates and education has supplied her with a deeper appreciation for art and what occurs behind the scenes in order for the final product to be visible to audiences.

AES Instructor John Delconte Speaks at Amherst Panel on Economic Development

A panel discussion about the state of economic development in Amherst was held at the Old Chapel on the UMass campus on May 29, 2019. The discussion, hosted by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Bobrowski and Vickery, LLC, and UMass included UMass AES Instructor of Creative Economy and Placemaking, John Delconte.

Rena Cromer Finding Her Niche in Theater Management

Rena Cromer, who currently lives in Roanoke, Virginia, is just one semester away from completing her BA from the University Without Walls Concentration in Arts Management. Rena is also the Box Office Coordinator at the Lenfest Center for the Arts on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. Rena finds AES courses are helping her to build a theater management career.

Program Coordinator Terre Vandale: Exploring Mount Holyoke as a Living Laboratory

Like most Arts Extension Service staff and faculty, AES Program Coordinator Terre Vandale is also a practicing artist. A dancer, Terre creates performance for site and stage as well as dance video, participatory installations, and visual dance scores. Terre infuses her work as a teacher and administrator with an artist’s sensibility and perspective. Her Arts Fundraising course draws on interactive and collaborative teaching methods - essential elements of the creative process.

Riley Walter: Emerging Music Entrepreneur

Riley Walter is an AES student and BDIC (Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration) majoring in Music Production Engineering and Entrepreneurship. AES courses and his internship at Northfire Recording studio have prepared him well for a career in the hip-hop industry. He is both a musician himself and is training in engineering and music/audio production.

Embracing Change: Austin Luke’s BDIC Major in Arts Management

Campus student Austin Luke (UMass ‘19) is graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration in Arts Management. Luke charted a path to prepare himself for a career in Music Business by integrating Arts Extension Service (AES) classes with courses in psychology and marketing. His story can help other campus students interested in designing a BDIC major focused on Arts Management.

"Artist-in-Business” Training Coming to Springfield this April

The Arts Extension Service (AES) will offer an Artist-in-Business Training at UMass Springfield on April 27th. In this day-long intensive, artists address key elements of both business and marketing practices to build their arts-based business. This training will provide resources for visual artists, performers, and creatives in all mediums. Session topics include pricing, web and offline marketing, understanding and reaching one’s target market, finance basics, and goal setting to reach their next steps.

Arts Extension Service