In our current landscape, tackling the challenges that arts and cultural organizations are facing takes creative and innovative thinking. Why not build your understanding of Arts Management this spring with Arts Extension Service's 100% online courses or our UMass Undergraduate Campus classes? Our highly relevant and instructive courses with renowned faculty who have extensive backgrounds in the field will bridge the gap of the experiential to the practical for aspiring and practicing arts managers, non-profit leaders, and creative practitioners.
Take your knowledge and experience to the next level, add to your resume, and increase your tool kit.
Enrollment for Spring 2024 will begin on Monday, November 6 for both campus and online classes.
To enroll in the campus version of any course, search for the course in SPIRE during your Enrollment Appointment and add it to your schedule.
To enroll in the online credit (ARTS-EXT) version of any course, follow the directions on this page to enroll through SPIRE.
To enroll in the non-credit (LLAMS) version, fill out this form using the information below.
Note: the refund policy for online classes differs between non-credit classes and credit classes. Non-credit classes must be dropped by the day after the start of the semester in order to obtain a 100% refund; after this date UWW will not grant a refund. Please refer to the UWW Refund Policy for details.
Arts Managers perform the work that is required to bring the arts and cultural programs to audiences, organizing programs such as festivals and exhibits, performing arts events, and film screenings. This course will introduce you to the "business of the arts," providing you with an overview of the careers in arts management, the types of work that arts managers do, and the current issues and trends now affecting arts management professionals. This course is designed for individuals who are new to the field of arts management, are considering an arts management career, or are interested in arts management principles for the purposes of starting one's own nonprofit. This course is a requirement for all UMass students joining the Arts Management program who have no prior experience in the field.
Arts Fundraising
Subject and Course Number
ARTS-EXT 501
ARTS-EXT 501
LLAMS 12
Class Number
10640
19846
19829
Campus, Credit or Noncredit?
Campus
Online Credit
Online Noncredit
Instructor
Terre Parker
Lisa Barnwell Williams
Lisa Barnwell Williams
Course Fee
Included in your tuition
$1,893 + $75 registration fee
$875 + $50 registration fee
Days & Times
Th 2:30 - 3:45 PM
Asynchronous
Asynchronous
Recent statistics show that while most nonprofit arts organizations will earn half their income, the remainder must be raised from individual donors and grants. Other than earned income, the largest source of revenue for arts organizations continues to be individual donors at 35.5%. Now, more than ever, it is essential for arts managers to know how to develop and implement an effective fundraising program that draws its strength from a variety of sources, and focuses on building relationships as its foundation. This course will present the principles and methods of raising funds for nonprofit arts organizations from individuals, businesses, government agencies and foundations. Practical assignments will focus on identifying potential sources, positioning the organization for fundraising, and developing effective strategies for acquiring funds. The course will culminate in the development of a fundraising action plan for your own nonprofit or a case study organization of your choosing.
Arts Marketing
Subject and Course Number
ARTS-EXT 502
ARTS-EXT 502
LLAMS 13
Class Number
10639
19272
19216
Campus, Credit or Noncredit?
Campus
Online Credit
Online Noncredit
Instructor
TBA
TBA
TBA
Course Fee
Included in your tuition
$1,893 + $75 registration fee
$875 + $50 registration fee
Days & Times
Wed. 4:20 - 5:35 PM
Asynchronous
Asynchronous
Marketing is the most important tool to build awareness of your programs and services, and - if properly planned - can help you to reach new audiences and cultivate loyalty in those you already serve. This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of marketing for arts and cultural programs. You will learn basic marketing concepts, such as understanding the marketing mix, utilizing environmental analysis, developing position statements and branding an organization to help you formulate effective marketing strategies. Emphasis will be placed on understanding audiences and building participation in your programs and services. Assignments will culminate in the development of a marketing plan for your own nonprofit or a case study organization of your choosing. Please note: all course work is applied to a case study organization, which may be your own organization or one where you volunteer.
Creative Community Leadership
Subject and Course Number
ARTS-EXT 390D
LLAMS 24
Class Number
19845
19828
Campus, Credit or Noncredit?
Online Credit
Online Noncredit
Instructor
Kathryn Bentley, WIlliam Cleveland
Kathryn Bentley, WIlliam Cleveland
Course Fee
$1,575 + $75 registration fee
$875 + $50 registration fee
Days & Times
Asynchronous
Asynchronous
This course teaches how to use the arts and the creative process as a tool for social change, as well as the skills to practice effective creative community collaboration and partnership development. Students will explore the structure and dynamics of social and cultural ecosystems and strategies for working effectively within them; develop awareness of how race, rank and privilege affect community cultural development; and acquire and practice adaptive leadership and inquiry-based learning skills as keys to successful work in change-constant environments. This course will provide leadership training to support cultural practice as an overarching resource for advancing collaborative, creative problem solving and innovation across multiple community sectors.
Creative Economy & Placemaking
Subject and Course Number
ARTS-EXT 508
LLAMS 18
Class Number
19844
19843
Campus, Credit or Noncredit?
Online Credit
Online Noncredit
Instructor
John Delconte
John Delconte
Course Fee
$1,893 + $75 registration fee
$875 + $50 registration fee
Days & Times
Asynchronous
Asynchronous
What is all the buzz about the Creative Economy? Can it do anything for my community? The arts are increasingly recognized as a valued community resource with the potential to stimulate economic growth and build social capital. It is important to understand the possibilities as well as the pitfalls. This class will demystify the term, uncover why the creative economy is a major force in stimulating communities across the country, and explore how each community is unique. You will examine the key community assets in your case study; determine its creative and culture strengths and potential; discuss the important role in establishing and building lasting partnerships with artists, business leaders and government officials; strategize on how to attract investment and diversify and economy; learn to build social capital, and much more. Course participants will leave with a Creative Economy plan unique to your case study.
This course is designed as a primer in entrepreneurship for arts students and those in cognate fields. Students will examine the breadth of professional opportunities available in the Creative Economy and explore strategies for pursuing them. Based on these examinations, students will construct a personal mission statement, build an individualized portfolio of materials appropriate for professional development purposes, and begin a journal to formulate, collect, and grow creative venture ideas. Topics will include creative visioning, an introduction to the for-profit and non-profit economies, and relevant arts policy.
