About the Arts Administration Program

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 or arts advocate they can and want to be while they develop transferrable skills through diverse classroom and real-world experiences that prepare them for future success in their careers and life. An important education component of the Arts Administration degree is experiential learning (internship) wherein students put classroom knowledge to work with arts and nonprofit organizations in Indiana and throughout the nation.

In response to a growing need to broaden the career opportunities for JCA students, Butler established the Arts Administration program in the late 1970s. Today, over 80 students study arts administration at Butler. With internship opportunities across the country and alumni working at some of the top cultural organizations in the nation, Butler Arts Administration graduates are prepared to face the challenges of bringing the arts to a new generation.

Objectives & Goals

The program combines study in the arts and humanities with concentrations in business and communication. The program is designed to provide all students with a strong undergraduate liberal arts education, a basic understanding of the business world and comprehensive education in the disciplines of the arts. The arts management course work brings together diverse areas of study into a cohesive philosophy for professional preparation. This program provides educational opportunity and training for students seeking to manage or administer creative endeavors.

  • To provide comprehensive undergraduate liberal arts education which integrates the arts with business skills.
  • To prepare students for a career working with a wide variety of artists and non-profit arts organizations.
  • To offer opportunities for students to learn and develop skills through experimental learning experiences, including internships, practicum and special projects with small and large arts organizations.

JCA provides focused professional study and collaborative, creative experiences within the context of a strong liberal arts university.  We value an inclusive and welcoming environment with a diverse range of artists, traditions, ideas and audiences. We emphasize the development of student as artist- citizens who will become leaders in arts and society