Arts Administration

Metropolitan College

Arts Administration

The following courses are electives within the Master of Science in Arts Administration graduate degree program. They are also open to non-degree students who have completed an undergraduate degree and have all necessary prerequisites.
  • Capital Campaigns

    MET AR 711

    This course is designed to broaden the student's understanding of capital campaign fundraising. Topics include feasibility studies; strategic planning and budgeting; private and public phases; ethical responsibilities; staff, donor, volunteer, board, and trustee management; major gift solicitation; campaign communications; trend analysis; and evaluation. The course curriculum includes readings, case studies, guest speakers, and analysis of current capital campaign projects. 4 cr. Tuition: $3900

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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  • Internship in Arts Administration II

    MET AR 803

    Provides guidance to students as they undertake the internship experience. Students meet individually with the instructor to report on their experience and receive feedback. Students may not register for MET AR 803, or begin their actual internship, until they have completed a minimum of six of the ten required courses and MET AR 802. Arts Administration degree students only. 2 cr. Tuition: $1950

    Twelve-week course (May 20-August 8)

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  • Leadership in the Arts

    MET AR 700

    This course provides students with an understanding of issues and practices of people in leadership positions in the arts world. Regardless of what functional area a student is aiming for ¿ artistic, development, marketing, finance ¿ eventually they are going to have to demonstrate leadership of a department, a team, or an entire organization. Through a combination of case analysis, class discussion, written assignments, and the insights of the two instructors and guest speakers from the arts community, we will focus on the most effective qualities of leaders. Topics include distinguishing between leadership and management; recruiting, cultivating, and evaluating leaders; specific challenges of leading highly creative people; teamwork and leadership; promoting DEI in the leadership of an organization; co-leadership, shared leadership, and other models; understanding and developing your own leadership style. 4 cr. Tuition: $3900

    Summer 1 (May 20-June 27)

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  • Special Topics in Arts Administration

    MET AR 781

    Topic for summer 2025: Branding for the Arts. This course will explore branding and strategic brand management, with special focus on the arts and culture sector. Through class discussions and readings, case studies of arts-centered and corporate brand structures, discussion with experts in the field, and collaborative group projects, students will understand the crucial role that a brand plays in any arts organization's success, learn how a brand is constructed, and will become versed in how to effectively manage brand challenges and growth. 4 cr. Tuition: $3900

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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  • Commercial Theater Graduate Certificate Accelerated Summer Institute

    Commercial Theater Graduate Certificate Accelerated Summer Institute

    Please note, these courses are designed for students completing the Commercial Theater Graduate Certificate Accelerated Summer Institutes. CFA Graduate Students in the School of Theater may also register for these courses as electives. For further information about this certificate, please email the MET Arts Administration department at artsad@bu.edu.

    Summer 1
    MET AR 751: Commercial Production: The Broadway Model (May 30 - June 8)
    MET AR 754: Global Performing Arts Presenting and Producing (June 13 - 22)

    Summer 2
    MET AR 753: Current Trends in the Performing Arts Industry (July 11 - 20)
    MET AR 752: Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses (July 25 - August 3)

    A field trip to New York City is planned from Monday, July 7 – Thursday, July 10.

    • Commercial Production: The Broadway Model

      MET AR 751

      This course will examine the process of developing commercial Broadway productions from "page to stage." Students will examine the selection process that producers follow to identify a piece or property. We will examine the entire production process, from securing the rights and options, to legal processes including investor relations and collective bargaining, to assembling a creative and production team. Students will have the opportunity to meet with several Broadway professionals as guest speakers. Other topics covered may include securing a theater, residual, and subsidiary income as well as domestic and international touring. The leadership role of the producer will be discussed at every stage of the journey. [Required for Commercial Theater Graduate Certificate] 4 cr. Tuition: $3900

      Summer 1 (May 30-June 8)

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    • Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses

      MET AR 752

      Strategies for Performing Arts Businesses explores the practice of producing theater as an act of entrepreneurship, and the strategic thinking necessary to take a concept for a creative business or initiative and make it a reality. Students will learn the skills of leadership and management as they are applied in a dynamic arts environment. In this course we will go behind the bright lights of Broadway to examine the variety of creative business that support or leverage the commercial theater industry, as well as the ways in which creative business people inside of the largest legacy institutions are creating new strategies to stay at the forefront of this highly competitive field. We will also consider the ways in which nonprofit theaters are increasingly seeking to build earned revenue strategies, and the growing number of commercial/nonprofit partnerships that operate within the industry. [Required for Commercial Theater Graduate Certificate] 4 cr. Tuition: $3900

      Summer 2 (July 25-August 3)

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    • Current Trends in the Performing Arts Industry

      MET AR 753

      Graduate Prerequisites: (MET AR 751) or Online Lab. - Promoting a theatrical property extends beyond selling tickets to performances, regardless of whether it is for a limited or open-ended engagement. Producers and artists must continually seek new opportunities and environments for their properties. Producers must follow a methodical process of analyzing current business activities and forecasting potential trends to inform decision-making that will ensure future success. [Required for Commercial Theater Graduate Certificate] 4 cr. Tuition: $3900

      Summer 2 (July 11-July 20)

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    • Global Performing Arts Presenting and Producing

      MET AR 754

      Graduate Prerequisites: (MET AR 751) or Online Lab. This course focuses on core concepts that are involved with offering a theatrical property to the touring market and other commercial presenting environments such as cruise ships, casinos, resorts or public/private partnerships. Leaders of these businesses and entertainment organizations must present or produce artistically rewarding programs that align with their missions to attract, retain and grow audiences, while maintaining sustainable financial support. The course explores the assessment of a commercial artistic/entertainment property for the purpose of placing the property on Broadway, an international tour or other settings in which the property can be presented and monetized. The specific legal and licensing requirements to accomplish a variety of presenting models, such as ADA requirements, international visa requirements, content licensing, and financial models etc. will be explored with a strong focus on international engagements and viability. [Required for Commercial Theater Graduate Certificate] 4 cr. Tuition: $3900

      Summer 1 (June 13-June 22)

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