Students interested in combining their interests in arts and business may have more opportunities at the University in the future because of the possible creation of a five-year master's degree program for arts administration.
The program, proposed by Art Department Lecturer George Sampson, is currently being deliberated by the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Committee on Educational Policy and Curriculum, according to interim College Dean Karen Ryan.
According to Sampson, the process for implementing a new program typically takes about 18 months, and not all of it occurs on Grounds.
"Establishing a new degree requires approval of state authorities in Richmond," Sampson said, adding that "if everything goes very smoothly, we might have our first entering class of this program in the fall of 2009."
According to Sampson, if implemented, the program would only include the five-year master's program; there are no plans to create an undergraduate major or minor in arts administration. Undergraduates interested in the program could choose any major, and would apply during their third year.
Sampson added that future students would be expected "to have knowledge of business and basics of management" as well as "knowledge of at least one art form."
According to Sampson, graduates from this program would have a variety of job opportunities.
"I think the range of options is very broad," Sampson said, citing opportunities for management positions in institutions such as art museums, galleries and music organizations. According to Ryan, the program was conceived as a way to expand the fine and performing arts program at the University.
"We envision this as a way of bridging majors in fine and performing arts with potential careers in the arts," Ryan said. "We want to offer our students a way to follow their passions when they're in the College."
According to Elizabeth Turner, vice provost for the arts, the program offers an opportunity to combine applied and practical research.
"I feel very positive about this program," Turner said. "It is a possibility we want to entertain here."
Ryan said she expects the proposal for the arts administration program will be approved at some point, noting that if the CEPC does not pass a proposal the first time around, the committee will work with the department to refine the proposal so the program will be accepted.
"I fully expect that it will pass in some form, it may not be the exact current form," Ryan said.
Fourth-year College student Caitlin Brown, Sampson's student, said she has worked with him on the development of the new program and has seen a sizable interest in it from students and faculty.
"I definitely think it's really feasible," Brown said.
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