Quincy University is launching a new degree program in arts management in the fall of 2021 to help prepare students for a career in the arts and performing arts world.

The Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management equips students to work in a leadership capacity with the opportunity to specialize in various areas, including studio art, graphic design, creative writing, music or theatre. This program will familiarize students with the necessary business side of the arts using the latest strategies while also developing a broader perspective of different areas of the arts.   Students will develop professional experience in the field through internships shadowing art professionals and various project management activities.

“Arts Management is a field that is deeply rooted in the spirit of a liberal arts education—combining business administration processes with the creative pursuits of the arts,” said Gary Meacher, M.F.A., assistant professor of design. “The art world is known for those that perform or create works as a means of expression, but what is less known is the management side that requires attention to the practical aspects of running a business and administration of resources. The arts play an important role in our community, and I am so proud that Quincy University recognizes the value of fostering growth in the field by establishing this interdisciplinary degree.”

After more than a year of pandemic-induced lockdowns, the creative economy is gaining national attention. Organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and Americans for the Arts are joining together on recovery efforts for the arts. President Biden recently proposed a significant boost in funding for the country’s arts and culture agencies as part of his budget for the 2022 fiscal year.  Quincy University will now provide students with an avenue to help this critical industry post-pandemic.

“Over 4% of total U.S. economic activity – hundreds of billions of dollars each year – comes directly from the visual and performing arts,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., QU president. “This major will allow our talented students to acquire a deep understanding of the arts and of the business principles that are so important to success in the art world. I am eager to see what our arts management graduates achieve in the years to come.”

This versatile degree allows graduates to create or manage a business that shares their passion for the arts. As the nation opens back up, there will be a growing need for business professionals to run art galleries, theaters, and museums or lead arts nonprofits. The field is growing in new ways as well, as local cities are considering how to increase cultural planning and the impact of the arts on their economies.

The new degree program aligns with QU’s Success by Design initiative, preparing all students for the workforce with career-driven programs that are both innovative and responsive to the ever-changing marketplace.  Additionally, the Success by Design initiative allows students to design a customized success plan, which will allow them to graduate in a timely fashion and work with faculty and staff to prepare for a career in the arts management field and in life.

Enrollment for this new program is open now with classes starting in August 2021. Interested students should contact, Tom Oliver, M.L.A., vice president for enrollment management, at 217-228-5432 ext: 3351 or oliveth@quincy.edu.

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success by Design.