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M.A.A. Specializations

Community Dance
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Community Dance emphasizes the creative process as a form of collaboration, through which dance can be an adaptable, inclusive, socially relevant practice. Community Dance prepares professionals ready to create and lead community dance projects focused on wellness, health, education, activism, or other initiatives. Courses include studio practice in dance technique and composition; theoretical, practical, and historical investigations of dance as a community form; dance research; and project planning.

Community Dance (12 credit hours)

DANC 6460: Community Dance Theory and Practice (3)
DANC 6260:  Leading Community Dance (3)

Choose 1 of the following (3 credit hours)  

DANC 5710: Histories of Modern & Postmodern Choreography
DANC 5711: Dance, Sexuality and Gender
DANC 5550: Dance Ethnography: Intellectualizing the Body’s Motion
DANC 5750: Dance in Non-Western Expressive Cultures
DANC 6620: Seminar in Dance Studies Research

Choose 1 of the following (1 credit hour)

DANC 5210: Graduate Modern Dance Technique
DANC 5250: Graduate African Dance Technique

Choose 1 additional studio dance course (minimum of 2 credit hours)

DANC 5150: Laban Movement Analysis (3)
DANC 5230: Graduate Dance Composition (2)
DANC 5360: Dance/Movement Lab (1-2)

Museum Studies
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The field of Museum Studies continues to expand because of the ongoing process of collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting historically significant items. This specialization provides a foundation for students interested in working in museums, in educational and interpretive centers, or in similar organizations promoting public outreach and education. The specialization emphasizes the visitor experience throughout all aspects of museum decision-making and planning processes. Students learn about the inner operations of nonprofit and arts and cultural heritage organizations; have an opportunity to work directly with objects and artifacts; become immersed in current museum methods and cultural heritage literature; and learn about networking and resume-building opportunities.

Museum Studies (12 credit hours)

ART 5100: Museum Fundamentals I (3)
ART 5922: Museum Fundamentals II Practicum (3)

Choose 2 approved elective courses taken from a minimum of two areas (6)

Music Leadership
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Music Leadership teaches concepts associated with the administration of music programs both at the university level and in the private sector. Students will explore how to effectively manage music programs including symphony orchestras, professional and amateur performing ensembles, and music schools and departments. Courses also provide general knowledge in music as well as music performance opportunities.

Music Leadership (12 credit hours)

MUS 5271: Music Administration (3)

Choose a minimum of 7 credit hours (7)

Applied lessons (2)
Ensembles (2)
Music History elective (3)
Music Theory elective (3)
MUS 5860 Teaching Music in Higher Education (1)

Choose 1 from Music Literature (2 credit hours)

MUS 5210: Literature of Choral Music
MUS 5212: Literature of Chamber Music
MUS 5213: Literature of Orchestra Music
MUS 5214: Literature of Organ Music
MUS 5215: Literature of Opera
MUS 5216: Literature of Band Music

Theater and Production Management
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Theater and Production Management offers a holistic approach to management and enables students to develop a greater understanding of both the professional and artisan practices behind the management and production of theater. Through classroom learning and hands-on experiences, students hone their abilities in interpersonal communication, process, shop mechanics, and overall management of the theater.

Theater and Production Management (12 credit hours)

THAR 5410: Intro to Theater Management (3)
*THAR 5350: Technical Direction Shop Management (3) * permission required
THAR 5610: Stage Management Seminar (3)

Choose 1 of the following

THAR 5395: Digital Portfolio and Performance Photography (3)
THAR 5399: Design and Production Business (3)

Visual Arts Management
Visual Arts Management_2024

Visual Arts Management is intended for both working artists who wish to expand their job opportunities, and/or other professionals interested in how visual arts may be harnessed to advance communities and social structures. In order to support and disseminate the work of visual artists, this specialization prepares students to initiate new art models and work with current organizations and institutions. The required courses take a plural approach to examining the diversity of visual arts and community needs—approaching the field of art and its engagement with public audiences as a diverse ecology with many niches. The program will expose students to the pragmatic financial concerns, governance issues, and legal filings to establish and run organizations that serve the specific needs of varied demographics in both urban and non-urban settings. Students also engage study and discuss ethical concerns relevant to serving diverse publics and community art interfaces.

Visual Arts Management (12 credit hours)

ART 5125: Working with Artists & Publics (3)
ART 5130: Art Worlds: Intersections & Modalities (3)

Choose 2 of the following (6 credit hours)

AH 5101: Contemporary Art History (3)
AH 5111: The Representation and Theorization of Gender in the History of Art (3)
AH 5180: Contemporary East Asian Art (3)
AH 5270: 19th Century Art (3)
AH 5320: West African Arts (3)
AH 5321: Exhibiting and Theorizing Global Art (3)
AH 5610: History of Photography (3)
AH 5611: 20th Century Art (3)
AH 5616: Art Spaces (3)
AH 5902: Contemporary Art Theory and Criticism (3)
ART 5140: Envisioning Art Organizations (3)
ART 6000: Interdisciplinary Seminar (3)
IART 7001: Research Skills (3)
IART 7403: Contemporary Aesthetics and Theory (3)
IART 7404: Critical Theory and the Arts (3)
IART 7407: Transnational and Global Theories (3)

Student Messages:

Hear from Avi Stewart [Theater and Production Management], Molly Cerep [Music Leadership], Hattie Phillips [Museum Studies] and Amanda De Santos [Community Dance] on their experiences in the MAA program.

Museum Studies

Shelly Lisle

Music Leadership

David Hoyt 

Music Leadership

Lauren Zetts

 

Music Leadership

Clayton Yoshifuku

Double majoring to complete his MAA degree alongside his Trombone performance masters degree, Clayton is finishing with two professional degrees, setting him apart as he seeks a career path in teaching and performance.

Community Dance

Brianne Szymanski

Brianne is pursuing her Master of Arts Administration degree with an area specialization in Community Dance with the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts. Brianne highlights her impression of this unique MAA degree housed within our interdisciplinary and collaborative fine arts community.

Theater Production and Management

Devin Sudman

Devin is building on his passion for Musical Theater through the MAA degree with specialization in Theater Production and Management, as a compliment to his previous degree in music and his experience as a choral director.

Visual Arts Management

Alicia Telzerow

Seeking a way to continue her artistic practice while positioning herself to make a lasting impact through curatorial and administrative roles in the contemporary arts field, Alicia shares her thoughts on the degree and her specialization in Visual Arts Management.