Whether they’re selecting a show to watch on a popular streaming platform or heading out to see an in-person local theater production, people constantly interact with visual arts and other art productions in their daily lives. However, not everyone understands the delicate balance of funding opportunities and administrative prowess that goes into making the arts viable.
The Southern Utah University (SUU) online Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Arts Administration Emphasis program gives students in-depth knowledge of the business skills needed to support the arts. Program graduates have the tools to effectively advocate for government and private funding for their organizations and the arts as a whole.
What Does Arts Advocacy Mean?
Simply defined, arts advocacy is the process of establishing and showing public support for the arts in all its forms, according to the Australian arts organization Museums & Galleries of New South Wales. The results of sustained campaigns and advocacy lead to increased financial investment in arts programs, support for existing arts groups and the diversification of the arts world. Becoming an arts advocate can be as simple as sharing why the arts are necessary with friends in person and online or contributing financially when a local arts group requests community support.
Dedicated arts supporters should not view advocacy as solely being a “fan” or “cheerleader” for the arts, according to D. Jack Davis, Ph.D., a renowned Texas arts professor and consultant. Fans and cheerleaders have their roles in ensuring that the arts remain buoyed by public and private investment through enthusiastic, vocal support. Arts administrators are more like members of the team. Unlike fans or cheerleaders, they are on the field with a single-minded focus on winning the game.
An effective administrator serves as the team captain, directing all efforts that allow the team to reach their common goal. They identify a specific cause, research the target audience and how they like to be engaged, and determine which team member should address each task.
As Dr. Davis puts it, the team captain understands the political lay of the land and knows how to connect with the leaders who matter. That could mean political lobbyists with ties to different legislators or learning more about a legislator’s staff members and their backgrounds to find ways to connect over arts funding and causes. Importantly, administrators also bring a level of organization, positivity and professionalism that helps the team sustain their efforts throughout difficult times.
Become a Public Champion for the Arts
Arts organizations have a special role in showing members of Congress and other legislators the ability of the arts to support jobs, engage students and change lives in their districts, according to Americans for the Arts. The national arts group suggests sending invitations for exhibition openings, performances, workshops and other events to legislators. If they cannot attend, request meetings when they return to the district to discuss how they might better engage with arts organizations and the employees they support.
During those meetings, arts advocates can ask lawmakers to join the arts caucuses in their legislative bodies and to support the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the annual appropriations bill. When there are opportunities to expand incentives to bring film productions or other outside investments to the district, advocates can ask lawmakers to become vocal advocates to support them. It is crucial to come to the meeting with relevant statistics, such as the $1.1 trillion that arts and culture brought to the U.S. economy in 2022, according to the Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Pursue an MBA in Arts Administration With Southern Utah University
Students in SUU’s online MBA – Arts Administration Emphasis program complete courses that teach them the ins and outs of policy issues and the administrative responsibilities they can take on as leaders in the field. For example, in Arts Advocacy and Cultural Policy, students learn strategies for engaging with civic, business, state and federal agencies on behalf of the arts. Students learn all they need to know to become empowered advocates through readings, case studies, discussions, professional practice and critical analyses.
The Principles of Arts Administration course also gives students essential organizational leadership, marketing, development and financial management skills by allowing them to create an imaginary project arts organization. Beyond understanding their role in shaping policy and public awareness of the arts, students in SUU’s program learn how they might fit into the wider arts world as they rise within the field.
Learn more about SUU’s online Master of Business Administration – Arts Administration Emphasis program.
