What is the best program for me?

There are three major UI programs for undergraduates wishing to study arts entrepreneurship and arts management.  The following guide will highlight the strengths of each program. 

But first, what is the difference between arts entrepreneurship and arts management?  Arts Management is the traditional term for the field of applying leadership principles to an arts organization.  Arts Entrepreneurship is the newer and more popular term that emphasizes that an arts entrepreneur doesn't just rely on old methods of running an arts organization but is open to new business principles and technologies.  Hopefully every arts manager is also an arts entrepreneur.  As far as University of Iowa programs go, the two terms are synonymous.

Arts Management Emphasis

The Emphasis is part of the Business Studies Track of Interdepartmental Studies.  Interdepartmental Studies offers its own B.A. in Business Studies and you can choose to specialize in the field of arts management.  This emphasis is ideal for undergraduate students who have begun their studies in the Business School and want to add an arts component.  You must have at least sophomore status (30 s.h.) in order to declare this major.  Most students who choose this program have a foundation in business and are just starting classes in the visual and performing arts.  Interdepartmental Studies also offer the option of designing an individualized plan of study.  If you have any questions about the Emphasis or the Individualized Plan of Study, please contact Dave Gould.

Performing Arts Entrepreneurship Major

PAE was a full B.A. major offered by the Division of Performing Arts.  The PAE major was closed by the Iowa Board of Regents in the summer of 2008 and no new students may enroll.  Students currently enrolled in the major have until July 27, 2012 to complete their degree.  The reason for phasing out this major is that many arts entrepreneurs do not have a strong secondary field of interest (which was required) and the entrepreneurship studies component offers only an introduction to the field.  Rather than expand the requirements of this major, which could force students to spend more than 4 years earning the degree, the Division of Performing Arts recommends a new certificate program....

Performing Art Entrepreneurship Certificate

The Division of Performing Arts launched this new Certificate in August 2008.   This program is ideal for an undergraduate student with no business background who is studying at least one of the performing arts.  Unlike the other two options, this program is not a full major, but a 20-24 s.h. certificate that can be added to any major.  We strongly recommend a full major in Dance, Music, or Theatre, but the Certificate only requires that you take three 100+ level courses in one of the performing arts.  The certificate also improves the exposure to business studies lacking in the PAE major: the certificate contains 6 entrepreneurship/arts leadership courses.  For more information on the old major and the new certificate, please contact David McGraw.

But what about the Visual Artists?

The School of Art and Art History is currently developing its own certificate/emphasis in arts management.  Please check with your advisor for updates on this new program.  All Art & Art History students are also welcome to pursue the Performing Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate.  The courses in the certificate are all business or arts leadership based and therefore apply to both the visual and performing arts.  But you must complete three 100+ performing arts courses in order to earn the PAE certificate.

Doesn't the Tippie Business School offer an Entrepreneurship Certificate?

Yes, in fact, all of our business courses are taught by Tippie faculty and we modeled our certificate on their award-winning program.  The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center offers a 18-20 s.h. Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management.  The JPEC certificate is ideal for students interested in the broader field of Entrepreneurial Studies.  One advantage of this partnership between the Division of Performing Arts and JPEC is that both certificates share 4 core courses.  So you can choose your certificate once you have taken the fundamental courses.  For more information on the Entrepreneurship courses and certificate, please contact David Hensley.