Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE)
The AEMM department is a member of the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), the preeminent international organization serving academic programs in arts and cultural management, research, and policy. AEMM has helped craft the AAAE standards listed below and seeks to educate AEMM students in accordance with them.
The relationship AEMM has with AAAE enhances AEMM’s international stature in providing an arts management program committed to academic excellence and the high professional standards adopted by AAAE.
Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) Standards
In 2002, the AAAE subscribed to standards for the fields. This statement is reproduced here:
The purpose of this
document is to outline standards to which AAAE member programs aspire and
endeavor to achieve, regardless of the specific emphasis of the program. The
programs that comprise AAAE are diverse in nature, for example some focus on
not-for-profit organizations, some focus on profit making industries, some on
government agencies, or a combination of these. Some programs are discipline
specific, dedicated to theater or visual arts management; some offer a more
eclectic approach. Nevertheless, similar academic objectives may be achieved through
curricula with different structures and approaches. Undergraduate curricula
combine general education and basic study of the practice of arts
administration. Graduate curricula provide a distinctly professional
perspective, preparing students to assume leadership and management
responsibilities in the field.
The Fundamentals
Each program should have instructional resources to provide both theoretical and practical education in arts management; a professional network to support practicum and/or internship experiences and employment opportunities; and a strong relationship with the cultural community.
Both undergraduate and graduate curricula should provide an understanding of the context for managing arts and cultural organizations:
The roles of the arts and artists in society
The economic, political, and social environment for the arts – not-for-profit, for-profit, and government
The impact of demographic change and diversity
The local and national arenas in which arts organizations exist
The function of the arts within an international environment
The ethical issues confronting arts managers
Undergraduate Programs
In addition to the fundamentals, undergraduate programs should provide students with a broad liberal arts perspective and understanding of the creative process, and specialized knowledge of arts administration. Students should have a strong foundation in critical thinking, in oral and written communication, basic research methodologies, and an appreciation of teamwork and group dynamics.
When completing an undergraduate degree, graduates should possess basic knowledge in following areas of arts administration:
Business skills: accounting, financial management, organizational theory and practice
Financial needs and realities of arts organizations
Producing and presenting art
Marketing and audience development strategies for the Arts
Education and community outreach for the arts
Funding and human resource development for the arts
