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Arts Management & Entrepreneurship

Conservatory of Performing Arts

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OVERVIEW

Elevate your talent, creativity and passion for the arts to the next level through Baldwin Wallace's distinctive arts management & entrepreneurship major.

BW's strategically designed program gives you the skills needed to become an artistic leader of tomorrow. With dual-benefit emphasis in business and the arts, the program gives you a fundamental and comprehensive palette of creative, analytical and entrepreneurial skills you can apply to not-for-profit and for-profit sectors.

Experience is key to your education. With three required internships and a senior capstone project, you'll develop and hone skills through real-world-focused activities that put you alongside professionals at Cleveland's premier venues - Playhouse Square, Cleveland Museum of Art, Rock and Roll Hall Fame, Cleveland Orchestra and more.

Through these experiences, you'll learn strategic and operational tactics for successful marketing, development, management and fundraising.

  • Photo showing BW students at Playhouse Square- showing downtown Cleveland internship opportunity

    The largest performing arts complex in the U.S. outside of New York City, Playhouse Square is the primary artistic partner of the BW arts management & entrepreneurship major. BW students can be found interning there as well as with other major arts-affiliated organizations in nearby Cleveland and across the nation.

  • Clint Needham with student

    Small classes, personalized attention and faculty mentoring are a key part of BW's arts management & entrepreneurship major. Conservatory of Performing Arts faculty are established professionals with real-world experience, impressive credentials and networking connections. The faculty-student ratio is 7:1 for the Conservatory of Performing Arts.

  • photo of Steinway piano

    BW is among an elite list of conservatories worldwide boasting an All-Steinway School classification. This distinction elevates a student's learning experience by having lessons and performance opportunities be on the same quality instruments that are the standard in concert halls.

  • Photo of Boesel Musical Arts Center

    Striking Boesel Musical Arts Center is a four-building complex that houses 50 soundproofed practice rooms, instructional space, practice studios and impressive rehearsal halls that can accommodate the latest technologies for teaching and performance.

  • BW faculty who are members of the Cleveland Orchestra

    BW's undergraduate-only Conservatory provides students with valuable opportunities to perform, compose, conduct, teach and manage. Alumni are employed with renowned organizations and are attending top graduate schools. Pictured here are BW faculty who are members of the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Arts management & entrepreneurship graduates are employed in marketing, public relations, development, operations, fundraising, curatorial, front-of-house and education departments of not-for-profit and for-profit arts organizations, including:

  • Concert venues
  • Record labels
  • Symphony orchestras
  • Theater, opera and ballet companies
  • Private dance studios
  • Art museums and galleries
  • National, state and local arts councils
  • Foundations
  • Broadcast and cable television stations
  • Film companies

According to the latest report from Americans for the Arts, the nonprofit arts industry produced more than four million jobs and generated $135 billion of economic activity.

BW Named Top Music Business School by Billboard

BW is featured on Billboard magazine's "2020 Top Music Business Schools" list, citing BW's innovative courses, industry connections and successful alumni.

Focused on Your Creative Interests

Through course electives, internships and a required arts-related minor or double major, you can tailor your studies to focus on art, creative writing, dance, film studies, music or theatre.

Outstanding Career Connections

BW's arts management & entrepreneurship major connects you to established and well respected arts professionals both inside and outside the classroom. You'll benefit from taking classes and working with faculty who are part of BW's renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts, Carmel Boyer School of Business, and department of theatre and dance.

Innovative, Proven Program

As a trailblazer in the field for over 30 years, BW has prepared students for rewarding and meaningful arts management & entrepreneurship careers. In 2015, BW revised the program and launched the nation's first-ever arts management & entrepreneurship major that continues the tradition of providing students with an outstanding education.

CURRICULUM

Dynamic coursework coupled with required internships and a senior capstone project give you a comprehensive learning experience. There is a required arts-related minor or double major for the arts management & entrepreneurship major. An arts management minor is also offered.

BW's faculty are practitioners in their field with decades of experience. They'll help you construct a career-ready resume and impressive portfolio that showcases your experiences, skills and work samples.

The arts management & entrepreneurship major prepares students to:

  • Apply management principles in an arts environment
  • Demonstrate ability to lead and manage arts programs, organizations and institutions
  • Demonstrate ability to manage financial function of an arts organization
Course Catalog

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through internships, co-curricular activities and other learning opportunities.

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

The largest performing arts complex in the U.S. outside of New York City, Playhouse Square is the primary artistic partner of the BW arts management & entrepreneurship major. Throughout your four years, you will learn about the organization's unique operating model and interact with its professionals. Each spring, BW arts management & entrepreneurship students work with Playhouse Square staff to produce its annual International Children's Theater Festival.

INTERNSHIPS

Three internships are required of the arts management & entrepreneurship major, one on-campus and two off-campus. You are encouraged to participate in additional internships. Your career goals are central to your internship placement. Your BW advisor and the director of the program will help you choose sites that connect you to professionals in your area of interest. Past students have interned at:

Agora Theater and Ballroom (OH)
Akron Symphony Orchestra (OH)
Art House (OH)
Ashland Community Arts Center (OH)
Beck Center for the Arts (OH)
Berea Arts Fest, Inc. (OH)
Brother's Lounge (OH)
Cain Park (OH)
Center for Theater Arts (PA)
Central City Opera (CO)
The Cincinnati Ballet (OH)
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater (OH)
Cleveland Foundation (OH)
The Cleveland Institute of Art (OH)
Cleveland International Film Festival (OH)
The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (OH)
The Cleveland Museum of Art (OH)
The Cleveland Orchestra (OH)
The Cleveland Play House (OH)
Cleveland Pops Orchestra (OH)
Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (OH)
Concord Music Group (OH)
Contemporary American Theatre Festival (WV)
Csardas Dance Company (OH)
Dance by Gloria (OH)
Erie Playhouse (PA)
Glimmerglass Opera House (NY)
Great Lakes Theater (OH)
Heinz History Center (PA)
House of Blues Cleveland / Live Nation (OH)
Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI)
Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts (KY)
Lake Metroparks (OH)
Love Leaf Press (IL)
Marion Palace Theatre (OH)
Museum of Contemporary Art - Cleveland (OH)
Music and Performing Arts at Trinity Cathedral, Inc. (OH)
National Endowment for the Arts (Washington, D.C.)
New Albany Arts Council (OH)
New York Stage and Film (NY)
Ohio Dance (OH)
Ohio Light Opera (OH)
Opera in the Ozarks (AR)
PBS/WVIZ Ideastream (OH)
Peabody's Entertainment (OH)
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (PA)
Pittsburgh Opera (PA)
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PA)
Playhouse Square (OH)
Rabbit Run Community Arts Association (OH)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (OH)
Sankofa Fine Arts Plus (OH)
Sculpture Center (OH)
Shattered Glass Theatre Company (IL)
Showstopper Camps of America (IL)
The Singing Angels (OH)
Sony Entertainment (CA)
SPACES Gallery (OH)
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough, England)
The Talent Group (OH)
Toledo Museum of Art (OH)
Toledo Symphony (OH)
Unicorn Theatre for Children (London, England)
Walt Disney World (FL)
Waterstreet Music Hall (NY)
The Wolstein Center (OH)

SENIOR CAPSTONE

During your final spring semester, you'll participate in the senior capstone. This leading opportunity will provide you with final professional development and preparation for the job market. You'll be part of a team that produces a show at Playhouse Square and assumes the roles of marketing directors, operations managers and education directors. You'll make real-world decisions and see the results of your efforts.

ARTS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Take your education to the next step with the BW Arts Management Association (AMA). This real-world-focused organization helps develop your interests in art, creative writing, dance, film, music and theatre. Each year, members travel to a major arts hub (Nashville, New York City or Chicago) to meet with arts leaders. This exciting experience enables you to build relationships with established professionals and learn more about potential careers. Numerous workshops, fundraisers, events, and panel discussions sponsored by AMA throughout the year enable you to build skills and networking connections.

GUEST ARTISTS

Guest artists visit BW for workshops and presentations throughout the year. This is a great way for you to learn more about the field, connect with professionals and grow your network of contacts in preparation for future internship and job opportunities. Recent guests include:

Corey Atkins, Artistic Associate for Engagement, Cleveland Play House
Janet Barlow, Director of the Stocker Arts Center, Lorain County Community College
Renee Boerner, Assistant Director of Inside Sales and Service, Playhouse Square
Larry Bole, Marketing Director, Telarc & Head Up Records, Concord Music Group
Kathleen Cerveny, Director of Evaluation and Institutional Learning, The Cleveland Foundation
Richard Cihlar, Founder and Owner, Pop Shop Gallery
Charlotta Enflo, Executive Director, Dobama Theatre
Bill Guentzler, Artistic Director, Cleveland International Film Festival
Daniel Hahn, Education Director, Great Lakes Theater
Hadden Hippsley, President and CEO, Lambda Productions, Inc.
Joan Katz Napoli, Director of Education and Community Programs, The Cleveland Orchestra
Terry Liu, Arts Education Specialist, National Endowment for the Arts
Heather Meeker, Executive Director, Musical Theater Project
Karen Gahl Mills, Executive Director, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Thom Moore, Grammy award-winning Producer, Five/Four Productions
John Mullaney, Executive Director, Nord Family Foundation
Lauren Onkey, Vice President of Education and Public Programs, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Katie Rose, Promotions Manager, House of Blues Cleveland / Live Nation
Doug Snyder, Broadcast Division Agent, The Talent Group
Jill Snyder, Executive Director, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA)
Eugenia Strauss, Executive Director, City Music Cleveland
Bob Taylor, Executive Director, Great Lakes Theater
Anita Tucker, Founder, where4ARThou Marketing
Gina Vernaci, Senior Vice President for Theatre Operations, Playhouse Square
Thomas Welsh, Associate Director of Music, Cleveland Museum of Art
Lora Workman, Education / Community Liaison, Playhouse Square

ALUMNI SUCCESS

At Baldwin Wallace, you'll experience personal and professional growth in a supportive community that challenges and inspires you to succeed.

BW was profiled by MajoringInMusic.com in an article titled "Career Options in Arts Management."

Senior Steven Vaccaro '15, was recognized by national fraternity Phi Kappa Tau as a "leader of tomorrow."

Deidra Silbila '00, received a "Generation Next" award from Venues Today magazine.

Senior arts management student Nick Wilders '15, was chosen for a highly competitive Cleveland Foundation-supported internship at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this summer.

LeAundra Richardson '14 is arts administration fellow at the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) in Cleveland. LeAundra credits internship experiences through BW for helping her develop personally and professionally. She is a native of Oberlin, Ohio (Oberlin High School).

Harmony Hodges '13 is individual giving and data associate with the Pittsburgh Opera in Pittsburgh, Pa. Harmony credits the experience she gained as a BW student and the connections she made through BW faculty for helping her earn a job near her hometown of Mars, Pa. (Mars Area High School).

Kelsey Ferguson '12 is subscriptions representative for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. As a BW student, she did internships in the Conservatory's special events office and at Playhouse Square. The Denver, Colo., native attended the Denver School of the Arts.

Jake Sinatra '12 is program associate with the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture in Cleveland. He is a native of Jamestown, N.Y. (Jamestown High School). Jake had valuable internship and on-campus opportunities for writing, social media and media relations. He also networked through his BW connections.

Recent BW Arts Management Entrepreneurship majors are finding their success at:

Christina (Aldrich) Fagan '10, executive director, Union Home Foundation
Beth Bilek-Golias '87, Ph.D., AIA, president - Bilek Golias Architects | Facilities Manager - Bilek Enterprises
Nathan Carr '12, events manager, Market Garden Brewery, Bar Cento, McNulty's Bier Market, Speakeasy & Nano Brew
Martins Daukss '09, production associate, Apollo's Fire
Amanda Drury '10, East Africa program associate, Ipas
Neil Fullerton '12, events & marketing coordinator, St. Madeleine Sophie's Center
Victoria Gray '12, development assistant, Playhouse Square
Erika Haskell '97, concerts & events manager, Baldwin Wallace
Katie Heilakka '10, assistant to the principal, Toledo School of the Arts
Jesse Hernandez '04, program manager, General Operating Support, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Judith Horvath '83, assistant director, Czardas Dance Company
Cory Isler '12, coordinator, education and nonprofit engagement, Business Volunteers Unlimited
Lisa Judge '00, associate director of alumni engagement, Baldwin Wallace
Karen Kannenberg '86, manager of gift and donor development, Cleveland Metroparks
Terry Kurtz '91, director of philanthropic gifts, Hathaway Brown School
Marilyn Ladd-Simmons '88, gallery oracle, SPACES Gallery
Jennifer Andrews Markovich '00, territory manager for undergraduate admissions, The Ohio State University
Michelle Matrale '10, special events, Filmings and Conventions Creative Costuming Assistant, Disney Event Group
M.J. Mennella '77, former vice president for music, Fox Entertainment; Founder, Music Asset Management
Adam Miltner '11, marketing coordinator, Playhouse Square
Kristen Muslusky '08, assistant subscription services manager, Cleveland Play House
Jen Naso '96, founder and owner, Dance Dimensions Dance Studio
Kelly Davis-Parks '90, owner and director, Medina Center for Dance Art
Megan (Poletti) Kuhar '08, assistant professor of music technology, Baldwin Wallace; founder & creative director, heypoletti! recordings LLC
Brendan Reynolds '08, corporate and foundation relations officer, Kent State University
Sonny Russo '10, marketing assistant, University of Delaware's Resident Ensemble Players/Professional Theatre Training Program
Kelsey Schaefer '13, property manager, Dwellworks
Deidra Sibila '00, ticketing director, C3 Presents
Hannah Schlueter '10, LaunchNet program manager, Baldwin Wallace
Theresa Schneider '07, development manager, Gordon Square Arts District
Valerie Schumacher '08, program associate, Community Partnership for Arts and Culture
Steve Smith '86, executive director, Revels of Boston
Katie Sprang '12, retail development manager, Chattem Inc.
Sarah Stengel '11, partners membership coordinator, Playhouse Square
Alison Tomin '10, patron services & box office coordinator, Apollo's Fire
Scott Walton '81, owner, Scott Walton Group
Katie Zavatchan '10, fundraising coordinator, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Cleveland Chapter
Steve Smith '86, Executive Director of Seattle Men's Chorus / Seattle Women's Chorus

FACULTY

Bryan Bowser

Associate Dean, Theatre Arts & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University

Bryan Bowser

Ross Binnie

Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Southern Methodist University

Ross Binnie

Kathleen Cerveny

Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
M.F.A., University of Southern Maine

Kathleen Cerveny

Patricia Egan

Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Cleveland State University

Patricia Egan

Erika Haskell

Lecturer of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
B.A., Baldwin Wallace University

Erika Haskell

Sean Murphy

Assistant Professor of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
D.M.A., University of North Texas

Sean Murphy

Adam Sheldon

Assistant Provost
M.S.N., Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatrics, Kent State University

Adam Sheldon

Full-Time Faculty

Bryan Bowser
Associate Dean, Theatre Arts & Entrepreneurship
Program Director & Associate Professor, Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University

Sean Murphy
Assistant Professor of Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
D.M.A., University of North Texas

Adjunct Faculty

Ross Binnie
Lecturer in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Southern Methodist University

Kathleen Cerveny
Lecturer in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
M.F.A., University of Southern Maine

Patricia Egan
Lecturer in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Cleveland State University

Erika Haskell
Concerts and Events Manager
Lecturer in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
B.A., Baldwin Wallace University

Adam Sheldon
Director, Community Music School
Lecturer in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship
MBA, Baldwin Wallace University