LWC Arts Administration Major Preparing Next Generation of Arts Leaders

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The curtain went up this school year on one of Lindsey Wilson College’s latest undergraduate majors, and the early reviews about it are quite positive.
Lindsey Wilson’s arts administration major enrolled its first students this school year, with the mission to prepare graduates to be leaders in arts organizations. Lindsey Wilson’s program is one of only three undergraduate arts administration programs offered in Kentucky.
“There are scores of arts organizations throughout Kentucky and our region who need strong leadership, and this major will prepare our students to meet those organizations’ needs while also teaching them how to be advocates for the arts in their community,” said theatre professor Robert Brock, who helped create the major.
One of the interdisciplinary major’s strengths is that it draws from other Lindsey Wilson programs, including the college’s robust business, communication and English majors, as from courses in art, journalism and music. That well-rounded education will make arts administration graduates even more appealing to prospective employers, according to Brock.
Arts administration majors choose an emphasis in music, theatre or writing, and many students will double major in subjects such as art, communication, English or theatre to further strengthen their resumes.
That is the case for Shiane Lussier of Bremen, Kentucky. The junior from Muhlenberg County added arts administration as a second major to theatre after attending a theatre field trip that Brock led to Chicago last year.
“While we were walking in Chicago, Robert was pointing out different arts places in the city and saying, ‘All these places need an arts administrator to lead them,’” she said. “Robert also pointed out to me the many places I could go and the many things I could do with an arts administration major.”
In fact, Lussier didn’t become a theatre major until she became involved with Lindsey Wilson theatre productions as a freshman. She initially started as a double major in human services and psychology.
“When I got to Lindsey Wilson, I was like, ‘I want to make friends outside of my classes,’ so I got involved in theatre,” said Lussier, who kept psychology as a minor. “I absolutely fell in love with it, and decided to major in it.”
Sabrina Ruiz of Louisville, Kentucky, has been involved with theatre wth middle school. For her, the arts administration major is a perfect way to strengthen and broaden her career options.
“I knew I wanted to do something in theatre, so I looked for a major that paired with it,” said Ruiz, who is also a music minor. “By having the arts administration major, I will learn about the different ways you can get into the arts and work your way up.”
Lussier and Ruiz said they have enjoyed their first arts administration classes, especially “Foundations of Arts Administration,” which they took last fall and they said gave them valuable insights into the diverse opportunities in the profession.
They said that it helps that Brock, who has been a professional actor and managed professional arts organizations, plays a major part in the arts administration major.
“Robert’s knowledge and experiences are really amazing,” said Lussier. “He provides a really great perspective, and you learn so much from him.”

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