OU to Offer New Arts Management/Arts Administration Academic Program within College of Fine Arts

Beginning in Fall 2008, the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts will offer courses in Arts Management/Arts Administration, adding a new dimension to its extensive offerings in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Musical Theatre.

These courses are designed to offer performers and artists another career option during their performance years and after, said Andrew Phelan, director of the Arts Management/Arts Administration program. The courses are available to both graduates and undergraduates as either a graduate concentration or as an undergraduate minor within existing degree programs in the schools and departments of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts.

“These comprehensive course offerings and the varied internships available will give performers and artists the skills necessary to sustain a career in the arts,” said Phelan. “In addition, just as it is important to retain Oklahoma graduates in the fields of business, science and technology, the same is true for our graduates in the arts.”

“As one of the initial events of this program, we will host a Roundtable discussion with leaders in the arts community,” continued Phelan. “This roundtable event will give leaders of arts organizations an opportunity to discuss ways to ensure the cultural richness of Oklahoma communities and to share their professional experiences with fine arts students.”

According to Phelan, the public roundtable event will be located in Pitman Recital Hall of Catlett Music Center on April 28 at 1 p.m. Students and the general public are invited to attend. Confirmed special guests include Richard Lane of the Tulsa Ballet, OU alum Rich Taylor and Douglas Newell of the Enid Symphony Orchestra.

For more information on the April 28 roundtable or the Arts Management/Arts Administration program, please contact Andrew Phelan at (405) 325-2961. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call (405) 325-4101.