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The field of arts administration prioritizes experience. The Professional Internship is the required, culminating experience of the MAA and applies and synthesizes coursework. The internship typically occurs during the Summer semester (May-August). The internship site is flexible and can be completed with an organization or in a geographic area of the student’s choosing. Students take ownership in finding and applying for their internships, with the Head of the program approving all internship placements. There are paid internship opportunities available.
Here is list of organizations that hosted student internships for the inaugural MAA cohort, Summer 2021
- Arts West
- Cannabis Museum
- Southeast Ohio History Center
- Cincinnati Art Museum
- Odyssey Associates and White Heron Theatre Company
- Dairy Barn
- West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
- University of Toledo, Department of Music
- Explorium: Denton Children’s Museum
- TheatreWashington
- West Virginia Symphony Orchestra – Parkersburg
- Tantrum Theater
- Zanesville Museum of Art
- Actors Theatre of Louisville
- Stuart’s Opera House
- The Sculpture Center
- Monteux School and Music Festival
MAA Final Capstone Projects and Oral Presentations
A signature of the MAA program is the Final Capstone Project. Students use academic research and apply knowledge and experiences in the field to identify a specific topic of interest. Possible capstone topics might include: Creative Placemaking, Community Engagement, Funding Challenges, Leadership and Strategic Programming, Building Audiences, Socially Engaged Practices, Social Media Policies, Equity and Access in the Arts, Public/Private Partnerships, Collections Management, Board Building, and etcetera.
The project might be research focused, interactive, geared towards problem solving, or community-based in its approach. The purpose is to provide students with the opportunity to both deepen and demonstrate mastery in the field of arts administration and to further tailor the program to their professional practice; building a broad portfolio to take into a career in arts leadership. The Capstone projects are designed to reflect critical thinking, solving challenging problems, and developing skills (communication, public speaking, research, media/social literacy, teamwork, policy, planning, advocacy, etc). Students also prepare a Final Oral Presentation that clearly organizes an overview of their final capstone project. The work is presented to a panel of professionals and scholars working in the field of arts administration.
Inaugural MAA cohort (2020-2021) List of Final Capstone Projects
A Synthesis on Community Engagement in the Arts and Community-Based EventsStudent: Paula Atfield
Split Decisions: The Relationship Between the U.S. Government and Cannabis: The Exhibition and Research of an Arts AdministratorStudent: Rachel Black
From Accession to Exhibit: The Life and Journey of an Object at the Southeast Ohio History CenterStudent: Will Daughters
Restructuring Annual Fund Communications at the Cincinnati Art MuseumStudent: Lauren Gaines
White Heron Theatre CompanyStudent: Lloyda Garrett
Project Funding in Art Organizations: Community Remembrance QuiltStudent: Grace Gribble
Capacity Building for a State Symphony OrchestraStudent: Madeline Helbling
Art Nouveau and the Counterculture Movement: The Evolution of the Modern Poster Student: Tiana Hough
Curriculum Development Plan for The University of Toledo, Department of MusicStudent: Nate Krebs
Foundational Documents: How They Drive the Work of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra - ParkersburgStudent: Kenna McWilliams
Development and Implementation of Play Experiences in a Small to Midsize Children’s MuseumStudent: Sarah Melaragno
Theatre Washington: An Analysis of the Restructuring Process of a Predominantly White InstitutionStudent: Ri Moodie
ARTStart: The Creation of an Arts-Based Preschool Program for a Non-Profit OrganizationStudent: Alexis Parsons
Accessibility in an Appalachian TheaterStudent: Samantha Pelham
ZMA Learn With Us: Impact Study on the Effects of Facilitated Multi-Visit Museum Programs on 4th Grade StudentsStudent: Rebecca Roderer
The Art of Anti-racist Administration: (r)evolution in best practices for a new era of arts leadershipStudent: E.B. Smith
Anti-Racism In the Arts: 5 Questions Arts Administrators Should Ask Themselves And WhyStudent: Devin Sudman
Summer Performing Arts Camp: Reexamining practices for effective engagementStudent: Emily Talley
Creating a Programming Survey for The Sculpture CenterStudent: Alicia Telzerow
Peering Through the Musical Looking Glass of Arts AdministrationStudent: Clayton E. Yoshifuku