GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS announces new MASTER OF ARTS MANAGEMENT program Creating Arts Leaders of the Future

George Mason University, outside Washington, DC announces the formation of a new graduate program in Arts Management capitalizing on the university's proximity to the many arts organizations and venues in the Washington, DC area as well as its own professional venue The Center for the Arts

(PRWEB) March 20 2004—The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) announced today the approval of the creation of a Master of Arts Management Program (MAM) at George Mason Universitys College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). SCHEV is the Commonwealth's coordinating body for higher education, whose mission is the review of new academic programs in Virginias public institutions. "Were delighted to learn the program has been approved by SCHEV," commented Master of Arts Management program director Dr. Meg Brindle. And, says Brindle, "We at the College of Visual and Performing Arts had every confidence the program would clear this final hurdle and become a reality. Weve already had lots of interest from prospective students," and Professor Brindle says, "in reviewing applications Ive seen a variety of interests ranging from theater to gallery management, event coordination, and development."

"The Master of Arts Management prepares students to marry their passion in the arts to a wide range of career options," explains Dr. Brindle. And because of its proximity to Washington, D.C. – whose metro area is home to the nations third largest concentration of performing and visual arts organizations – Brindle sees ever expanding opportunities developing for MAM students in management, finance, development, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

The flexibility of this degree program serves the needs of full-time students as well as those of the working professional. Offering a core curriculum in the fundamentals of arts management with a strong emphasis on internal and external internships, this combination of academic study and professional experience creates an unparalleled preparation for a successful career in the arts. Professional guided internships are expected to be available at George Masons Center for the Arts, the multi-venue, professional performing arts organization on the universitys Fairfax campus as well as at diverse organizations and arts partners of CVPA/CFA in and around Washington, D.C. With a core faculty including experts in the numerous elements of an arts management career, students in this program reap the benefits of knowledgeable instructors, combined with the hands-on experience.

The faculty includes CVPA Dean William Reeder, CVPA Associate Dean and Center for the Arts Artistic Director Dr. Rick Davis, Dr. William Kamenitzer, founder and director of Succession USA, a consulting firm specializing in non-profit management and accounting; Linda Miller, chair of Masons Department of Dance, and Dr. Scott Martin, chair of the Department of Art and Visual Technology, among other professionals recruited from the arts management arena.

Dr. Meg Brindle, previously on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon Universitys M.B.A. and Policy schools; has taught more than 90 courses in management, strategy, policy, and ethics; and published several books. Dr. Brindle brings an extensive background and success in developing numerous executive education, Ph.D., and graduate-level curriculums with her in creating and overseeing this dynamic new program.

For more information on the program and application instructions visit http://www.gmu.edu/cvpa/artsmanagement/
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The College of Visual and Performing Arts exists to create an academic environment in which the arts may be considered both as individual disciplines and as interdisciplinary forms that strengthen each other. Believing that an education in the arts is deepened by regular contact with the work of distinguished visiting artists, the College draws on a variety of professional presenting and producing units where artists from across the country and around the world regularly perform, give master classes, work with students during extended residencies, and interact with the community in a variety of other ways. These programs at the Center for the Arts Concert Hall, TheaterSpace, Galleries, Harris Theater, and other venues, provide a diverse selection of challenging and entertaining cultural experiences for the University community, as well as Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C. area. The College houses four academic departments: Art and Visual Technology, Dance, Music and Theater.