Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy at Ohio State
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AAEP prepares future educators, researchers, and leaders in the areas of art education, arts policy and administration, and museum education.
The mission of the Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy is to critically engage cultural meaning through excellence in research, policy, teaching, and leadership that fosters social change and advances the public interest through the arts and visual culture. Our programs promote understanding of the arts and visual culture for all students through a curriculum that is research-b
ased, interdisciplinary, and intent on collaboration with communities both within and outside the University, state, nation, and world. We emphasize understanding of arts and culture, especially visual culture, in a global, culturally diverse, and technological society. This content is explored through the following: pedagogical theory and practices; critical inquiry of historical and contemporary artworks; the analysis of public and educational policy in the arts and cultures; and inquiry in the philosophical, historical, and policy foundations of art education, arts management, and cultural policy administration. Our curriculum includes attention to understanding multimedia technologies in cultural production, critique of policies, teaching, learning, assessment, and awareness of comparative international practice. The scope of the Department’s undergraduate offerings includes general education and courses for elementary classroom teachers. The Department offers a Bachelor of Art Education degree program that provides undergraduate students with a well-rounded liberal arts education, intensive studies in visual culture, and significant preparatory course work in the theory and practice of art education. The Department also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management degree program that provides undergraduate students with in depth studies in arts and cultural institutions, leadership strategies, and management practices. The Department has taken the lead in the development of an undergraduate minor in entrepreneurship and the arts in collaboration with the Fisher College of Business. Graduate programs include courses for experienced teachers; a Master’s degree in arts policy and administration carried out in collaboration with the John Glenn School of Public Affairs; a set of museum education courses; professional development for in-service teachers and school administrators; and a wide array of doctoral research specializations. The Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy prepares educators, researchers, administrators and policy makers for research and practice in the interdisciplinary field of art education through its integrated, multifaceted programs and collaborations within and outside the University. Key goals are to prepare students to lead through the arts, to function as a critical and informed citizenry, to advance the public interest with regard to opportunity, diversity, effective public policy, social justice, and creativity. Through these endeavors the Department maintains its position of excellence at the local, state, national and international levels in the areas of research, teaching and service.
05/07/2026
Ohio State's University Outreach and Engagement Awards honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact. This year, two members of AAEP were honored as recipients.
Congratulations to Dr. Rachel Skaggs on receiving the Community Engaged Scholar Award and graduate student Iyana Hill on receiving the Community Engaged Graduate Student Award!
The Community Engaged Scholar Award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated co-created engaged scholarship that has positively impacted communities. Community Engaged Scholars have made significant contribution to Ohio State's culture of engagement, further establishing and strengthening the institution's commitment to communities. The Community Engaged Graduate Student Award recognizes graduate students who have demonstrated engaged scholarship that has positively impacted communities through their research, scholarship and service.
Congratulations, Dr. Skaggs and Iyana!
04/30/2026
Congratulations to Ian Zhao on the successful defense of his thesis, “A Glimpse into the Sustainability Transformation of Performing Arts in the UK, USA, and China”. Ian is pictured with committee member Dr. Zülâl Fazlioğlu Akin and advisor Dr. Rachel Skaggs.
Next up for Ian? Returning to AAEP and embarking on his PhD journey. Please join us in sending Ian a big congratulations!
04/10/2026
We were just kidding when we said we were rounding out our week of celebrating recent defenses because we have one more to share!
Congratulations to Mary Sundermeier who yesterday successful defended her thesis, "Culture-Led Redevelopment and Real Estate Outcomes: Evidence from East Franklinton". Mary will be graduating from the Arts Policy and Administration MA program in a few short weeks.
Mary is pictured with advisor Dr. Shoshanah Goldberg-Miller and committee member Dr. Tiffany Bourgeois. Please join us in congratulating Mary!
04/09/2026
Rounding out our week of celebrating our student defenses is Maya Anderson. Last Friday, Maya successful defended her dissertation, "How Museums Integrate Technological Advancements into Curatorial Practice and Audience Engagement." Maya will graduate from the APA program with our Museum Education and Administration specialization and the Department of History of Art's Contemporary Art and Curatorial Practice certificate.
Maya is pictured with advisor Dr. Tiffany Bourgeois and committee member Dr. Dana Carlisle Kletchka.
Congratulations, Maya!
04/08/2026
Today we celebrate Lydia Gokey and the successful defense of her thesis, “Struggle to Survival: Participatory Action Research in a Crisis Housing Center Using Trauma-Informed Pedagogy". Lydia will graduate from AAEP's Art Education MA program with a specialization in Museum Education and Administration.
Lydia is pictured with advisor Dr. Richard Finlay Fletcher and committee member Dr. Ketal Patel. Congratulations to Lydia!
04/07/2026
Congratulations to Kenia LaMarr on the successful defense of her thesis, “Transformative Power of Creativity and Expression: An Observational Study of the Role of Creative Spaces in Fostering Wellness in Vulnerable Communities”! Kenia is pictured with advisor Dr. Rachel Skaggs and committee member Dr. Dana Carlisle Kletchka. Kenia will graduate from AAEP's Arts Policy and Administration MA program with a specialization in Museum Education and Administration.
Join us in congratulating Kenia on a successful thesis defense!
04/06/2026
This week we'll be highlighting the work of several students who have recently defended their thesis or dissertation.
First up is Lingran Zhang! The newly minted Dr. Zhang defended her dissertation, "Woven Across Screens and Distance: A Museum-NPO-School Network for Rural Education" on April 1st. Lingran is pictured with committee members Dr. Rachel Skaggs, Dr. Dana Carlisle Kletchka (advisor), and Dr. Clayton Funk.
Please join us in sending a hearty congratulations to Dr. Zhang as she closes out her academic journey with AAEP!This week we'll be highlighting several students who have recently defended their thesis or dissertation.
03/26/2026
Congratulations to Arts Administration, Education and Policy (AAEP) student Lydia Gokey on being named the 2026 AAEP Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate recipient! Lydia will be honored at the annual Barkan and Marantz Award Ceremony on April 20, 2026 for her work teaching ARTEDUC 2600: Visual Culture: Representation and Society, a course she has taught since the autumn 2024 semester.
Lydia will graduate with her Master of Arts in Art Education this coming May. She previously graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Art Management from AAEP in May of 2024, with minors in History of Art and Studio Art. Throughout her time at Ohio State, she has worked at a variety of galleries in the Columbus area, including OSU's Urban Arts Space and non-profit arts organization Wild Goose Creative. Her primary research focus is on curriculum development and building, specifically around unhoused and vulnerable youth in the Central Ohio area. Her goal is do develop curriculum to increase arts access to all student populations. Additionally, Lydia serves as the Interim Vice President for the Council of Graduate Students at Ohio State.
03/25/2026
Arts Administration, Education and Policy (AAEP) PhD candidate Lynn Robinson has been named the 2026 Manuel Barkan Dissertation Fellowship Award. Lynn holds an M.A. in Heritage Preservation/Public History from Georgia State University and a B.A. in History/Peace, War, and Defense from the University of North Carolina.
Lynn will be recognized at the 2026 Barkan and Marantz Award Ceremony on April 20, 2026. The Manuel Barkan Dissertation Fellowship was established in 1995 in the name of the first chair of the department by his wife, Toby Barkan Willits. This competitive award supports the academic and living expenses of a doctoral candidate in Art Education who is completing their dissertation.
03/18/2026
This October!
Join as at The Ohio State in October! Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy at Ohio State
05/07/2026
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