Arts Management at AU

Arts Management faculty member Andrew Taylor explains and explores President Trump's announcement to close the Kennedy Center for two years of reconstruction.

Trump wants to shutter the Kennedy Center for 2 years – an arts management professor explains what that portends While the center’s need for major upgrades is real, the dramatic and disruptive closure of the entire campus isn’t in order, a scholar of arts institutions explains.

Congratulations to AU Arts Management student Lia Latty on opening night of her curated photography exhibit - The Everyday: Scenes in Baltimore - now showing at Charm City Cultural Cultivation. Fellow students and faculty were on-site to celebrate and support her amazing work.

A new group of AU Arts Management students arrived in London for the Sotheby's Art Business intensive – a full-semester dive into art and art markets. Joining the fun this semester are Junyoung Choi, Reagan Crittenden, Julia DeCumber, and Nwakaego Ugwuanyi.

Two powerhouse women running major cultural institutions in Puerto Rico share the entrepreneurial strategies that keep the arts alive when traditional support systems collapse. This candid conversation reveals how creative leaders are reimagining community engagement, turning scarcity into innovation, and building bridges between artists and audiences in ways that might just transform the entire cultural landscape.

S3 E1 | María Cristina Gaztambide y Raquel Vázquez Varela | Museos y Teatros | Puerto Rico Read a transcript of this episode here.

Who creates beauty, opportunities, fights narco-traffickers and misogyny, builds schools, and smashes glass ceilings? Latina and Latin American woman-identifying arts managers, of course! A new series of Gestoras is launching on November 7 - read Reine Saint-Amour's interview of founder Ximena Varela about what prompted the podcast's creation, and what to expect in season 3!🎉

Centering Women in Cultural Management: A Conversation with Ximena Varela As Gestoras launches its third season, we spoke with founder and executive producer Ximena Varela about the podcast’s origins, reach, and its mission to amplify women’s voices in the arts.

Read all about our 50th anniversary in this article from AU!

Half a Century of Impact: AU’s Arts Management Program Turns 50 MA Program commemorates milestone with reflections on the field’s past and future

After months of dedication and hard work, two of our peers are preparing to present their thesis defenses this Friday. This marks a significant milestone in their academic journey, and we are excited to witness their achievements.

Eliza Drake: 10:00 AM
Anush Titanyan: 11:00 AM

Best of luck to both!

Yesterday, AU ’25 Jasmine Watkins took the stand at the DC Council to advocate for Out of School Time educational opportunities for children as part of her role as Arts Education Specialist at Project Create Arts Center.

Her testimony highlighted the need for robust government support to provide DC youth with access to enriching and creative environments that help them thrive. Jasmine emphasized that equitable access to arts education is vital for empowering the next generation of changemakers and building a more inclusive future for our communities!

✨Did you know? The Arts Management Program at American University has a rich history, founded in 1974 by Valerie Morris as one of the first in the nation.

Originally housed in the Kreeger Music Building, it found its home at the Katzen Arts Center when it opened in 2005. Thanks to a generous gift, Katzen became a hub for visual and performing arts, fostering collaboration across disciplines like Art History, Music, Dance, and more.

Our Survey & Seminar students had an incredible evening touring the stunning venues of Strathmore Music Center and engaging in an insightful conversation with alumna Monica Jeffries Hazangeles, President/CEO of Strathmore.

She shared valuable insights on leadership, the power of networking and cultivating meaningful connections, building a competitive board, fostering partnerships, as well as navigating the opportunities and challenges of .

Join us in celebrating 50 Years of Arts Leadership at American University’s Arts Management Salon on October 28th, 6pm at Katzen Arts Center! ✨

We’re marking the 50th anniversary of AU’s Arts Management Program with a special leadership discussion and reception. Hear from alumni, faculty, and industry leaders, including program founder Valerie Morris and emeritus faculty Sherburne Laughlin, on the future of arts leadership. Leadership panelists include Scott Dodson, Alorie Clark, Jasmine Jiang, and Marietta Ulacia. Plus, enjoy a reception at the AU Museum afterward!

Do not miss the opportunity to reconnect!

RSVP to secure your spot! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-management-salon-50-years-of-arts-leadership-tickets-1036853445567?aff=oddtdtcreator