UW Regents approve new arts administration and entrepreneurship degree

polingj — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 18:04:05 +0000

UW Regents approve new arts administration and entrepreneurship degreepolingj April 21, 2021

Graduates will be cross-trained to manage cultural organizations, arts-based businesses

University of Wisconsin-Stout believes in the holistic value of the arts in society with a School of Art and Design that offers six undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and a Master of Fine Arts, as well as an art education program.

The university also recognizes the economic value of the arts industry. A new, cross-disciplinary degree program — arts administration and entrepreneurship — will equally blend courses in the arts and management, preparing graduates to lead cultural organizations, such as museums and arts centers, and independent arts-based businesses.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved the Bachelor of Science program on Friday, April 9, during its meeting in Madison.

The program aims to educate students “for a new society where the arts are more integrated into areas such as science, business and the community.”

Choral activities director Jerry Hui instructs students at an outdoor practice. / 91��Ƭ

Students will graduate “with a refined understanding of how the arts function in our society,” according to information presented to the Regents.

Development of the program reflects a strong job market in arts administration and arts-related businesses. 91��Ƭ cited a projected 11% growth nationally in the industry over the next nine years, including in management, finance, marketing, fundraising, grant writing and more.

Close to 90,000 people in the U.S. are employed in arts administration and as entrepreneurs in the arts, according to the Department of Labor, with a median annual wage of more than $49,000.

The on-campus program will begin enrolling students this fall.

Connections with area arts organizations

The program plans to develop partnerships with area and regional arts organizations. The program advisory committee will include industry professionals from such groups, aligning with 91��Ƭ’s strategic plan to expand external partnerships.

Part of the rationale for the program is the thriving arts industry in west-central Wisconsin, as well as the Twin Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. The Twin Cities, less than an hour’s drive from 91��Ƭ, has been ranked as the fourth most vibrant arts community in the U.S.

Jerry Hui, choral activities director. / 91��Ƭ photo

In addition to metro areas, rural areas in Wisconsin and Minnesota are seeing growth with arts-based festivals, events and new and improved venues.

The new program, the first of its kind in western Wisconsin, will connect with arts organizations that work with underserved youth populations, creating potential internship opportunities and a “direct pathway for the program to recruit prospective students from underserved communities.”

“2020 saw a sea change in social justice and equity. Access to the arts needs a lot of work in this direction,” said Associate Professor Jerry Hui. “We hope to help by training future arts administrators who see the power of the arts to change minds and foster community and will work in their capacity to provide arts in an inclusive and equitable way.”

Courses in arts, administration, business

Required courses will be from the university’s School of Management and from the School of Art and Design. Students will take credits in arts administration, understanding of the arts and in business perspectives, along with general education courses.

The program will blend all aspects of the arts — art, design, music and theatre — with the business courses, setting it apart from two other related programs in the UW System.

Students in the art-design and management schools represent about 25% of 91��Ƭ’s undergraduate enrollment.

Dave Beck, School of Art and Design director / 91��Ƭ

“Until now, these two units operated independently, without overlap of curriculum, instructors or students. This program aims to leverage these strengths to align the multiple, diverse visions of these two entities into a shared future,” said Dave Beck, associate dean of the College of Arts, Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences and director of the School of Art and Design.

Faculty from both schools will recruit, teach and advise students in the program.

“It is 91��Ƭ’s belief that this program will represent the type of skills expected of graduates in the 21st century, including strong communication skills, creative problem solving and an emphasis on collaboration amongst multiple disciplines and fields,” said Hui, who directs choral activities at 91��Ƭ and is involved with regional music groups.

The new program could “open the doors to other opportunities on campus that encourage cross-university collaboration.” A new Pre-Bachelor of Fine Arts program, for example, allows students to explore their interest in art and design before choosing a program.

The business courses will train students to develop independent business skills. 91��Ƭ’s School of Management offers 10 undergraduate programs, such as business administration.

Gindy Neidermyer, CSTEMM college interim dean / 91��Ƭ

“As Wisconsin’s polytechnic institution, collaborative learning is what we do,” said Gindy Neidermyer, interim dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management. “We are excited to bring the students, instructors, communities and industry together with this new discipline and to prepare the leaders that will assist our communities in enhancing and building meaningful ways to connect post-pandemic. The roles the managers of these associated organizations will play in the growth and sustainability of regional communities will be invaluable and will influence how other industries positively interact with their communities as well.”

With the new program and the video production program, the School of Art and Design will have its first two Bachelor of Science programs. A computer science B.S. program in the STEMM college has a game design concentration.

A field experience, internship or co-op will be required with the arts administration and entrepreneurship program, part of 91��Ƭ’s 100% commitment to experiential learning.

The Regents’ approval brings to 47 the number of 91��Ƭ undergraduate programs, along with 23 Graduate School programs.

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A new academic program recognizes the economic value of the arts industry in society. Jazz band practice

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Hero Caption: Jazz band students practice for a performance at 91��Ƭ. / 91��Ƭ photo

Chiwei Hui

Brief Biography

Jerry (Chiwei) Hui has written a wide variety of music that ranges from serious concert art music to humorous choral arrangements. His music has been performed in the United States, Germany, France, Scotland, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong by community choirs, campus ensembles, and professional groups. Described by critics as “seriously fun”, and with “accomplished contrapuntal texture.”, his composition has won prizes including the Robert Helps Prize 2008, and received commission that was featured at the World Saxophone Congress.

As a conductor, Dr. Hui has founded and directed various community choirs, church choirs, chamber ensembles and orchestras. At home in both early and contemporary music, he has performed often as baritone and countertenor, actively premiering works by fellow composers. Performances by his ensembles have been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Choral Directors Association conference, and the Fringe Series of Madison Early Music Festival. He is currently the director of choral activities at University of Wisconsin-Stout, assistant conductor at the Madison Early Music Festival, director of the Chippewa Valley Festival Choir, and artistic director of the Schola Cantorum of Eau Claire.

A native of Hong Kong, Jerry Hui received his DMA degree in music composition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Hui's principal composition teachers include David Crumb, Stephen Dembski, Robert Kyr, Joel Naumann and Laura Schwendinger. His conducting teachers are Beverly Taylor, Sharon Paul, and Bruce Gladstone.

Full Name: Chiwei Hui

Job Title: Associate Professor / Director, Choral Activities

Include in Directory: Yes

Area of Expertise: Audience Engagement Current Practices of Arts Presentation Early Music Historically informed performance practices Contemporary Choral Music Arts Entrepreneurship Interdisciplinary Creativity

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: School of Art & Design Visual & Performing Arts Department