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Teachers College, Columbia University

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The Program : History

Butler library @ columbia university

The history of this program differentiates it from others of its kind in the country. Since its inception, the Program has been able to draw on the resources of Columbia University. The Program is uniquely positioned to offer its students access to ideas and coursework which are vital to what is currently happening in the arts field. At the same time, its legacy and leadership assure that students are learning about the arts’ most compelling and timeless issues, not just short-term trends.

In 1975, the first course in Arts Administration was offered at Columbia University in the School of the Arts. An interdisciplinary offering, it was team taught by arts and business professors. In 1980, the Program in Arts Administration was created at Columbia’s School of the Arts and established the interdisciplinary mix of business and law that continues to be integral to the core curriculum. In 1991, the Program was expanded at Teachers College to include both arts administration and arts education. In more than a quarter of a century, the Program has produced leaders and managers around the world and in every artistic discipline.
"With so many seeking to transition to a second career, it’s vital to make a statement of
seriousness to potential employers. A degree in Arts Administration from Teachers
College Columbia University indicates motivation, achievement and readiness. Enough
said."
                                                – Michael Mazur (’07), Executive Director, Fresno Art Museum

Image: Butler Library - the main library of the Columbia University campus