Online info session planned for new arts management program

• March 8, 2010 5:00am

The not-for-profit arts field is facing an urgent need for trained leaders with management skills, as those who entered the industry in the 1970s and 80s are retiring. As a result, arts organizations and related boards of directors and foundations are seeking trained leaders.

For that reason, a new online arts management career development certificate program devoted to professional development for emerging arts organization leaders has been designed by Cal State East Bay and is offered by the university's Division of Continuing and International Education.

The program’s director, Thomas Hird, said that while the commercial arts represent a significant business in and out of California, the average growth rate of employment in the nonprofit sector already outstrips that in the business and government sectors nationally.

To design the new program, Hird – who also is chair of the Cal State East Bay Department of Theatre and Dance – and his colleagues surveyed nearly 100 California arts leaders.

Learn more about the Arts Management Career Development Certificate Program at an upcoming information meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 7:00 p.m. ONLINE

For students who are interested, please contact Thomas Hird via e-mail at thomas.hird@csueastbay.edu. for instructions on how to participate.