Arts Facilities Management
Units: 6
The course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the many facets involved in managing and operating a performing arts facility - in general and more specifically in Pittsburgh. Lectures include detailed information about the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - the form of organization; budgeting detail, facility cost studies, construction, day-to-day operations, security box office issues, resident companies, small arts groups, collective bargaining, ticketing, shared services and more. Onsite theater visits and introduction to senior facility personnel are included. Students are expected to complete two class projects - one being an attempt to resolve an actual theater operations-related problem, and the other to critique a particular facility. Students are given the opportunity to attend a Trust presented performance for this assignment. Guest lecturers include members of the Trust's senior staff who lend their expertise and enrich the learning experience and the local president emeritus of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) who addresses topics related to collective bargaining contracts and multiple union contracts.
-Gain an understanding of the complexities of managing an arts facility.
-Review real world case studies of facility issues.
-Hands on opportunities to observe back stage operations.
-Review on-site facility issues with practicing professionals to enhance students' appreciation for a wide variety of strategies employed by different personnel.
No pre-requisites required.