What is Art Administration?

Bellarmine’s Art Administration program prepares well-rounded students for employment as professional administrators in the fine and performing arts. The degree offers an education in management and leadership, with a strong foundation in both art and business. Majors in the program earn a minor in Business Administration and take a range of courses in arts administration, studio arts, theatre, and music, with an in-depth exploration of their chosen artistic discipline.

Developed to meet the growing demand for professionals in the field who possess strong business and communication skills coupled with artistic sensibilities, this program stresses the premise that art, education, and administration combined make a significant contribution to the total human endeavor.

 

What makes Bellarmine’s Art Administration program stand out?

Small class sizes promote more personalized instruction, and a flexible curriculum allows students to select a focus in Art, Music, or Theatre to tailor their studies to best suit their career aspirations. Art Administration students are guaranteed two or more internship placements to help them gain practical work experience while building their professional network in order to gain early entry into their chosen career path after graduation.

Students also benefit from Louisville’s thriving arts community. The city is home to dozens of art galleries and museums (including the Speed Art Museum and the Frazier History Museum), music venues (Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Ballet, and Kentucky Opera), and theatres (including Kentucky Shakespeare and Actors Theatre of Louisville and its nationally recognized Humana Festival of New American Plays).

 

The Student Perspective

Ryan Staten is a senior studying Art Administration with a minor in Studio Art and a concentration in painting. After 20 years as a working professional, Staten attended Jefferson County Community and Technical College (JCTC) before transferring to Bellarmine. He’s now planning to use his Art Administration degree to forge a career in museum work after attending graduate school.

Here’s what Staten had to say about his experience in Bellarmine’s Art Administration program:

Q: How did you choose to study Art Administration at Bellarmine?

RS: I chose Bellarmine for a couple different reasons. I knew I wanted to study art, so I was mainly looking at art history programs in the state. Bellarmine wasn’t on my radar until I was leaving class [at JCTC] one day, and Natalie Cousins from the Bellarmine admissions team was [visiting JCTC]. I mentioned I was looking into transferring and she gave me a handout for Bellarmine. The more I investigated it the more I knew that’s the route I wanted to go. So, I started working with Natalie to apply and figure out if it was right for me. I knew I loved art, but I wasn't great at art, like creating it. I found Art Administration. I had no idea what it was, I just thought it sounded cool. There was one class, Grant Writing and Foundation Work, that really grabbed me and I thought that sounds like something I might want to do. 

I ended up attending and not regretting the decision at all. My time here at Bellarmine has been amazing and if I’m being honest, Natalie and her team are one of the main reasons I’m here. Another reason is Bellarmine’s small class size, staff, and faculty. They were easy to talk to and ask questions of and made the decision that much easier.

Q: And with your minor in Studio Art and the concentration in painting you're doing the creative side of art as well.

RS: Yeah. I've taken art classes before, but I didn't have what I felt was a good enough foundation of what it is actually like to paint something from start to finish with oil paints or acrylics or anything like that. So that's why I picked that up, and the painting department here is awesome. I just really enjoy doing it.

Q: How has your experience in this program helped you prepare for life after Bellarmine, both professionally and personally?

RS: Professionally, it's been really interesting learning about the nonprofit world and the museum world and how they work and the nuances of that kind of work. I've developed a passion for it. I love going to museums, and I always have, but now when I go I know how they did this. I know the thought process and why this piece is here and this piece is there and why this room is like this. I think that's going to help me in the long run get into museum work, which is the ultimate goal, and also graduate school. I plan on going to graduate school and studying arts management or museum studies or art history with a concentration in curatorial studies.

Personally, it's been really cool to see that side of the world because I knew about it, but I didn't know how culturally significant it actually was until I started looking into it and [realizing] why it's important for elementary school kids to get to be able to go to museums. Or like my little nephew, he's five. I love to take him to the science center and set him loose and let him have a good old time, and I can walk around and make sure he's okay. The importance of that growing up and looking back on when I would go to museums as a young child, I just loved it. So, personally, I think it's helped me appreciate that side of it more and more the longer I’m in it.

Q: What about the Art Administration program has stood out to you?

RS: I love the professor, Penny Peavler. She's helped me in so many  ways. I'm actually doing my internship for her right now and it's been such a cool experience. She's been in the art world for 30, 40 years. The contacts I've met through her and just the wealth of knowledge in the faculty [have been huge]. Dr. Ross has been awesome in advising me, we have had great conversations [about what I want to do with my degree].

I get to take some business classes, I get to take a bunch of art classes, I get to take some art history classes. But it's the same professor that’s done all four of them, so it's been really cool to get to know her and have her as that mentor. It’s been incredible.

Q: How was your internship experience?

RS: It's been great. I loved working at the Frazier [History Museum]. All the people I worked with were absolutely incredible. I was their interim grant writer while their senior grant writer was on maternity leave. I got to write a $100,000 grant from start to finish, which was really, really cool. It was very challenging. It was a lot of work, but it gave me that experience. I also worked with their fundraising team and their development team. And I think my business background helped me. I've used my skills and what I've created over my professional career, and the internship has given me a chance to get into museums, which is something I hadn't had before. I've really appreciated that. I have connections in museums now. I was never in museum work before, so that's been cool.

Q: Bellarmine being a liberal arts school, you're also taking classes outside of your major. How has that experience been for you?

RS: I'm a little different because I transferred in, so a lot of my elective classes were already taken care of. I'm a very non-traditional student. I've been a professional for 20 years now. I've been in management a long time, so when I took these business classes, it just helped solidify I already knew [certain things], I just didn't know that's what it was called, so it was nice. It's been really, really interesting. I've enjoyed taking a lot of what I would call “random” classes, but now that I've taken them, I get it. I get why we have to take these.

Q: How would you describe the learning environment at Bellarmine?

RS: Challenging but impactful. It's not easy, but professors want to see you succeed. Students want to see you succeed. That's one thing I laughed with my wife about is when I [attended a bigger school years ago], everyone was out for themselves. It felt like me against the world. And here I got an email the other day from someone in one of my classes just checking that I [turned in an assignment, because they almost forgot]. I would have never done that in the past. So that's been really, really cool.

It's challenging. It's school, it's supposed to be challenging. I feel like if it wasn't, it wouldn't be worth it.

Q: As a transfer student yourself, what advice would you give students considering transferring to Bellarmine?

Q: What would you say to prospective students interested in studying Art Administration at Bellarmine?

RS: Take the intro class. Talk to people in the major. There are tracks within Art Administration—there's ballet, visual arts, music, and theatre. There’s something for everyone, and they all have their different requirements. I would say if you're into theatre, look at the theatre track and look at the theatre program and talk to some of those people. If you're in music, talk to the music program. It’s a really cool opportunity that I didn't even know existed. I would recommend it all day long.

 

The Faculty Perspective

Dr. Zackary Ross has a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in Educational Theatre from New York University. In addition to his experience as an educator, Ross is an active theatre artist as a director, actor, and dramaturge. His research interests include theatrical adaptation, contemporary drama, theatre and social change, early modern drama, and trauma studies.

Here’s what Dr. Ross had to say about Bellarmine’s Art Administration program:

Q: What are the benefits of pursuing an Art Administration degree at Bellarmine?

ZR: At Bellarmine, our Art Administration degree is all about helping you blend your love of the arts with the practical skills you’ll need to build a career. You’ll study both business and the arts, so you learn how to support creative work while also knowing how to run an organization. One of the best parts of Bellarmine’s Art Administration program is the guaranteed internships—you’ll complete at least two before you graduate. That means you’re not just learning in the classroom, you’re building real experience and professional connections that can lead directly to jobs. With that hands-on experience plus strong coursework and personal guidance from faculty, you’ll be set up for success after graduation.

Q: What makes Bellarmine’s Art Administration program stand out?

ZR: What makes Bellarmine’s Art Administration program stand out is how personalized it is. You’re not just taking Art Administration classes—you also choose a track in Art, Theatre, or Music, so you get to dig deeper into the art form you love through those classes. Here, you don’t have to choose between what inspires you and what prepares you—you get both.

Q: How would you describe the learning environment at Bellarmine and what influence does that have on a student’s experience in the Art Administration program?

ZR: The learning environment at Bellarmine is close-knit and personal. Small class sizes mean your professors actually know you, and that makes space for real mentorship and tailored career guidance. On top of that, the program emphasizes practical experience—through internships and hands-on projects—so what you learn in class connects directly to the arts world. The result is an education that feels supportive and individualized while also preparing you for the realities of a career in art administration.

Q: How are students in this program supported by faculty throughout their course of study?

ZR: Faculty in the Art Administration program are with you every step of the way. They don’t just teach—you’ll get guidance on internships, career planning, and how to connect your studies to real opportunities. Because our faculty are active in Louisville’s arts community, they can introduce you to a professional network that’s ready to welcome new talent. That kind of personal support makes a huge difference as you’re figuring out your path in the arts.

Q: How does a Bellarmine Art Administration degree prepare students for life after college?

ZR: A Bellarmine Art Administration degree prepares you for more than just your first job—it prepares you for a meaningful life in the arts. You’ll get the kind of broad liberal arts education that helps you think critically, communicate clearly, and stay connected to what feeds your creative soul. At the same time, guaranteed internships and career guidance give you real experience and connections, so you’re ready to step into the field with confidence.

Q: What would you say to a prospective student considering earning an Art Administration degree at Bellarmine?

ZR: If you’re thinking about Art Administration at Bellarmine, I’d say this: it’s the perfect place if you want to keep your passion for the arts at the center while also building the skills to turn that passion into a career. You’ll study what you love, gain real experience through guaranteed internships, and have professors who know you personally and want to see you succeed. It’s a program that will challenge you, support you, and set you up for both a fulfilling career and a meaningful life in the arts.

 

Visit the Art Administration program page for more information including program highlights, career opportunities, and contact information if you’d like to get in touch with the department.