Tehvon Fowler-Chapman transitioned from music performance and teaching to arts administration because he loved supporting other artists and wanted to help the arts thrive. The O’Neill Master of Arts in Arts Administration program provided the foundation for his current role as the executive director at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Arlington, Virginia.
“I never thought that I would aspire to be an executive director,” Fowler-Chapman said. “The program really showed me everything that I was capable of. I think the MAAA program prepared me to manage by showing me how important it is to consider everyone who’s impacted by your decisions.”
Future arts administrators need business acumen, marketing expertise, and management skills to tackle the art world’s greatest challenges.
“I would describe the O’Neill faculty and staff as incredibly helpful and supportive, and just priceless in terms of the experience that they have as leaders of organizations—former grant makers, executive directors, program directors—all coming back to the university to provide the expertise that they’ve developed in the field,” Fowler-Chapman said.
MAAA students learn from top scholars in arts management and cultural policy. In addition to being committed educators, O’Neill faculty members are highly regarded by their peers in the arts management industry and at academic institutions across the country.
All students in the MAAA program complete a practicum project where they apply classroom knowledge to real world situations, gain professional experience, make valuable connections in the arts community, and sharpen their career focus.