The Arts Extension Service is a national arts service organization, working to serve the arts through classes, training programs, workshops, research, consulting, and publications. The Arts Extension Service (AES) is the nation's leading provider of professional arts management education and offers three online Certificates in Arts Management, the nation's only online Arts Management bachelor's degree, publications, an Undergraduate Certificate at UMass Amherst, research services, and training programs including Artist-in-Business, Public Art, Community Engagement, and more, for state, regional, and local arts agencies. AES teaches the fundamentals including Arts Marketing, Arts Fundraising, Financial Management, and Arts Programming, as well as courses which help an arts organization run successfully including Grantwriting, Strategic Planning, Board Development, and more. For those seeking cutting edge awareness and support to push their institutions (and individual careers ahead), our newest courses include Cultural Equity in the Arts, Cultural Policy and Advocacy, Creative Economy and Placemaking, and Greening Your Arts Nonprofit Organization. In 2019, a new course: Leadership in Arts-Based Community Development will be available as a capstone for the Leadership Certificate. AES courses are available online, and are open to anyone from the US as well as internationally.
Our book, The Fundamentals of Arts Management, now in its 6th Edition, is utilized by 45% of colleges and universities that teach arts management. It is a trusted 'how-to' for arts managers and state arts agency staff who are looking for an affordable, comprehensive resource to run their arts nonprofit organization. With new chapters on Arts Policy, Creative Placemaking, and Greening Your Arts Nonprofit Organization, this book is a must-read for arts leaders.
The Arts Extension Service runs the National Arts Policy Archives and Library which welcomes scholars and those interested in arts arts policy to access the online archives which includes materials from the National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, The Association of American Cultures, and several private collections.
AES launched their Arts Entrepreneurship Initiative to serve artists and arts organizations by teaching them about the potential of becoming internship providers, and connecting them with UMass students looking for internship opportunities. AES, with campus partners, hosts two internship fairs a year, and provides trainings across the community. The Arts Extension Service has served the arts field, artists, arts nonprofits, and state and local arts agencies since 1973.
