Minor in Arts Administration and Cultural Advocacy | Southern Connecticut State University

Whether you have a major in the arts, humanities, or a related field, this minor offers valuable skills and knowledge to make a difference in the industry.

Studying the arts and humanities at Southern gives you the unique advantage of the cultural richness of New Haven, a city with some of the nation’s leading organizations in the visual and performing arts, cultural heritage and preservation, and the public humanities.

This minor offers students an introduction to careers in this professional world, from theaters, museums, and library management to nonprofit arts education, funding, and development.

At Southern, we know there’s no single pathway into these creative fields. With a 4-credit internship and the chance to tailor knowledge and skills-based courses to a specific professional focus, our program is designed to help you discover your own pathway.

This 19-credit minor is open to all students at Southern but is especially ideal for Art, English, History, Music, or Theatre majors, and those hoping to add an arts-related focus to another professional discipline.

Program Requirements ››

Combining with Another Major

If you’re an English or History major aiming for a career in a museum or library, or a Music or Business major interested in managing a dance school, pairing your major with the AACA minor can open exciting opportunities. Success comes from planning ahead—building a focused mix of arts and cultural knowledge and professional experience tailored to your goals. The minor typically takes 2–3 years to complete. Because there’s no single pathway, we provide sample academic maps to help you plan:

AAC Minor + Visual or Performing Arts Major
2-year timeline | 3-year timeline
AAC Minor + Humanities Major
2-year timeline | 3-year timeline

Given the importance of course selection, we strongly recommend scheduling a personal advising appointment with one of the minor coordinators—in addition to your primary academic advisor—each semester during your program of study.

"Great opportunities, such as internships, have significantly developed my professionalism. I can be both the artist and the artist advocate."
Internship: Program Coordinator, The Arts Council of Greater New Haven

Carla, ’25, English major, AACA minor

Internships

The core of the Minor in Arts Administration and Cultural Advocacy is a paid 4-credit field internship at an arts and cultural organization, which you can take in any combination (4 credits, 3+1 credits, 2+2 credits, etc.) after you’ve finished AAC 200 and your professional courses.

You should begin planning for your internship capstone by the fall or spring of your junior year. Internships can be found through advising, personal research, or through one of our listed partnerships in New Haven. Take time to read through the AACA Internship Guide and AACA Internship Listing, which is updated annually:

Our students have interned with outstanding organizations in New Haven and beyond, including:

Declaring the Minor

The Minor in Arts Administration and Cultural Advocacy is open to all majors at Southern. As the degree takes a minimum of three semesters to complete, including a four-credit internship, we encourage you to declare the minor early at Southern, from freshman year through the beginning of your junior year. To declare the minor, first talk to your academic advisor or one of the program coordinators.

Careers

The Minor in Arts Administration and Cultural Advocacy offers a hands-on introduction to the professional arts and cultural sector. It equips students with practical skills for careers in areas such as theatre and performing arts management, museum and library administration, archival and curatorial work, nonprofit leadership, grant writing, and arts education.

Typical Job Titles

Program Assistant
Marketing Coordinator
Communications Coordinator
Development Associate
Gallery Assistant
Curatorial Aide
Event Coordinator

"I stumbled upon Arts Administration, as a term, just two years ago. This minor makes the field tangible, attainable. It's grounded in relationships, opportunity, and experience."
Internship: Development, The City of New Haven (Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism)

Tyler, ’24, Art History major, AACA minor