Women’s Perspectives in Arts Administration Symposium coming Feb. 14

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2025) — The University of Kentucky Department of Arts Administration will host the Women’s Perspectives in Arts Administration (WPAA) Symposium Friday, Feb. 14, at the Gatton Student Center.

This second edition of the symposium will make history as it will, for the first time, be held jointly with the one-day Society of Arts Leadership Educators (SALE) Conference, which begins Saturday, Feb. 15.

The symposium theme is “Transformation in Arts Administration Practice and Scholarship.” Attendees and presenters will explore shifts in social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts, changing due to advancements and reshaping practices.

“This event is important to anyone who resonates with the contributions that women have had on the field of arts administration and the arts,” said Jaleesa Wells, Ph.D., symposium organizer and assistant professor of arts administration.

This one-day symposium brings together an intergenerational group of women scholars from undergraduate students to retired professors, to provide space for critical dialogue.

“The university’s commitment to championing our symposium demonstrates its dedication to the future development of art administration,” Wells said.

This symposium engages students from online graduate programs and professionals from across the globe to give a truly unique experience.

The schedule for the symposium includes topics of pivoting paths, mentorship, resistance readiness and resilience across arts, arts for well-being, archives, creative cards for change, and more. See the full schedule here.

WPAA brings in practitioners and scholars to explore transformative forces influencing the professional art administration field.

This symposium will create space for critical dialogue between practitioners and scholars in the arts administration field. The goal of this event is to address the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing women in the field of art administration.

Students can present and share their ideas in a welcoming and creative space. Faculty will benefit from sharing knowledge in many ways as well as building community with the professionals in the field.

Presentations, panels and workshops will help to engage participants on the changing topics of cultural, economic and environmental contexts. This symposium hopes to inspire possibilities and foster a deeper understanding of arts administration.

This event opens the door for scholars and practitioners to participate in two events growing knowledge of art administration, contemporary challenges and problem solving.

UK’s Department of Arts Administration is designed to prepare students for a future in the management of arts organizations. Students are provided with a strong liberal arts education, an understanding of the business world and a comprehensive education in one of the four arts disciplines of art, music, dance and theatre. 

Saturday's SALE conference serves as a hub for individuals passionate about arts administration, management and leadership. It brings together an array of professionals, including practitioners, policymakers and scholars, who share a common goal of advancing the field of arts administration both in academic settings and in real-world applications.

“The WPAA Symposium provides a crucial space to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women-identifying scholars at all stages of their careers,” said Rachel Shane, Ph.D., chair of UK's Department of Arts Administration. “The SALE Conference has long been a hub for advancing arts leadership education. The synergy between these two events underscores the importance of fostering dialogue across disciplines and generations, ensuring that the arts and arts administration continue to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

Registration is open for both events, which includes a special rate for students.