1. Course Prefix and Number: DCE 621 [spring 2008]

2. Course title: Administration of Dance

3. Credits: 3

4. Course Prerequisites/Corequisites: None

5. For Whom Planned: Graduate students in Dance

6. Instructor Information

Instructor: Jan Van Dyke

Email: jevandyk@uncg.edu

Phone: 334 3043

7. Catalogue description:

Introduction to the business of dance including aspects of grant writing, company development and management, public relations, and an introduction to the process of searching and applying for a position in higher education. Coursework includes study of controversy in the arts and public policy.

8. Student Learning Outcomes: On completion of this course, the student will be able to

a. Create a cover letter, resume and c.v. that can be used for application for positions in higher education and other areas of the professional field.

b. Demonstrate increased understanding of writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills necessary for successful work as a dance artist in higher education and in the professional field.

c. Demonstrate skills necessary to professional dance artists such as grant writing and public relations.

d. Realize increased understanding of the interaction between culture, money and the arts.

e. Identify issues facing professionals in the dance world today and strategies for responding.

9. Teaching Strategies: readings; class discussion; student presentations; peer critiques of draft materials; viewing videos; interacting with guest speakers, peers and faculty; technical and reflective writing.

10. Evaluation Methods and Guidelines for Assignments: See attached

11. Required Texts/Readings/References:

Bedoya, R. (2004). U.S. Cultural Policy: Its Politics of Participation, Its Creative Potential. http://www.npnweb.org/publications/

Dunning, J. (2001, July 16). Gimmicks, Games and Explanation to Create Dancegoers, New York Times.

Forming a non-profit corporation --http://www.cpcwnc.org/Resources/ten%20steps%20form%20nonprofit.pdf

Gender Project (2003 update) www.dancenyc.org Go to News and research, Studies, #9 Gender Project.

Greskovic, R. (2004) A mixed bag of dance at a mere $10 a ticket, Wall Street Journal.

NYC Dancemaker Census (2006) http://www.dancenyc.org/upload/chapter/961_Pdf_2_Census%20FINAL.pdf

Kimmelman, M. (2001, August 26). Museums in a quandary: Where are the ideals? New York Times.

Melzer, A.M., Weinberger, J., Zinman, M.R. (1999), Democracy & the arts. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, pp. 1-25, 92-102, 168-171. (Available in the library).

Sandomir, R. (2004, May 30). At (your name here) arena, money talks, New York Times.

Smith, R.A. (2000, December 3) Memo to art museums: Don't give up on art, New York Times.

Taruskin, R. (2001, December 9) Music's dangers and the case for control, New York Times.

Van Dyke, J. (1992), Modern dance in a postmodern world. Reston VA: NDA/AAHPERD, pp.77-85. (Available at the library.)

Wakin, D. (2004, October 7) Gauging the impact of a bargain dance festival, New York Times.

White, D.R., Friedman, L. and Levinson, T.T. (1993). Poor dancer's almanac: Managing life and work in the performing arts. Durham and London: Duke University Press. (Available at Addams Book Store).

12. Topical Outline: See below.

13. Academic Honor Code: Each student is required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy on all major work submitted for the course. See http://saf.dept.uncg.edu/studiscp/Manual.html

14. Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and fully participate in all classes. Students may be withdrawn from the class if three or more classes are missed.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

January 15: Introduction to the course :

For next class: Begin work on assignment 1. Using printed materials (Chronicle of Higher Education, the Department job board, and others) and web-sources, identify a job in higher education that is appealing to you.Begin reading NYC Dancemaker Census-- to be finished by Jan. 22.

January 17: Guest Speakers: Ali Duffy and Tricia Zweier

First draft of letter, cv and resume due along with copy of job announcement.

January 22: Letter, resume and cv are returned. Discussion of NYC Dancemaker Census.

For next class: revised letter, cv, and resume are due.

January 24: Cover letters, resumes and c.v.'s are due.

Introduction to Promotion and Tenure, university hierarchy, issues.

For 2/14 and 2/19, interview the director of a small (non-profit) professional modern dance company, someone who has run a company for several years and who applies for grants and report on what he/she says. Find out the following:

a) Size of company, how long in operation, who choreographs, rehearsal schedule

b) Annual budget and mission of the company.

c) Percent of budgeted income which is earned/ unearned. Where most income comes from/ where most goes.

d) How they publicize events/ how many events annually and what kind.

e) Role of the Board of Directors.

f) Payment to dancers? How they are selected, how many men/women, company class, etc.

g) In what ways have they geared activities to fit grant criteria? To draw audiences?

h) Thoughts on the place of small companies in today’s United States.

January 29: Guest speaker: Duane Cyrus.

Begin reading Democracy & the Arts, to be finished February 21.

January 31: Video.

For next class: read about press releases and publicity, pp. 36--55 in Poor Dancer's Almanac

For February 26: download and print out NONPROFIT CORPORATION HANDBOOK from www.secretary.state..nc.us/corporations/ [once there, click on Guidelines to Incorporating / non- profit.] Begin work on drawing up bylaws and Articles of Incorporation for presentation 2/26.

Feb. 5: Return and discuss resumes, cvs and letters. Interview Emily Quinn to gather information. Discuss press release format. Draft press release for next class.

Feb. 7: Return and discuss press releases.

For next class: redo press release.

Feb. 12: Video. Press releases due.

Discussion of assignment 9 (reflective paper) due March 17.

Feb. 14: Company reports.

Feb. 19: More company reports.

For next class: read pp. 74-94 from POOR DANCER'S ALMANAC.

Feb. 21: Discussion of incorporation guides and how to form corporations.

Feb. 26: Present findings on non-profit corporations, details of the corporation you have formed.

For next class: complete incorporation papers due. Read pp. 77-85 in MODERN DANCE IN A POSTMODERN WORLD.

Feb. 28: Guest: Jefferson James. Completed incorporation papers are due .

For next class: read about publicity and booking, pp. 181-195 in POOR DANCER'S ALMANAC

March 4: Booking tapes, press packs, discussion.

March 6: Discussion

For next class: read pp. 137-166 in POOR DANCER'S ALMANAC, think of a project to use for a grant application.

***Spring Break***

March 18: Discussion of reading. Introduction to grant writing—hand out applications for individual grants, grant-writing guides

For next class: bring in draft of grant application and questions. Reflective paper #1 due. Read pp. 3-12 POOR DANCER'S ALAMANAC. Begin reading Bedoya, to be finished by April 1.

March 20: Oral critique of grant applications. Discussion of issues in funding.

For next class: turn in completed grant application. Read Controversies in the Arts.

March 25: Grants due. Discussion of organizational grants, grantwriting and non-profit corporations.

In groups, discuss a controversy in the arts, research it for discussion on 4/1.

For next class: go to www.ncarts.org and download the guidelines for organizations.

For 3/27: bring in first draft of corporate grant

March 27: Guest speaker no Jan

For next class: read Taruskin.

April 1: Organizational grants due. Discussion of proposals followed by reports and general class discussion on controversies in the arts.

For next class: bring in completed organizational grant application. Read Greskovic, Dunning, Wakin.

April 3: Organizational grant turned back for revision. Discussion of readings.

For next class: Write advocacy letter. Read Sandomir, Kimmelman, Smith

April 8: Letters due. Influence of the corporate world: discussion of readings. Legal issues: discussion of contracts and copyright.

For next class: read pp. 276-281 in PDA, Artists in the community.

April 10: Organizational grants due. Letters turned back for revision. Video.

For next class: read "Artists in the Community."

April 15: Letters due. Discussion of community arts with Wesley Williams, Ashlee Ramsey..

For next class: Read about copywrite pp. 80-83, 107-114 in POOR DANCER'S ALMANAC,

For April 17: download information from the Gender Project

April 17: Guest speaker

For next class: Read Taruskin.

April 22: Education of Dancers, alternative careers, success in the arts world: discussion.

April 24: Video

April 29: Watch video.

For next class: prepare to discuss responsibilities and possibilities for art and artists today.

May 1: Final Paper Due. Discussion--Responsibilities and possibilities for art and artists: the artist in the community - be prepared to contribute significantly to this discussion based on your thoughts and what you have learned this semester.

May 6: ???

Assignments:

1. Prepare a c.v.. (curriculum vitae), a resume and a cover letter for a job search, following instructions given in class; provide supportive critique of these materials for your peers to help them strengthen their materials. 10% of grade (for cover letter, resume and cv).

a. C.V. and resume: The first draft is due January 17; during this class, you will provide peer feedback on each other's work. The final draft will be due January 24.

b. Cover letter tailored to a job in higher education that you have identified as one you would like. Several samples will be provided. Due with cv and resume.

Assessment criteria: I will be looking at these materials as though I were on a search committee reviewing them.

Clarity

Inclusion of all items as addressed in class

Absence of errors of spelling, sentence structure, and other technical aspects of writing

Appearance

Cover letter only: cohesiveness and flow

3. In-class discussions: The in-class discussions and presentation are designed to help you develop skills in critical thinking and speaking necessary for successful work as a dance artist. 15% of grade. Assessment criteria: regularity of participation in discussion, evidence of thorough preparation, pertinence of contributions, demonstration of ability to draw together information from various sources to form a coherent point of view or a question, clarity and fluency of speech, projection of confidence and professionalism

4. Complete two grant proposals, one for a grant to an individual and one for an organizational grant following instructions given in class.

a) Individual grant—first draft is due March 13; during this class you will provide peer feedback on each other's work. Completed application is due March 25. 10%

b) Organization grant—first draft is due April 1; Completed application is due April 1. 15%

Assessment criteria: proper formatting, inclusion of all necessary elements, a convincing argument, clarity of writing/ presentation and absence of mechanical errors, clear budget.

5. Form a dummy non-profit corporation with the two other people. Draw up Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. Presentation of the corporate materials and general thoughts will be on February 26; materials will be turned in on Feb. 28. 10%

Assessment criteria: proper formatting, inclusion of all necessary elements, clarity of writing and absence of mechanical errors, a clear understanding of non-profit organization and its functions.

6. Interview the director of a small (non-profit) professional modern dance company, someone who has run a company for several years and who applies for grants and report on what he/she says. Find out the following:

i) Size of company, how long in operation, who choreographs, rehearsal schedule

j) Annual budget and mission of the company.

k) Percent of budgeted income which is earned/ unearned. Where most income comes from/ where most goes.

l) How they publicize events/ how many events annually and what kind.

m) Role of the Board of Directors.

n) Payment to dancers? How they are selected, how many men/women, company class, etc.

o) In what ways have they geared activities to fit grant criteria? To draw audiences?

p) Thoughts on the place of small companies in today's United States.

Assessment criteria: This is not a graded assignment. The information you gain from the interview will help you to discuss and write about issues in the field.

7. Gathering information and drawing up a press release—first draft is due Feb. 6; during this class you will provide peer feedback on each other’s work. Completed press release is due Feb. 12. 5%

8. Advocacy letter—researching and selecting a topic and then addressing it to someone who can effect change. 5%

Assessment criteria: proper formatting, inclusion of all necessary information, clarity of writing and absence of mechanical errors.

9. Reflective paper #1: Write a 5-8 page paper (12 point, double spaced) reflecting on the readings you have done and issues that have been brought up in this course so far. Discuss those that you perceive will be most challenging for you, why you expect they will be challenging, and strategies for responding to these challenges. Due March 17. 12% of grade.

10. Reflective paper #2: Write a final 5-8 page paper (12 point, double spaced) reflecting your thoughts on dance in the United States in 2007. Discuss the interaction of American culture with the professional dance world, including your impression of the impact of cultural policy on dance as an art and a life choice. Due May 1. 18%

Assessment criteria for both papers:

Clarity of writing and absence of mechanical errors

Degree to which you address all aspects of the assignment

Depth of thought—the degree to which you go beyond naming the issues we discuss in class and beyond the most obvious ways of responding; the degree to which you think critically about your own ideas rather than just taking a position and supporting it.