CPAE (Certified Performing Arts Executive) Certification

Download CPAE brochure for Agents/Managers

Download CPAE brochure for Presenters

The CPAE Certification program is now underway, but latecomers are still being accepted. Please contact for more information.

CPAE information sessions will be held at each of the fall Conferences:

Western Arts Alliance

September 4-8, 2012 - Denver, CO

CPAE (Certified Performing Arts Executive) information session:

Time and location TBA.

Midwest Arts Conference

September 12-15, 2012 - Grand Rapids, MI

CPAE (Certified Performing Arts Executive) information session:

Time and location TBA.

Performing Arts Exchange

September 19-22, 2012 - Miami Beach, FL

CPAE (Certified Performing Arts Executive) information session:

Time and location TBA.

Arts Northwest

October 15-18, 2012 - Boise, ID

CPAE (Certified Performing Arts Executive) information session:

Time and location TBA.

Presenter/Agent Certification Program

CPAE Designation

A joint project of NAPAMA, Arts Northwest and the Graduate Program in Arts Administration, University of New Orleans

INTRODUCTION

The Low-Residency program for certification of presenters, agents and managers at the University of New Orleans will be a program consisting of 24 credits to be completed within a 2-3 year period. Offered by the Graduate Program in Arts Administration, the program will include courses offered on-site at various conferences during the year, online courses offered over the web, and face-to-face courses at regional and national conferences. The program’s goal is to provide a professional certification program for performing arts presenters, agents and managers, and is designed for professionals who hold positions in presenting arts venues, agents, managers, and those about to enter the field. Once the course is completed, a certificate will be issued recognizing the participant as a Certified Performing Arts Executive.

PROGRAM FEES AND COSTS

Tuition for the program will be $2,500 per person. In addition, individuals will be responsible for costs associated with attending sessions at conferences. This fee is payable to the University of New Orleans before the beginning of the first session. An individual may opt for a payment plan of 50% down and 50% within 6 months, but there is a service charge involved with the plan. A $500.00 deposit is necessary to hold a place in the program. As this is a certificate program, all deposits and tuition are non-refundable.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be available on the UNO website. Applications should be sent to Admissions, UNO. Space will be limited to 15 applicants per year on a first-come, first-served basis.

THE CURRICULUM

The Agent Certification consists of 6 Core Curriculum courses of 3 hours each and 6 mini-sessions of 1 hour each. All candidates must complete the entire 24 hours of classes either online or by participating in courses offered at various conferences. All courses have been developed by experienced artist managers and arts educators. The 3-hour Core Curriculum sessions include:

1. History and Overview of Performing Arts Presenting
2. Planning for Success, Business Organization Models
3. Budgeting and Financial Management, Fees, Commissions
4. Client and Venue Relationships, Ethics, Liability
5. Marketing, Promotion and Media
6. Arts and the Law, Copyright, Royalties

Mini-sessions of 1 hour each include:

1. Writing Skills
2. Presentation Skills
3. Creativity and Innovation Skills
4. Time Management
5. Leadership Skills
6. Current Industry Issues and Trends
7. Negotiating Skills
8. Other Topics TBA

The Presenter Certification consists of 6 Core Curriculum courses of 3 hours each and 6 mini-sessions of 1 hour each. All candidates must complete the entire 24 hours of classes either online or by participating in courses offered at various conferences. All courses have been developed by experienced artist managers and arts educators. The 3-hour Core Curriculum sessions include:

1. History and Overview of Performing Arts Presenting
2. Budgeting, Fundraising, Sponsorships and Fiscal Management
3. From Concept to Stage: Curating, Planning and Pulling Off a Performing Arts Series
4. Technical Riders and Backstage Wizardry
5. Marketing the Performing Arts: From Print to Web
6. Contracts, Negotiations, Visas, Taxes and Other Legal Issues

Mini-sessions of 1 hour each include:

1. Writing Skills
2. Presentation Skills
3. Creativity and Innovation Skills
4. Time Management
5. Leadership Skills
6. Current Industry Issues and Trends
7. Negotiating Skills
8. Other Topics TBA

COMPLETING THE PROGRAM

After completing all course work, each individual must complete any two of the following: a) a written exam; b) an assessment interview; c) a paper on an approved topic. The interview will be conducted by a panel of industry professionals, and is designed to offer each candidate an opportunity to demonstrate his/her expertise in each of the curricular areas. Upon successful completion of the program, the candidate will receive a certificate from UNO. Please note that this certification applies to the individual, not the agency/management as a whole.

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