Graduate Certificate in Arts Emergency Management
Protect Your Passion
Arts Emergency Management is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to effectively manage a range of crises within the context of the arts and cultural sectors. This interdisciplinary program combines principles in emergency management, arts administration, risk assessment, and crisis communication to prepare students for leadership roles in ensuring the safety, preservation, and continuity of artistic and cultural operations during times of emergencies or disasters.
The certificate provides a human-centered, all-hazards approach through all stages of the emergency management cycle—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Interwoven through this approach is a focus on social and environmental justice, which are considered key components in building resilient arts and culture organizations.
Why University of Kentucky?
Our fully online Graduate Certificate in Arts Emergency Management is designed for arts and cultural professionals who want to prepare for, respond to, and lead through crises that affect artists, organizations, and communities.
Flexibility That Fits Your Life.
Our asynchronous format allows you to complete coursework and collaborate with peers on your own time, without the limits of a traditional classroom. You can balance your academic, creative, and professional pursuits with confidence.
No Residency Required.
Whether you live across the country or around the globe, this program is fully online. There's no need to relocate or travel, and while you're always welcome to visit campus, it's never required. Our students bring diverse perspectives from a wide range of geographic and cultural contexts.
In-State Tuition for All Students.
No matter where you live, all students in the Arts Emergency Management program pay the in-state tuition rate.
Expert-Led, Real World Curriculum.
Courses are taught by faculty with experience in arts policy, disaster preparedness, emergency planning, and resilience-building. The curriculum blends academic knowledge with practical tools to help you protect and support the arts in times of disruption.
As a working photojournalist, I have covered several emergency situations that affected arts organizations, giving me firsthand experience in the importance of effective emergency preparedness. I knew that participating in Arts Emergency Management coursework would undoubtedly give me a skillset that would prepare me and my organization for the future. I was able to create a much-needed emergency plan for Boyd’s Station, a small arts and journalism nonprofit in my hometown, providing the organization an invaluable resource to prepare themselves for and respond to any upcoming emergency.
Admissions
The Graduate Certificate in Arts Emergency Management is open to qualified applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or abroad.
The GRE is not required for admission to this program. Standard graduate application requirements apply.
Applications must include:
- CV or Resume. Please include a resume that notes your education, professional and volunteer experience, accomplishments, and qualifications for graduate study.
- Statement of Purpose. Compose a statement of purpose that explains why you wish to pursue your Certificate in Arts Emergency Management.
- Writing sample (optional). If you are not currently enrolled in a degree program at the University of Kentucky, please submit a writing sample (3-6 pages). Writing samples may include researched essays, marketing or fundraising materials, planning documents or journalistic work.
Applications are accepted for the Graduate Certificate on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Applicants will receive a decision letter within two weeks of the submission of all application materials. The final deadlines for admission are as follows:
- Fall: July 25
- Spring: December 12
- Summer: April 19
Courses
AEM 585: Arts Emergency Management: Creating a Resilient Organization
The frequency of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and data breaches across the globe and the dramatic retelling of them on various media outlets has created an expectation that emergency plans be developed and routinely updated for areas of public assembly, including arts and culture venues. This course provides a sociological overview of community actions and reactions to disasters as well as a customized planning approach for arts managers and artists in preparing for emergencies.
AEM 588: Event Safety and Security
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of event safety and security in the context of mass-gathering events. Students will explore areas of safety, sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement to learn how to create secure and optimized environments for event attendees. The course considers how arts & cultural professionals can serve in a multiplicity of unpredictable situations by honing their craft in creating gatherings more prepared for climate and socio-economic emergencies. Through engaging activities, students will develop the skills necessary to address the unique challenges of event safety and security in today's dynamic event landscape.
AEM 590: Crisis Response Planning and Management for the Arts
Crisis response planning and management is a critical aspect of managing arts organizations in order to maintain trust, manage reputation, and mitigate risks. Students will learn how arts and culture organizations can develop key relationships with emergency management agencies, local authorities, disaster relief and response organizations, and other related community partners to establish communication channels needed in a crisis situation. Additionally, students will explore how safety concerns within an organization can be discussed, perceived, and addressed as part of effective risk and crisis communication. Using real-world case studies and mock scenarios from various artistic disciplines and geographical contexts, students will develop crisis response plans that outline roles, responsibilities, messaging, and procedures for minimizing damage and mitigating future risk. Additionally, students will leave the course with a portfolio of practical documents, including an incident response model and organizational messaging protocol.
AAD 510: Advanced Emotional Intelligence & Professional Communications
Emotional intelligence (EI) is arguably the most important key to success in one's career and personal life. In AAD 510, Advanced Emotional Intelligence and Professional Communications, students will apply actionable strategies for deepening one’s own emotional intelligence, improving personal and professional relationships, and employing sound decision-making strategies in the field of arts administration. Students will assess their own awareness and management of emotional responses; practice authentic and active empathy; collaborate in teams; and explore the practice of making (and taking accountability for) impactful decisions.
Federal Financial Aid
Please note that federal financial aid is not available for certificate programs, but other financial resources may be available on the Financial Aid page.
State Authorization & Licensure
If you plan to complete a University of Kentucky online program while living outside of Kentucky, you should check the Out-of-State Students page to determine if the University of Kentucky is authorized to proved this program in your state of residence. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the education requirements for licensure in your state.