This research collaboration summit explores the andragogical use of oral history as a transformative tool and method in arts leadership education and focuses on the evolution of my PhD-level course Sustaining Leadership in the Arts, which is a core course in the PhD in Arts Administration curriculum at the University of Kentucky. The aim of the course is to revolutionize how students learn about and engage with leadership concepts through hands-on, real-world research experiences.
This research collaboration summit brings together current students, alumni, and prospective students, as well as educators and researchers who conduct oral history projects in the field, to investigate how oral history methods can uncover new dimensions of arts leadership, including intersectional, relational, and contextualized approaches. By evolving from traditional academic outputs to immersive research experiences, the curricular approach is reshaping students' understanding of leadership complexities and enhancing their qualitative research skills.
During the research collaboration summit, we will examine the impact of the co-creative and andragogical curricular approach, where students actively participate in curriculum development, fostering a more inclusive and engaging learning environment. This collaborative process not only enriches the educational experience but also prepares students for the dynamic realities of arts leadership.
Our research will explore how this methodology can be adapted to create open andragogy courses across various arts administration contexts. By combining oral history with arts leadership education, the curriculum aims to develop more effective, inclusive, and innovative arts leadership learning and teaching. The research collaboration summit discussion will help to inform future curriculum design, provide insights into evolving leadership practices, and offer a model for integrating hands-on research experiences into graduate-level arts administration and leadership education.
