Society for Arts Leadership Educators

Building Emotional Intelligence in Arts Administration: A Pedagogical Approach
Presenters: Rachel Shane, Katie Mullen
This presentation explores the importance of integrating emotional intelligence (EI) instruction into undergraduate arts administration education. Recognized as an essential skill set for effective leadership and organizational management, emotional intelligence is particularly critical in the arts sector, where professionals navigate complex interpersonal relationships, manage diverse teams, and make thoughtful decisions under pressure.

The session will introduce the core components of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, empathy, teamwork, relationship management, and decision-making—emphasizing their relevance to arts administrators. Drawing on classical theories of emotional development and contemporary pedagogical approaches, the presentation will outline effective strategies for teaching these competencies in arts administration programs.

Particular focus will be given to experiential learning methods, such as practicums and internships, which allow students to practice and refine their emotional intelligence in professional environments. Practical examples of how to structure these experiences will be shared, highlighting methods for fostering students’ reflective practice.

Additionally, the presentation will discuss assessment strategies to measure students' emotional intelligence growth, including self-assessments, peer evaluations, and feedback from internship site supervisors. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for implementing emotional intelligence education in their curricula, ensuring students graduate with the interpersonal skills and leadership capacities needed for success in the arts field.

The Arts Administrators Pipeline Fellowship: Exploring Auxiliary Pathways to Arts Leadership Training
Presenters: Maclain Hardin-Kurza, Milena Deleva
This issue-based presentation and discussion will examine the Arts Administrators Pipeline Fellowship, a 12-month program that partners early-career arts administrators with California nonprofit arts organizations, as an innovative model for arts administration career development. Through analysis of the program's development, implementation, and evaluation methods, we will explore how auxiliary educational pathways can effectively prepare future arts leaders and invite discussion on creating similar initiatives.