Employing Service-Learning to Reinforce Effective Program Theory in the Arts

Authors

  • Kate Preston Keeney College of Charleston

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JNEL-2019-V9-I4-8958

Keywords:

experiential learning, service-learning, program theory, nonprofit arts organizations

Abstract

Nonprofit arts organizations not only struggle to apply traditional program design and evaluation techniques to artistic outcomes but also have limited capacity in carrying out such practices that are essential to sound programs and organizational learning. This research positions graduate-level service-learning programs both as a solution for arts organizations with limited capacity in program design and as a robust pedagogical tool for students studying program theory in the nonprofit context. Framed by the complexities facing nonprofit arts organizations in employing traditional management techniques, I describe a graduate-level service-learning project that offers evidence of impact for increased organizational and student learning. Additionally, the research provides lessons learned for equivalent experiential learning settings, specifically in the nonprofit arts context.

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Author Biography

Kate Preston Keeney, College of Charleston

Dr. Keeney is an Assistant Professor of Arts Management at the College of Charleston in Charleston,
South Carolina. Her research interests bridge arts management and public policy and management
scholarship with a specific focus on arts policy, organizations, and nonprofit management. Dr. Keeney is
both a scholar and an experienced administrator in the arts and higher education administration settings.
She holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration and
Public Affairs from Virginia Tech, a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Arts Management from American
University, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) in viola performance from James Madison University.

Published

2019-10-10

Issue

Section

Articles