About

Founded in 2002 by leadership from the University of Illinois, University of Michigan, and Arizona State University, the MUPs Consortium serves 22 university-affiliated performing arts centers. Its inception addressed the need for leaders in university-affiliated performing arts to enhance their organizational capacities, foster community interactions, curate diverse programming, secure robust capital and philanthropic support and make a more significant contribution to the work of our host universities. Each member engages with different institutions and communities yet shares a commitment to a common purpose, which is central to discussions within this community of practice. The consortium supports leadership teams and staff in sharing challenges and successes, encompassing entire organizations to encourage collaboration among directors in marketing, development, finance, and production. The consortium also explores field-wide initiatives, such as creating a co-commissioning fund and mentorship programs for emerging administrators.

Each of the Member Centers have broad responsibilities reaching across campus, frequently engaging with a wide range of Academic Departments and Centers.  Over time, the universities that host the highest impact centers/programs have recognized the strategic importance and broad impact of these centers as ‘public goods’ with importance and reach beyond a single college, an asset of the broader university as a whole.  The impact of these centers contributes to the public understanding of our wider role. Thus, in many cases, reporting lines, budgets, and long-range planning reach directly to Provosts, Presidents, and Chancellors.

Appropriately, holding our conferences on the campuses of Member Centers/Programs has provided the opportunity to meet with Provosts, Chancellors, and Presidents to discuss/envision our expanding role in addressing the University’s long term impacts.