The arts —— theater, music, dance, and fine arts — impact communities in significant ways. And, in turn, individuals who manage arts organizations play a crucial role in achieving that impact. The book Fundamentals of Arts Management provides a solid grounding in the essentials. Its aim is to improve the quality of leadership and, as such, make a difference in how well arts organizations perform.

Although Fundamentals of Arts Management is intended for newcomers to the field, nonprofit professionals and volunteers will find it useful as well. First published in 1987, it is still a highly regarded textbook used in undergraduate- and graduate-level arts management courses. Contributing authors include well-known educators, arts leaders, and arts managers who share their expertise about the skills needed to lead arts organizations.

Now in its fourth edition, Fundamentals of Arts Management examines management issues of interest to both visual and performing arts organizations, including strategic planning, board development, marketing, and fundraising. New to this edition are chapters on community organizing, program evaluation, arts education, and accessibility. This unique work is comprehensive in its coverage of each topic and includes numerous worksheets, exercises, and tips. For example, the chapter entitled "Cultural Access: Everyone's Welcome!" explains the Americans with Disabilities Act and offers tips for developing disability awareness and making facilities, programs, and communications accessible to everyone. "Marketing: Tools for the Arts" covers such topics as the rules for marketing success, how to conduct market research, and how to develop a strategic marketing plan. An extensive list of print and online bibliographic resources can be found at the end of each section.

Perhaps the one drawback of this practical guide to the field of arts management is that it is difficult to read at one sitting. Readers may therefore want to keep it on hand as a reference book, to be consulted as issues arise.