Belmont University today announced its newest expansion within its Belmont USA offerings: Belmont ATL, a collaboration with the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, offering students a semester interning in Atlanta. This program promises to serve as a launchpad for entertainment professionals and entrepreneurs, offering them invaluable real-world experience in one of the world's most influential music and entertainment hubs.
The vision for the program began with Will Akers, former Motion Pictures chair; Dr. Eric Holt, assistant professor of music business and Dr. Cheryl Slay Carr, professor of music business.
Carr talked about the program's origins and its profound implications for students' career prospects: "Historically, New York, Los Angeles and Nashville have been the primary entertainment markets for opportunity and growth. That is simply no longer true. Atlanta is now an important location for music and film and has always been important for media. We wanted to provide students with a well-rounded curriculum that remains relevant and cutting edge. We want students to be positioned for this expanding entertainment industry."
Central to the program are customized internships tailored to students' specific fields of interest, covering areas such as marketing, social media, artist management, concert promotions, record studios, event management, publishing, hospitality, talent agencies, sports management, broadcasting and record company operations. These immersive learning experiences will take place in the heart of Atlanta's vibrant entertainment industry. Under the guidance of Belmont faculty, students will take the onsite "Entertainment and Culture of Atlanta" course, gaining deep insights into the city's thriving creative landscape.
Appointed as onsite manager for the Belmont ATL program, Richard Dunn is a seasoned music industry entrepreneur with a background of working alongside India.Arie, PJ Morton and Aaron Shust.
Carr said Dunn will provide an added strength of the program. "Nashville has been so effective for providing our students with internship opportunities because of the networks built here by our faculty and staff. Richard's extensive network reaches across the full spectrum of the entertainment industry and beyond it to include influencers and decision-makers that he can access. Richard's experience is also invaluable, as he possesses an array of skills to teach students how to navigate working with diverse populations. We are extremely fortunate to have him serving Belmont."
Carr's enthusiasm is matched by Dunn's, who believes in the transformative power of this program.
"Atlanta is an ideal location for creative minds, with its thriving music scene and rich cultural history,” Dunn said. “This program will give students a chance to explore their creativity and develop their entrepreneurial spirit."
Siobhan Harren, assistant director of Belmont USA, highlighted the significance of expanding Belmont's reach to Atlanta: "With similar established and successful Belmont USA programs in New York and Los Angeles, helping launch the careers of countless students, Atlanta serves as an exciting and significant next step for Belmont. Students will develop cultural competency by being exposed to Atlanta’s diverse landscape and will gain an understanding of Atlanta’s rich heritage and history in the civil rights movement, and the diversity and equity issues in the entertainment industry. Students will also gain an understanding of Atlanta’s music industry landscape and music business operations, by hearing from, and interacting with, industry professionals and attending industry events."
Belmont ATL welcomes applications from junior and senior-level students across various majors. For more information, visit belmont.edu/usa.