What is arts administration?

Arts administration refers to all aspects of the management of arts and cultural organizations. Arts administrators work in the nonprofit, public (governmental), entrepreneurial, and for-profit sectors. The study of arts administration provides individuals with the knowledge, tools, and understanding to create, design, develop, lead, fund, evaluate, and advocate for arts and cultural programs, people, and organizations.

 

What is the difference between arts administration & arts management?

There is essentially no difference between arts administration and arts management, and the two terms are often used interchangeably.

 

Why study arts administration?

As more arts and cultural organizations as well as funders, foundations, and government agencies recognize the value of the highly specialized training that people with degrees in arts administration receive, employers are increasingly seeking candidates with master’s level training for key staff positions.

 

What will I learn?

The core curriculum of the M.A. in Arts Administration (M.A.A.A.) at Goucher covers all key areas of arts administration along with a variety of electives that allow each student to design their own path through the program.

Courses include:

• Marketing
• Finance
• Fundraising
• Grantsmanship
• Arts and Public Policy
• Leadership
• Law in the Arts
• Arts Writing and Research
• Managing Performing Arts Organizations
• Arts Education
• Managing Visual Arts Organizations
• New Ventures in the Arts/ Entrepreneurship
• Cultural Ecosystems
• International Arts Policy
• Art and Activism for Social Justice
• Arts and Social Justice
• Arts in the Community
• Current Topics in Arts Administration

 

What kinds of jobs do M.A.A.A. alumni have?

Our graduates are planning, facilitating, evaluating, and raising money; designing and opening new facilities; educating students of all ages; consulting in areas like audience development, strategic planning, and financial development; developing and managing public arts programs and arts advocacy organizations; and exploring arts research for non-profits and government agencies. 

In addition to their own employment in arts administration, many of our M.A.A.A. alumni continue to create their own art, serve on non-profit arts boards of directors, and adjudicate arts funding for regional, state, and federal organizations.

 

Where do M.A.A.A. Alumni work?

Graduates work in various jobs and fields all over the world, for a diverse group of companies and organizations, including the California Shakespeare Theater, the College of the Bahamas, New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Seattle Opera, to name a few.