The Arts Management Program at George Mason University seeks to advance the management of all aspects of the arts. Our graduates, taught by some of this country’s most outstanding practicing managers, provide for the development and nurturing of artists, audiences, and communities. The Mason Arts Management Program, located in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, offers a 34 credit hour MA in arts management, an undergraduate minor in arts management, and an accelerated MA 4+1 option. The program responds to a growing demand for graduates who can manage and coordinate the arts, bridging the world of performing and visual arts with applied managerial skills. Prospective students who are interested in visiting campus to learn more about the program are encouraged to attend an information session (link: https://artsmanagement.gmu.edu/admissions/information-sessions) or to make an appointment for an individual meeting by [email protected].

Arts Management Minor:
The fields of visual and performing arts offer many career paths that rely on a strong foundation in one or more art forms and require specific knowledge and skills in administration and management. The minor in arts management is open to all majors and requires 18 credits to complete

Accelerated BA, MA Arts Management:
The Arts Management Program offers an intensive 4+1 program for interested undergraduate students to start working on their master’s degree while they’re completing their bachelor’s. This degree option allows you to combine your creative passion as an artist in music, theater, dance, or art with key arts management skills that will open more doors for your professional success post-graduation. Applicants receive a waiver of the graduate application fee and admitted students may obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree after satisfactory completion of 144-150 credits (number of required credits depends on the degree program). The Accelerated MA option is open to all programs at Mason, please contact the Arts Management Program to learn more.

Dual Arts Management and Art History – MA Program:
This degree option is open to new students, and to students already enrolled in either the Arts Management MA program or Art History MA program.
Students can apply up to 6 credits of Arts Management to the Art History degree and 9 credits of Art History to the Arts Management degree. (Art History MA requires a total of 30 credits and Arts Management MA requires 34 credits).

Non-degree Graduate Admissions:
Admissions options are open to all and allows students access to specific Arts Management graduate courses for non-degree credit. Many times, students go on to complete the graduate application and transfer in their credits towards the full MA degree. Perfect for adult learners who are returning to the classroom or navigating busy professional and personal calendars.

Learn to Build, Sustain and Lead Arts Organizations

Our program, which is aimed at students interested in nonprofit performing or visual arts management, cultural heritage, and agencies and associations, places a strong emphasis on developing practical managerial skills in financial management, marketing, public relations, governance, fundraising and development, through both classroom study and experiential learning. Management courses are situated in a core framework of classes devoted to understanding the place of arts in society, and designed to foster leadership and entrepreneurship in the arts. Internships are an integral part of the arts management student experience at Mason and provide an opportunity to delve deeply into a specific focus area of arts management, while gaining professional experience through meaningful work. Too see a list of where our students have interned visit: http://artsmanagement.gmu.edu/internships/

Core Course Work:
Fundraising and Development
The Arts in Governance and Financial Management
Arts Internship

Elective Course Work:
International Arts Management – Study Abroad Course
Legal Aspects in Arts Management
Grant Writing
Technology in the Arts
Arts Entrepreneurship
Festivals and Special Events

The program is geared toward today’s working professionals, with part-time and full-time plans of study. Diversity among applicants is anticipated and sought, and candidates are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Work experience is strongly preferred. It is anticipated that some students will come from the arts community, with experience and training in music, dance, theater, and visual and technical arts and wish to add the skills of marketing, finance, strategy, entrepreneurship, and management to their repertoire. It is also expected that some students will enter with more developed skills in business and wish to unite these skills with prior experiences in the arts. Graduate admissions is rolling; however priority scholarship deadlines are February 15 for fall and October 15 for spring. Additional admissions materials is needed for international applications.