Mason Hall, D21
Phone: 703-993-8381
Web: www.artsmanagement.gmu.edu

Faculty

• Meg Brindle, program director
• Professors: Reeder, R. Davis
• Associate Professors: Brindle (program director), Marcus, S. Martin
• Adjuncts: Carlborg, Celantano, Hill, Kamenitzer, Richard, J. Ward

Arts Management, MA

The MA in arts management 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. The Washington, D.C., region is home to one of the nation's largest concentrations of performing and visual arts organizations. The demand for arts administrators with skills in financial and budgetary management, strategic management and entrepreneurship, and public relations—including marketing and advertising—has arguably never been more acute. The need for arts administrators with skills in philanthropy, fund-raising, and ongoing relationship-building management among the private and public arts sectors also continues to grow at a fast pace.

The MA is a 37-credit program of study that provides a core curriculum in the fundamentals of arts management. Students complete a 19-credit core, and then select courses from a cluster: entrepreneurship in the arts and management; finance and budgeting for the arts; marketing and public relations; or an arts-specific cluster. Students also take internal and external internships. The internal internship affords an in-depth opportunity to work with professionals in residence at Mason's Center for the Arts. The external internship provides the opportunity to work at one of 60 different visual and performing arts venues in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Admissions Requirements

The program is geared toward those with a passion for the arts. Diversity in applicants is anticipated and sought, and candidates will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. It is anticipated that applicants will come from the arts community, with experience and training in music, dance, theater, and visual and technical arts, and that they wish to add the skills of marketing, finance, strategy, entrepreneurship, and management to their repertoire. It is also expected that students will enter with more developed skills in the business side of the arts, and that they wish to unite these skills with prior experiences in the arts.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for university admission for graduate study, candidates must hold an undergraduate degree. They also must have an interview with at least one member of the program faculty or admissions committee.

Applicants must submit the following items:

• Undergraduate transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the applicant's academic or professional capabilities
• A two-page (maximum) statement of intent and goals

Additionally, applicants may submit a portfolio that demonstrates work experience. Internship experience for recent graduates will also be considered.

Degree Requirements