Arts Administration

Overview

As both partner and supporter of the city’s world-renowned museums, theaters, galleries, and cultural institutions, the MA in Arts Administration program at The City University of New York prepares students for leadership as activists, educators and managers to ensure a bright future for the wide range of public, private, and non-profit arts institutions in our field.

The 36-unit (1.5 to 2 years) MA program admits students each semester, and includes a core curriculum focused on leadership and management in public, non-profit and commercial arts organizations. 

Integrated courses and experiential learning

Utilizing the wealth of our New York City arts community, students learn from faculty and guest speakers representing a diversity of artists, arts professionals, and civic leaders. Students develop competence in finance, resource development, marketing, audience engagement, entertainment law, arts education and outreach, public policy, and advocacy.

The core curriculum is further enhanced by a wide range of electives that provide the opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge within specific areas of interest as well as explore disciplines new to them. 

Students are expected to study across artistic disciplines to increase their awareness of the field as a whole and better prepare them for success in our fast-paced and ever-changing field. With a practical approach, the program encourages students to engage in professional internships with engaged mentors; and, in their final semester, students develop a consultancy with an arts organization, leading to a thesis or case study for use by the organization, as well as future students and practitioners in the field.

Flexible approach

We serve part- and full-time students with courses scheduled to meet the needs of working professionals as well as full time students. The majority of courses are offered in the evening after 6 pm. Some students have substantial experience in cultural institutions, others are recent college graduates, and still more are contemplating career changes.