Major: Arts Management
If you love the arts, you can make a career of supporting them. Arts management programs prepare students for working with artists and art institutions, such as museums and dance companies, to promote art, raise funds and manage finances, and develop programs. You’ll get a strong foundation in business and economics, and learn about what special issues and challenges the art world faces today.
Students of arts management learn how to use business skills to manage arts organizations and facilities, such as galleries, museums, and studios.
Did You Know?
- Some studio artists may double major in arts management to gain arts-specific management and administrative skills.
Are You Ready To...?
- Develop a broad knowledge of visual and performing arts
- Learn about laws and regulations that affect nonprofit arts organizations
- Write strategic plans (business documents outlining the future plans of an organization)
- Practice creating budgets
- Learn how to write proposals and applications for grants
- Handle artwork and install art exhibits
- Be active in your local arts community
- Complete an internship
It Helps to Be...
Enthusiastic about bringing the arts to new and larger audiences. It also helps to have excellent communication skills, which you’ll need to work with diverse groups such as the public, the board of directors, artists, and donors.
College Checklist
- Does the program have its own department?
- What are the backgrounds and interests of the faculty?
- Does the campus have modern performance and gallery spaces?
- Will the program help you find an internship in arts management?
- Will the program help you find a job after graduation?
Did You Know?
- People already working in the arts may pursue an arts management degree to further their careers.
Course Spotlight
A course in gallery fundamentals provides an introduction to the purposes, procedures, and functions of art museums and galleries. You’ll learn how to design and install exhibits and how to identify, handle, and care for art objects. As part of the course work, students often get the opportunity to help install and maintain exhibitions in on-campus galleries.
