American University

Through the Arts Management Program at the American University, students can pursue an MA, a Graduate Certificate, or the recently established Graduate Certificate in International Arts Management.

The MA program trains students to become arts administrators across performing and visual art disciplines. The program blends the basic tenets of administration with an understanding of the cultural sector in the global economy. The arts management MA program excels in providing students a decision making context for the jobs of the future through an understanding of cultural policy, international arts management issues, and organizational dynamics. The master's program prepares students to become effective advocates for the arts and to succeed in a wide range of administrative, managerial, and leadership positions. The arts management MA program curriculum is designed to combine current cultural and nonprofit theory with the best practices from the management field. Core courses focus on fundraising, marketing, and financial management of arts organizations. A flexible and interdisciplinary program, master’s students may take electives and rotating topic courses in museum management, art history, public administration, business administration, communication, international or public policy as well as participate in any of the Department of Performing Arts ensembles. Arts management master's students can apply classroom concepts in professional settings through internships and independent studies at numerous arts organizations in the Washington, DC area.

The Graduate Certificate in Arts Management is for students who wish to augment or begin arts management studies and is designed for those with a number of years of experience in the field. The arts management graduate certificate is a recognized form of continuing education. Students gain knowledge and experience in nonprofit arts management, including fundraising, marketing, governance, and cultural policy.

The new Graduate Certificate in International Arts Management is a joint certificate awarded by American University's International Communications Program of the School of International Service (ranked #5 in the world) and the Arts Management Program in the College of Arts and Sciences. This Certificate is the first in the world to combine intellectual examination of and practical training in international arts management. Students completing the Certificate in International Arts Management will have a specialization that makes them uniquely qualified to tackle a wide range of intercultural and international challenges within the diverse field of international arts. In particular, an International Arts Management Certificate will provide innovative international education and training to students in the skills necessary to engage in cultural work in projects of international scope or that have significant cross-cultural or transnational components. Graduates of the program may find work in embassies, international cultural NGOs, international divisions of cultural institutions, government entities dedicated to arts and culture and similar organizations. As a result, students will be able to act as community, national, and international leaders throughout the domain of arts and culture in a global context.