MA in Arts Management in Washington Dc United States | American University

Bring art to life: Arts Management is the professional field that empowers artists to express their vision, helps audiences discover joy, enables organizations to secure resources, and fosters vibrant creative communities.

Our master's program and graduate certificates in Arts Management equip you with the expertise, practical experience, professional network, and supportive community essential for a thriving career in arts and cultural administration. Developed over 40 years, our 34-credit Master of Arts curriculum combines fundamental arts-management principles with customizable options to align with your professional aspirations.

The program includes 21 credits of strategic core coursework covering arts administration, audience engagement, development strategies, fiscal planning, organizational leadership, cultural policy, and legal considerations. Six elective credits let you concentrate on specific disciplines, positions, or specialized topics within arts management or explore relevant graduate courses across American University and Washington-area consortium institutions. The program culminates in seven capstone credits, where you'll complete an impactful research or portfolio project showcasing your specialized knowledge to colleagues and potential employers.