MA in Arts Administration

Located in the heart of New York City, this is a leadership program for activists, educators and managers in the arts.  It is designed to be both partner and supporter of the city's museums, theaters, galleries and concert halls, and to prepare students for leadership in a range of public, private, and non-profit arts institutions. 

This 36 credit (1.5 to 2 years) MA program is jointly sponsored by the principal components of Baruch: the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences; the Zicklin School of Business; and the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs.  Our faculty members come from many fields, among them fine and performing arts, communication studies, public policy, accounting, management, and organization theory.  Students’ work will include:

• A core curriculum focused on leadership and management in public, non-profit and commercial arts organizations.  Students will develop competence in finance, resource development, marketing, entertainment law, arts education and outreach, public policy, and advocacy, and they will meet with a wide range of artists, arts professionals, and civic leaders.
• Electives that encourage students to deepen their knowledge in particular fields: among them, theatre; orchestra and museum management; artist representation; and arts education. Students in the AA program may, with the permission of the Director, include in their coursework as many as two alternative elective Baruch graduate courses of relevance to their program.
• Internships that offer significant responsibilities and engaged mentors.
• A consultancy in the final semester with an arts organization, leading to a thesis or case study published online for use by future students and by practitioners in the field.

Program Learning Goals

Upon completion of an MA in Arts Administration, students will be able to:

1. Identify and analyze the political, social, technological and economic contexts and structures in the field of arts administration.
2. Understand, evaluate, and address the unique opportunities, challenges and threats facing artists and cultural organizations currently, with particular focus in areas of innovative leadership, diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency.
3. Communicate clearly in written and spoken word, applying business, management, and leadership skills in regards to the field of arts administration.
4. Assess government policy and its application for arts organizations within the context of current and innovative trends in the field, and appraise the modes of advocacy best applicable to different types of arts organizations and professionals.
5. Support the artist’s practice and cultural organizations through relationship building, resource development, marketing and audience development, strategic planning, community engagement, and research methodology.

Program Curriculum

Below is a listing of other relevant courses that may be available for students in the Arts Administration Program. Any of these courses may serve as electives within the programs.