George Mason University

Arts Management, MA

3330 N. Washington Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-993-8926
Web: artsmanagement.gmu.edu

Faculty

Richard Kamenitzer, Program Director

Nicole Springer, Assistant Director Professional Development

Professor: Reeder

Associate Professors: Kamenitzer (program director), Marcus, Rosenstein

Assistant Professors: Dawn, Gao

Adjunct Faculty: Allen, Berardelli, Bienvenu, Bursten, Case, Corbett, Denhardt-Cissna, Goldstein,Herrmann, Hill, Huschle, Johnson, Kaiser, Lopez, Madden, Salmon, Simpson, Smith, Smyers, Springer, Sweet, Thompson

Course Work

The Arts Management program offers all course work designated AMGT in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.

Program

The MA in arts management responds to a growing demand for graduates who can manage and coordinate the arts, bridging the world of performing and visual arts with applied managerial skills. The Washington, D.C., region is home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of performing and visual arts organizations. The demand for arts managers with skills in financial and budgetary management, strategic management and entrepreneurship, and public relations, including marketing and advertising, has arguably never been more acute. The need for arts managers with skills in philanthropy, fund raising, and ongoing relationship-building management among the private and public arts sectors also continues to grow at a fast pace.

The MA is a 36-credit program of study that provides a core curriculum in the fundamentals of arts management. Students complete a 24-credit core and then select 6 credits of approved elective courses.  Students also take internal and  external internships. The internal internship affords an in-depth opportunity to work with professionals in residence at Mason’s Center for the Arts. The external internship provides the opportunity to work at more than 60 different visual and performing arts venues in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Admissions Requirements

The program is geared toward those with a passion for the arts. Diversity among applicants is anticipated and sought, and candidates are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Work experience is strongly preferred. It is anticipated that applicants will come from the arts community, with experience and training in music, dance, theater, and visual and technical arts and wish to add the skills of marketing, finance, strategy, entrepreneurship, and management to their repertoire. It is also expected that students will enter with more developed skills in the business side of the arts and wish to unite these skills with prior experiences in the arts. Completed applications must be received by March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring.

In addition to meeting general requirements for university admission for graduate study, applicants must submit the following items:

• Official undergraduate transcripts listing a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s academic or professional capabilities
• A two-page (maximum) statement of intent and goals
• Resume

Applicants might be asked to interview with at least one member of the program faculty or Admissions Committee. In addition, applicants may submit a portfolio that demonstrates work experience. Internship experience for recent graduates will also be considered.

Academic Policies

Please see College of Visual and Performing Arts for college academic policies.