Online MA in Arts Management

Develop Entrepreneurial and Leadership Skills in Arts Management

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, I consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

At a Glance

Turn your passion for the arts into career momentum with the OU Online Master of Arts in Arts Management. In just 15 months of fully online study, you’ll gain the strategic skills needed to lead in today’s creative economy—from fundraising and financial management to marketing and arts administration.

Whether you’re launching your career or advancing to the next level, this program transforms creative professionals into confident, purpose-driven leaders who make an impact in galleries, theaters, nonprofits, and cultural organizations across the country.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

15+ Months

Credit Hours:

Time Commitment:

10 to 20 hours weekly

start dates

Fall, Spring

cost

Earning an online MA in Arts Management equips you with the skills to stand out in a fast-changing creative industry, while opening doors to higher earning potential, career growth, and new professional opportunities.

Tuition and fees total $30,450 ($1,015 per credit hour). This cost does not include books, additional materials, or participation in the Arts Incubation Lab intensive.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, l consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

About the Online Master of Arts in Arts Management

The OU Online Master of Arts in Arts Management is a 30-credit-hour program designed to build the leadership, strategic thinking, and business acumen needed to thrive in today’s dynamic arts landscape. Whether you’re pursuing a career in art business, education, management, contract negotiation, for-profit or nonprofit leadership, financial planning, marketing, or project and organizational management, this program equips you with the tools to lead with confidence and creativity.

Through a curriculum grounded in real-world application, students sharpen their problem-solving and research skills while gaining hands-on experience through an internship, a personalized specialization, or the immersive Arts Incubation Lab intensive.

What Can I Do with an MA in Arts Management?

You’ll gain the creative, innovative, entrepreneurial skills and business acumen to boost your career and become a leader in arts and culture organizations. Accelerate your career in these areas:

Promoting Own Career and Company
Stage Production and Management
Recording Industry

Bookings and Event Promotion
Broadcasting
Blogging and Music/Arts Journalism

Industry Insights

Median Pay: $84,400
Job Outlook: Research indicates that job postings that preferred or required a master’s degree advertised a median salary $36,800 higher than the total field of postings
Job Openings: In 2020, there were 42,365 total postings for art management professionals

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn

The MA in Arts Management is ideal for students from artistic backgrounds who want to build business expertise, as well as professionals with business experience who are passionate about supporting artists and working in creative organizations. Whether your goal is to lead in operations, production, education, or outreach, this program equips you with the tools to thrive.

Build artistic sustainability, entrepreneurial success, and the ability to drive creative and social change in business
Gain the knowledge and leadership skills to advance your career in arts and culture organizations
Stay relevant and impactful in a rapidly evolving field that values innovative, forward-thinking leaders
Engage in ethical decision-making that is sensitive to issues of access and belonging to inform leadership practices in arts management
Apply critical thinking, evidence-based strategies, and creative problem-solving to real-world challenges

Course Details

Courses blend applied knowledge in finance, marketing, and negotiation with hands-on, arts-focused projects that emphasize ideation, action, pitching, planning, and strategic execution. Students complete credit hours of practicum through a customized mix of internships, independent study, and the Arts Incubation Lab (additional cost), gaining real-world experience that directly supports their career goals.

*Students will also choose 6 hours of fine arts electives and 6 hours of practicum electives from approved course lists.

Course Structure

You’ll earn 30 credit hours across 10 courses – six core courses, two elective courses and 2 practicum courses. Most courses are eight weeks long, and you’ll take two 8-week courses during a semester.

Courses are a mix of asynchronous and synchronous content, with live sessions offered once per week on a weeknight. Attendance in live sessions is strongly recommended but not mandatory. Students may be required to watch the recording and complete an assignment based on it if they do not attend in real time.

Practicum Courses

Internship and Independent Study courses are 14 or 16 weeks
The Arts Incubation Lab is about two weeks of total intensive work and experiences

Overview of Arts Management and Entrepreneurship

Credit Hours: 3

This class will present an overview and historical perspective of the field of arts entrepreneurship and management. Readings will be supplemented by guest speakers and visits to professional organizations, enhancing the student's understanding of the diversity of the professional opportunities in arts administration and arts management.

Marketing in the Arts

Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine the challenges of audience development and discussion of the role of art in contemporary society. This course will explore the basics of negotiations (distributive and integrative bargaining) before delving into current examples in the arts industry and explores the basics of marketing (planning, implementation, analysis) as well as how these principles relate to social media.

Fundraising and Development in the Arts

Credit Hours: 3

This course explores approaches to the development of capital for projects, whether for artists or arts organizations, including techniques for facilitation of individual donations, corporate/foundation contributions, and government grants. Students will learn important frameworks and tools for organizing avenues of financial support, including workback and follow-up schedules, drafting appeal letters, managing deadlines, cultivating requests, and writing with key governing values.

Fine Arts Electives

Artist Management
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the role, importance, and function of artist managers and artistic teams, and how they impact the career of the artist and their brand. Students will examine the principles of leadership dynamics and motivation to focus and empower current and potential managers. This course provides the tools necessary to manage artists' careers across various artistic disciplines.

Innovative Approaches to Museum Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares students to lead effectively in the constantly evolving museum landscape. It cultivates the field knowledge, professional skills, and innovative mindset necessary to practice leadership at all organizational levels. Students will be introduced to the organizational structures, policies, and practices of museum governance, including topics such as museum mission, strategy, and administration.

The Global Arts Market
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the art business world. It equips students with a practical understanding of the various aspects of the art industry, including galleries, auction houses, art fairs, foundations, museums, and artist collectives. Through the analysis of case studies and real-world examples, students will learn about the economic, legal, and ethical considerations underpinning the art market.

Theatre Management
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the study of the fundamental operations of commercial, professional non-profit, stock, dinner, and university theatre in the United States.

Entrepreneurial Mindset in the Arts

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed for students who are intent on developing artistic sustainability, entrepreneurial success, and creative/social change. A career in tomorrow's art industry benefits from a mindset that welcomes change, fast-paced decision-making, and a rock-solid foundation of values, work ethic, and reasoning. This course is delivered through various arts-focused exercises/projects dealing with ideation, action, marketing, pitching, plans and strategy.

Financial Management and Budgeting in the Arts

Credit Hours: 3

This class will examine financial models, accounting, and contractual practices of successful culture-based organizations. Arts managers are expected to understand how to apply best financial management and budgeting practices to cultural organizations. This course provides an overview of best practices for budgeting for artistic ideas for entrepreneurs and will explore long-range planning implications and budget forecasting models for arts organizations.

Leadership and Strategic Thinking in the Arts

Credit Hours: 3

This course is for students who are intent on developing sustainability and use design-thinking strategies to achieve their goals as entrepreneurial artists or by serving culture-based organizations. The course provides best strategic practices for leaders of arts organizations, encouraging students to determine the importance of planning and decision-making, and will address the importance of strategic thinking, change management, and leadership.

Practicum Electives

Internship I in The Arts
Credit Hours: 1-3
Students arrange for and work in a focused professional work experience.

Arts Incubation Lab
Credit Hours: 3
This course is based on experiential learning and runs concurrently with an external competitive program for entrepreneurial projects in the professional arts marketplace. Students in this course will have the opportunity to build on the basics of entrepreneurship and management skills acquired within the courses of the Graduate Certificate in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship.

Independent Practicum
Credit Hours: 3
The Independent Practicum in Arts Management allows students to work independently on a project of their choice under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The course is centered around completing an independent project tied to the student's career aspiration, featuring regular check-ins and guided research, all organized using project management.

Why Choose OU Online for an MA in Arts Management

OU Online delivers high-quality, affordable undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible, fully online format—backed by the reputation of a top-tier public institution. The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts upholds a legacy of excellence in the arts, with faculty, staff, and students dedicated to advancing the arts in Oklahoma, across the nation, and around the world.

Faculty Expertise

The MA in Arts Management curriculum is designed and taught by industry leaders and expert faculty who bring real-world experience and insight into every course. You’ll learn from innovative professionals across the creative sector, including museum directors, arts entrepreneurs, startup founders, and music festival program managers.

Robust Student Support

OU Online provides comprehensive student support services, including academic advising, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and career development resources. The program is designed to support working professionals, enabling you to develop your leadership and arts management skills while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With a global network of more than 250,000 alumni, becoming a Sooner connects you to a powerful community of arts leaders. You’ll gain access to professionals working in creative organizations worldwide, helping you expand your network and accelerate your career.

Flexible Format

The MA in Arts Management is delivered 100% online, allowing students to apply their learnings directly and immediately to their career while continuing to work full-time. There are numerous options for specialization through internships, independent study, and intensives that suit each student’s lifestyle and career goals.

Tailored Experience

A career in tomorrow’s art industry benefits from a mindset that welcomes change, fast-paced decision-making, and a rock-solid foundation of values, work ethic, and reasoning. OU Online’s M.A. in Arts Management degree is attainable and valuable for a multitude of backgrounds and career goals, and through their chosen practicum, students will gain a project-based learning experience.

The arts management program at OU Online helped me find my dream job. Not only did the courses help me fill in some crucial gaps in my knowledge about managing an arts business, but they also helped me determine exactly what my goals were and what steps I needed to take to get there. As an artist, I now feel empowered and ready to create a career out of my passions. To top it all off, I got hired at a wonderful theatre company before graduation.

Catherine Kelly Johnson

MA in Arts Management

Cost & Financial Aid

An online Master of Arts in Arts Management is a powerful investment in your future. With 78% of OU Online graduates reporting that the skills they gained made them more competitive in their careers, this program delivers real value and long-term impact.

Tuition and fees total $30,450 ($1,015 per credit hour). This cost does not include books or additional materials.

The optional Arts Incubation Lab offers a unique, immersive experience but is not included in tuition and is not eligible for financial aid. The lab carries a $2,940 program fee, which covers housing, site visits, activities, in-country travel, and three meals.

Once admitted, students must submit a $350 nonrefundable deposit within two weeks. This deposit secures your place in the upcoming class and is applied toward tuition.

Financial aid, merit and need-based scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce costs. For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu.

A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.

* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Transfer Credit

You can transfer up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework per Graduate College policy and with approval of the department.

Take the Next Step

To apply to the online Arts Management degree, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent).

Application Process

Complete the online application - https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/
Submit a current resume
Submit transcripts
- Note: unofficial transcripts can be provided for an admissions decision, but all official transcripts must be provided by all institutions where the student earned graduate credit or are degree-bearing (bachelor's and above)
300-500-word personal statement describing your career goals and how the MA AM program aligns with those goals
- How will you get to your goals? Address any educational history, including any GPA disparity in undergrad GPA

Application Timeline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Admissions may continue until two weeks before the start of classes. A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester's tuition.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, official transcripts, and a personal statement.