Universities Offering Arts Management

Introduction

In my previous post titled Understanding Arts Management: A Unique MBA Equivalent, I drew parallels between a Master’s in Arts Management (MAM) and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), emphasizing that the MAM degree is essentially a MBA with a specialization in the creative industries. The arts sector isn’t confined to one city or country; it’s a vibrant, global landscape. Many aspiring arts managers, cultural administrators, and artspreneurs are seeking formal education to develop the skills necessary for success in this field.

To help you navigate your options, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to universities around the world that offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Arts Management which may also be referred to as Arts Administration, Cultural Management, and other related names. Whether you’re interested in studying in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, or beyond, this list will point you toward some of the leading programs designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the arts sector.

North America: A Hub of Arts Management Education

United States

The U.S. is home to some of the most renowned programs in arts management. Universities here often integrate business principles with arts and cultural sector knowledge, preparing students for leadership roles.

Columbia College Chicago (School of Business & Entrepreneurship – Masters in Arts Management)
Columbia offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes in Arts and Entertainment Management. Columbia’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship allows you to select your own journey with hands-on projects, internships, and study away opportunities focused on your interests in creative industries. The faculty are professionals who do what they teach and leverage industry relationships to connect students globally. PS. This is my alma mater and I 100% recommend if you’re a hands-on learner like me.
Learn more about the Master of Arts Management at CCC.
Columbia University School of the Arts (Masters in Arts Administration)
Columbia’s program combines arts management, leadership, and entrepreneurship, housed within a prestigious Ivy League institution. It emphasizes practical skills, networking, and real-world projects.
Learn more about the Master of Arts Administration at Columbia
New York University (NYU Steinhardt – Arts Management Program)
NYU offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes focusing on arts administration, cultural policy, and nonprofit management. Its location in New York City provides ample opportunities for internships and industry engagement.
NYU Arts Management Program

Canada

Canada also boasts strong programs that blend policy, management, and cultural development.

University of Toronto (Arts and Cultural Management)
The Department of Arts, Culture, and Media offers a Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on arts management, cultural policy, and community engagement.
UBC Arts and Cultural Management program
York University (Cultural Policy & Management)
Located in Toronto, York offers undergraduate and master’s degrees with a focus on cultural policy, arts administration, and community arts.
York University Cultural Management Programs

Europe: A Center of Cultural Heritage and Innovation

United Kingdom

The UK has a long tradition of arts and cultural education, with programs emphasizing policy, management, and creative enterprise.

Goldsmiths, University of London (MA in Arts and Cultural Management)
Known for its creative and cultural programmes, Goldsmiths offers a multidisciplinary MA focusing on arts management, policy, and creative enterprise.
Goldsmiths MA Arts & Cultural Management
University of Edinburgh (MA in Arts Management and Cultural Policy)
This program prepares students for leadership roles in arts organizations, cultural policy development, and arts entrepreneurship.
University of Edinburgh Program Details
King’s College London (PhD in Culture, Media and Creative Industries)
This program program fosters innovative thinking and research methods essential for addressing the evolving landscape of cultural practice and policy.
PhD in Culture, Media and Creative Industries program details

France

Sciences Po Paris (Master in Cultural Policy & Management)
Sciences Po is renowned for its programmes in political science and social sciences, including a specialized master’s in cultural policy and management. It offers an analytical approach to cultural governance, policy, and administration.
Sciences Po Cultural Policy & Management

Germany

University of Leipzig (MA in Culture and Management)
The Leipzig program emphasizes cultural policy, project management, and how to foster sustainable cultural practices.
University of Leipzig Culture and Management

Australia & New Zealand: Growing Arts Management Sectors

Australia

University of Melbourne (Master of Arts and Cultural Management)
This program prepares students for managerial roles across various arts sectors, emphasizing leadership, arts policy, and community engagement.
University of Melbourne Arts & Cultural Management

New Zealand

Victoria University of Wellington (Master of Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship)
Focusing on innovative approaches to arts and cultural enterprises

Asia: Emerging Hubs of Cultural Innovation

China

Beijing Normal University (MA in Arts Management)
This program combines cultural policy, arts administration, and management studies, preparing students for careers in cultural institutions, government agencies, and private arts organizations. Beijing Normal University emphasizes integrating Chinese cultural perspectives with global arts management practices.
Beijing Normal University Arts Management Program

Singapore

National University of Singapore (NUS) – Master of Arts in Arts Management
NUS offers a program designed to develop leadership and strategic skills in arts administration, catering to the vibrant Southeast Asian cultural scene. The curriculum blends arts, business, and policy.
NUS Arts Management Program

Japan

Tokyo University of the Arts (Graduate Program in Arts Administration)
This program educates future arts administrators, focusing on cultural policy, arts marketing, and management within Japan’s rich arts environment.
Tokyo University of the Arts

South America: Growing Cultural Sectors

Brazil

Universidade de São Paulo (USP) – Master in Cultural Management
USP’s program aims to foster expertise in cultural policies, cultural projects, and management strategies within Brazil’s diverse and dynamic cultural landscape.
USP Cultural Management Program

Argentina

University of Buenos Aires (UBA) – Degree in Cultural Management
This undergraduate program prepares students for roles in cultural institutions, festivals, and community arts initiatives across Argentina and Latin America.
UBA Cultural Management

Chile

University of Chile – Master in Cultural Management and Policy
It emphasizes cultural policy analysis, project management, and fostering cultural development in Latin American contexts.
University of Chile

Africa: Cultivating Heritage and Creative Industries

South Africa

University of Cape Town (UCT) – MA in Arts Management
UCT’s program develops skills in arts administration, nonprofit management, and cultural policy, with a focus on empowering local arts initiatives and heritage preservation.
UCT Arts Management

Kenya

University of Nairobi – Bachelor of Arts in Cultural and Heritage Studies
While more academically oriented, this program integrates arts management and cultural policy, leading to careers in heritage management, festivals, or policy development.
University of Nairobi

Egypt

American University in Cairo (AUC) – Certificate in Arts Management
AUC offers certificate and diploma programs designed to support the burgeoning arts and cultural sector in the Middle East and North Africa.
AUC Arts Management

Final Thoughts

The landscape of arts management education is truly global. Whether you choose a program in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, or Africa, the key is to select a curriculum aligned with your career aspirations, cultural interests, and geographic preferences. Many programs also offer specializations in areas like cultural policy, arts entrepreneurship, museum management, or digital arts, so exploring each institution’s specific focus can help you find the right fit.

Embarking on a degree in Arts Management, Arts Administration, or Cultural Management is an investment into a fulfilling career that combines creativity with strategic leadership. The cultural sectors across the world are eager for passionate professionals equipped with both managerial skills and cultural insight.

Next Steps

If you’re considering applying, be sure to check each program’s admission requirements, scholarship opportunities, and whether they offer online or hybrid options—especially relevant in today’s global landscape. Reach out to alumni or current students to get insights into the program’s strengths and opportunities for hands-on experience.

Feel free to ask if you want help crafting application essays, preparing for interviews, or understanding specific program details. The world of arts management is vast and full of opportunity—your adventure starts here!

Institutions! Individuals! If there are other Arts or Cultural Management programmes that are not mentioned and you would like them added to the list, comment below and I’ll add them to the line-up.