Master of Arts in Arts Administration

Become an Arts Leader

The 100% Online Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MAAA) program prepares individuals interested in contributing to the creative industry as innovative leaders. Through in-depth preparation, these arts leaders learn how to inspire audiences and their organizations, sustain financial support, manage resources, and create innovative strategies that sustain organizations. 

Graduate Program Director:
Robert Wildman
wildmanr@winthrop.edu 


Why Winthrop?

Woman talking to students in a gallery

GA Positions

Students have the opportunity to work in their departments and around campus as graduate assistants.

Older man laughing at a desk with art in the background

Quality Program

Winthrop University is a member of the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), the international professional organization that promotes standards of education in arts administration.

Two women talking in a gallery surrounded by small gold statues on pedestals

Nationally-Regarded Faculty

Our faculty and professors are experienced and nationally-regarded in their respective subjects.

"The faculty in the MAAA program were kind, encouraging, and helpful. Their varied experiences and backgrounds brought a depth of knowledge to the program that expanded beyond the textbook and into real world applications."


Click below to learn more about the program!

    Winthrop University’s 100% online MAAA program allows our students to benefit from the flexibility and convenience of being able to access your courses from any device while still having the same quality and resources of a campus-based program.


    Time to completion: 2 years

    Total Credits: 36 credit hours

    Format: Online

    Curriculum (MA - Arts Administration) - Click on "Requirements"

      Graduates of the MAAA program will:

      • Evaluate and appropriately utilize the historical development and strategic planning for non-profit arts organizations.
      • Evaluate and utilize fiscal sustainability and institutional development for non-profit arts organizations.
      • Create a marketing plan using the techniques, skills and modern tools necessary for the production, distribution, and marketing of the arts.
      • Interpret and apply key aspects of the legal, policy, and ethical environments of the arts.
      • Evaluate and appropriately apply knowledge in advocacy and community relations for the arts.
      • Identify and utilize research methodologies and skills to conceptualize, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate data.
      • Evaluate how leadership affects the various aspects of a non-profit organization.
      • Complete an individual capstone research paper or project as the culmination of their learning experience.

        Master of Arts in Arts Administration Deadline: Deadlines TBD

        Note: All admission materials must be received by the Graduate Studies office before an application will be reviewed

         

        Application requirements for the Master of Arts in Arts Administration program include:

        • Complete the online Graduate Studies application with the non-refundable application fee.

        • Request official transcript(s) from all institutions attended for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Transcripts must be sent directly to Winthrop's Graduate Studies office from the issuing institution(s). We cannot accept transcripts (even sealed, official transcripts) from individuals.

        • Hold a baccalaureate degree with an overall undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

        • Have at least one year of professional or volunteer experience in a nonprofit arts/cultural environment or, if accepted, identify and complete volunteer opportunities with non-profit arts organizations in their communities.

        • Two letters of recommendation. Recommendations from arts and/or academic professionals who can speak about the applicant’s involvement in the nonprofit arts field and the applicant’s academic research/writing skills are preferred.

        • Current resume or curriculum vitae.

        • Submit a 600 - 900 word (est. 2-3 pages) personal statement explaining your interest in pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Winthrop University. This should be inclusive of the following criteria:

          • Your career aspirations,

          • Your relevant work and volunteer experience, particularly in arts organizations or nonprofit organizations other than arts organizations,

          • Why you are a good candidate,

          • What kind of job do you see yourself in five years after completing this degree.


    Beyond Graduation

    "The MAAA program provided invaluable insight into where a career in arts administration could take me, and was instrumental in helping me make connections and find the professional opportunities needed to take the next step in my journey."

     

    This graduate degree program is for individuals with experience in arts organizations who seek to enhance their effectiveness and increase their career opportunities as arts administration professionals.

        Graduates of the MAAA program have used their skills to build successful careers in areas such as:

        • Public Art
        • Marketing
        • Education
        • Grant Writing
        • Cultural Tourism
        • Communications
        • Program Direction
        • External Relations
        • Arts Services Programs
        • Arts Management
        • Facility Management
        • Audience Engagement
        • Volunteer Management
        • Personnel Management
        • Cultural Center Management
        • Community Engagement
        • Educational Programming
        • Heritage and Preservation
        • Special Event Coordination
        • Front of House Management
        • Fundraising and Development
        • Performing and Visual Arts
        • Heritage and Preservation
        • Arts Councils/Commissions
        • Nonprofit Arts & Cultural Organizations

        MAAA program graduates are prepared for further advancement in organizations such as:

        • Theatres
        • Galleries
        • Museums
        • Arts Centers
        • Opera Companies
        • Symphony Orchestras
        • Dance Companies and Schools
        • Arts Service Organizations (national, state or local level)
        • Arts Councils and Commissions (national, state, or local level)

        Graduates of Winthrop’s MAAA program have thrived in a variety of arts administration roles. Salaries vary by industry, location, organization size, and experience level:

        Role Salary Range 
        Artistic Director $78,000 - $135,000
        Community and Corporate Relations Manager $95,000 - $165,000
        Development Director/Officer $91,000 - $162,000
        Director of Marketing and Communications $100,000 - $192,000
        Director of Operations $61,000 - $152,000
        Education Coordinator $50,000 - $81,000
        Executive Director $111,000 - $234,000
        Exhibition Planner $39,000 - $79,000
        Facility Manager $75,000 - $126,000
        Financial Manager $100,000 - $192,000
        Gallery Director $47,000 - $77,000
        Grants Manager $77,000 - $151,000
        Manager of Artistic Outreach $49,000 - $82,000
        Program and Project Director $51,000 - $129,000
        Special Events Coordinator  $38,000 - $67,000

        Source:  Lightcast™, accessed 12/21/2022.

        Our Arts Administration graduates go on to careers in a wide variety of arts administration fields.

        Here are some directions our students have gone in:

        • Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
        • Columbia Museum of Art
        • Kresge Foundation
        • McColl Center for Visual Art
        • North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and Education Institute
        • North Carolina Dance Theatre
        • Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
        • The South Carolina State Museum of Art
        • The Visual Arts Center of Richmond

        The Art Administration program provides students with the opportunity to venture into a wide array of career paths. A few examples include:

        Theatre 

        Music 

        Visual Arts  

        Arts Councils

        North Carolina  

        Dance 

     

    The MAAA program sends out a recurring newsletter where you can receive updates on student news, alumni highlights, and events to help you stay connected to the Winthrop art administration community. Sign up for the newsletter to join the MAAA community today!

    Also, check out our exciting news of two Winthrop graduates who were chosen for fellowships in California.


    Notice to International Applicants:

    Per U.S. Immigration Regulation, international students who study in the U.S. in F-1 status may enroll in one, 3-hour online course per semester to fulfill the full-time enrollment requirement. This program requires more than one online class per semester to meet full-time enrollment and would not be approved for F-1 status. More information about visa status is available from our International Center.


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