Master of Arts in Arts Administration

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: March 15 for summer admission, June 15 for fall admission

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.

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:

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 

• Art Search 

Music 

• League of American Orchestras 

Visual Arts  

• American Alliance of  Museums   

Arts Councils

• Americans for the Arts 

North Carolina  

• Arts North Carolina 

Dance 

• Dance USA