Arts Management

WHAT IS ARTS MANAGEMENT AT CSU?

Arts Management combines elements of business management methods with the worlds of arts and culture to offer a comprehensive understanding of how arts and cultural organizations, institutions, and firms operate. The landscape encompassing this activity is vast and includes places such as museums, galleries, theaters, music venues, performing arts centers, and government agencies in addition to any number of organizations, institutions, and firms in the creative economy that address dance, design, film, music, and more.

The purpose of an arts management degree is to learn the skills necessary to provide stability within arts and cultural organizations by assisting them in fulfilling their missions and guiding their operations, while continuing to uphold the integrity of arts and culture and their respective roles in society.

Photo provided by LEAP Online Master's Student Alyssa Wilson
Photo provided by LEAP Online Master's Student Alyssa Wilson
University Center for the Arts at CSU
The University Center for the Arts

MISSION

Arts Management educates responsible leaders and innovative arts managers who learn to create viable, relevant, engaged, and equitable arts and culture organizations. Our values are based on four guiding principles: Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Arts Advocacy, and the Public.

Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management

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Study arts management surrounded by a community that cares about the arts. Learn from professors already working within local arts field alongside students who are future arts leaders. Classes are offered on-campus for a traditional residential experience and online to give you flexibility.

Accelerated Master’s Degree

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The Accelerated Master's Program offers current CSU students in select majors a chance to start graduate coursework during their undergraduate studies, allowing them to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as five years.

Graduate Certificate Online

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Gain the skills necessary to serve arts and cultural organizations regionally, nationally, and internationally with this 12-credit online certificate. Learn how to help nonprofit and for-profit arts and cultural organizations thrive in the creative economy through specialized training in arts management.

Graduate Certificate at SPUR

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Earn a graduate certificate in arts management in-person at CSU’s Spur campus at the National Western Complex in Denver. Engage with other arts management students and leaders in class and connect with the local arts community and organizations through hands-on fieldwork.

WHY CHOOSE CSU?

Colorado State University's Arts Management program connects students with the vibrant arts scene in Northern Colorado. Fort Collins is consistently rated one of the best places to live in the U.S. because of its signature blend of culture, community, and innovation. With both Denver and the Rocky Mountains just a short drive from CSU, your opportunities are limitless. Connect with local music festivals, arts venues, city events, and cultural organizations as you launch your career in arts leadership.