The master’s in arts management at SMU features instruction from industry leaders and experts.

Graduate programs

Arts management M.A./MBA dual degree

Take your creative career to new heights

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Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time or part time

Duration

Two years

Overview

The SMU arts management M.A./MBA is designed to develop the leadership, strategic thinking and business expertise needed to succeed in today’s evolving arts landscape. Offered jointly by the Meadows School of the Arts and Cox School of Business, this dual-degree program combines graduate study in business and arts management with internships and hands-on experience alongside leading arts organizations.

Designed for those passionate about leading and advancing arts organizations, the program is ideal for professionals interested in museums, theaters, galleries, nonprofits and cultural institutions. Students often enter with backgrounds in the arts, business or arts administration and seek to strengthen skills in leadership, fundraising, marketing, finance and strategic planning.

Whether launching a career or advancing to the next level, students graduate prepared to lead with confidence and purpose in arts organizations nationwide. 

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Student success

Alumni from the arts management program turn their passion for the arts into meaningful careers, leading organizations through impactful and effective management.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Performing arts organizations such as symphonies, theaters, opera companies and festivals
  • Museums, galleries and cultural institutions
  • Nonprofit arts and culture organizations
  • Entertainment, media and creative business development
  • Arts consulting and strategic advisory firms
  • Philanthropy, fundraising and private foundations
  • Corporate sponsorships and arts partnerships
  • Venue management, presenting organizations and arts districts
  • Marketing, audience development and communications leadership

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

90%

of students receive merit scholarships

1

semester of study abroad experience at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy

Student stories

Students in SMU's master’s in arts management program work on a real-life project to support a local nonprofit.

SMU M.A./MBA students help launch new nonprofit in hands-on consulting project

Through teamwork, creativity and strategy, students in the dual-degree program help an emerging arts nonprofit find its footing and its voice.

Students in the Master of Arts/MBA in arts management program partnered with CreativeMornings to support their business.

Master’s students collaborate with local volunteer organization in research project

Students partnered with CreativeMornings Dallas to enhance the business structure of the organization.

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Find answers to Meadows application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcript
  4. English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)
  5. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

AMAE 6201

Foundations of Arts and Nonprofit Leadership

Work in teams on a hands-on consulting project for a nonprofit or for-profit creative venture. Learn business structures while helping entrepreneurs determine the best model for launching new initiatives.

AMAE 6202

Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Change Management

Develop a comprehensive strategic plan for a local arts organization, applying long-range planning and change management strategies to real-world challenges.

AMAE 6205

Nonprofit Financial Management and Accountability

Build budgets, analyze nonprofit financial statements and strengthen business acumen for leadership in arts and nonprofit organizations.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Featured news

See what’s making headlines in the arts management world at SMU. 

Faculty

The M.A./MBA dual-degree 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 distinguished arts and business professors from Meadows and Cox, as well as continuing seminars with nationally recognized arts managers.

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Jim Hart

James Hart

Professor of Practice | Director of Social Innovation, Creative, and Arts…
James Ryan Jillson

James Ryan Jillson

Adjunct Lecturer
Maureen A Mixtacki

Maureen A. Mixtacki, CPA, CGMA

Adjunct Lecturer
Andrea Perez

Andrea Perez

Adjunct Lecturer
John Tenny

John Tenny

Adjunct Lecturer

Facilities

The Meadows School of the Arts is a tree-lined, urban oasis five miles from downtown Dallas, home of the nation’s largest arts district. Restaurants, shops and Dallas’ light rail system are within easy walking distance for students and guests. Performing arts spaces, galleries, broadcast facilities and a world-class museum are just a few of the resources at SMU Meadows. Classrooms for the Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs – along with a presentation room and a dedicated debate meeting room – are located on the main floor of the Umphrey Lee Center. Cox business courses are taught in the James M. Collins Executive Center.

The Umphrey Lee Center is a red brick building on SMU campus named for the University’s fourth president.

Umphrey Lee Center

The Umphrey Lee Center is home to four award-winning Meadows School communications divisions: Communication Studies, Journalism, the Temerlin Advertising Institute, and Film and Media Arts.

The MA/MBA in Arts Management includes courses from the Cox School of Business within the Collins Center.

James M. Collins Executive Education Center

Located on the northeast corner of Ownby Drive and Binkley Avenue, the Collins Center houses the Cox School’s Executive MBA and executive education programs.

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Frequently asked questions

A master’s in arts management prepares students to lead organizations in the arts, entertainment, education and nonprofit sectors. SMU’s innovative M.A./MBA combines graduate coursework in business and the arts with internships and hands-on experience alongside arts organizations, equipping students with the leadership, strategic and management skills needed to succeed worldwide.

An arts management M.A./MBA dual degree is a valuable choice for those seeking leadership roles in arts, nonprofit and creative organizations. By combining business expertise with arts sector knowledge, the program helps students turn creative passion into strategic impact. Graduates gain a competitive advantage through expanded career opportunities, stronger earning potential and hands-on experience through internships, industry partnerships and faculty mentorship.

With this dual-degree program between SMU Meadows School of the Arts and Cox School of Business, you’ll gain the entrepreneurial skills and business acumen to advance your career and lead nonprofits, museums, theaters and other creative enterprises. Graduates typically work in fundraising, marketing, programming, operations and executive leadership, using their skills to bridge the arts and business strategy.

Because the program also includes an MBA, graduates gain added flexibility to pursue opportunities in the for-profit sector, including entertainment, media, consulting, corporate partnerships and business development roles.

The M.A./MBA in arts management equips students with the leadership and business skills needed to succeed in creative organizations. Ideal for students with artistic backgrounds who want to build business expertise – and for professionals with business experience who are passionate about supporting the arts – the program develops strengths in strategic planning, finance, marketing, fundraising, operations and organizational leadership. Whether your goal is a career in operations, production, education, outreach or executive management, this program prepares you to lead with confidence and impact.

Some examples of these skills include:

  • Building sustainable arts organizations, entrepreneurial ventures, and strategies that drive creative and social impact
  • Staying relevant in a rapidly evolving field through innovation, adaptability and forward-thinking leadership
  • Practicing ethical decision-making that strengthens leadership in arts and cultural organizations
  • Applying critical thinking, evidence-based strategies and creative problem-solving to real-world arts management challenges
  • Leading teams, managing operations and aligning artistic vision with organizational goals
  • Developing marketing, fundraising and audience engagement strategies that support long-term growth 

The arts management M.A./MBA can typically be completed in two years of full-time study. Students who choose the part-time option may take longer, depending on their course load and schedule. The curriculum combines graduate coursework in business, arts management and nonprofit leadership, along with internships and hands-on experiences with arts and supporting organizations.

No, a formal business background is not required for SMU’s arts management graduate programs. The program welcomes applicants from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, including the arts, nonprofit organizations, business and related fields.

Many students enter with experience in creative industries or arts organizations and want to strengthen their skills in finance, marketing, leadership and strategy. The program is also a strong fit for professionals looking to transition into management or executive roles within the arts and cultural sector.

SMU’s arts management program has a strong foundation in nonprofit leadership while also preparing students for opportunities across the broader creative economy. The curriculum emphasizes strategic planning, fundraising, financial management, marketing and organizational leadership for arts organizations, museums, performing arts groups and cultural institutions. Because the program is paired with an MBA, students also gain business skills that translate to for-profit sectors such as entertainment, media, consulting and other creative industries.