Arts Leadership and Cultural Management

    Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management at Colorado State University

    Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management at Colorado State University

    Colorado State University offers the Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Main Campus and Online campuses in Fort Collins , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for arts leadership and cultural management and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 21, 2026.

    About Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management

    University Center for the Arts
    (970) 491-3746
    artsmanagement.colostate.edu

    This Special Academic Unit (SAU) within the College of Liberal Arts, offers the degree of Master in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management. This degree is offered residentially, online, and hybrid. This program is included in the Accelerated Masters Programs within the Graduate School.

    Arts Management at the LEAP Institute for the Arts believes knowledge of the arts and cultures of our world are the foundation for a career in the arts, opening possibilities for leadership, entrepreneurship, successful advocacy, and transformative public engagement.  Students completing the degree will be able to meet the rising demand for skilled leaders and experienced management professionals who possess acumen in creative enterprises. This program covers a broad range of knowledge areas such as arts policy, advocacy, disaster planning in the creative economy, technology impacts, law and the arts, event management, project planning, community engagement, and financial structures in the arts, all applicable to careers in multiple arts sectors. This program emphasizes the higher level, transferable skills for lifelong career advancement.

    WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN ARTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE?

    The demand for creative people with entrepreneurial and administrative skills is on the rise. Arts organizations are looking for creative leaders who can think differently, integrate knowledge across disciplines, spot and solve problems, and generate creative new ideas.

    POSSIBLE CAREER OPTIONS

    Artistic Director, Executive Director, Production Manager, Creative Strategies, Public Art & Cultural Commissions, Director of Operations, Program and Project Directors, Festival Manager, Development Director, Special Events Coordinator, Exhibition Planner, Financial Manager, Box Office Manager, Community and Corporate Relations, Manager of Artistic Outreach, Donor Relations Manager, Grants Manager, Director of Patron Services, Facility Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Convention Planner, Community Advocacy, Non-profit administration, Project Assistant, Operations Manager, Arts and Social Justice Leader, International Arts Organization Administrator, Fine Arts and Performing Arts Teacher, Fine Arts Administration, Education Coordinator

    The Master's Degree in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management is a 4 semester, 32-credit program. This degree offers two internships within the program of study. The degree is offered as both a residential a fully online or hybrid program. Information about the program is at artsmanagement.colostate.edu. Contact us for information on admissions at [email protected] or call us at (970) 491-3746.

    Disciplines

    Arts Management

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management at Colorado State University

    Entry Requirements

    GRE/GMAT Scores

    Contact the academic department to verify whether the GRE/GMAT is required. For program contact information, please visit our program pages. The GRE department code can be found at www.ets.org.

    Official Transcripts/Credential & Certified Translations

    Official transcripts or mark sheets and any certificates, diplomas, or degrees from each college or university attended is required regardless of the length of attendance, including courses in progress. Final records will be required upon completion of the course or degree. ALL records submitted must be in the native language; any credentials written in languages other than English MUST be accompanied by a certified English translation (Colorado State University transcripts are not required). Official documents must be sent through a certified, secure document service, or through the postal mail, directly from your school to CSU. Transcripts and diplomas sent through email are not considered official documents. International students, please use the Guide to Comparable Degrees for graduate study.

    Official transcripts and credentials, such as degree certificates, are issued directly by the granting institution where the coursework was completed or the degree was earned (with original seals, stamps, and/or signatures). Officially certified transcripts or degree certificates can be hard-copy photocopies of the original document provided by the issuing institution, the U.S. Consulate’s Education/Culture Departments (or representatives), or by limited U.S. sponsoring agencies (such as Fulbright, IREX, etc.). Notarized copies of transcripts/credentials are not accepted in lieu of official or officially certified documents.

    Official transcripts and credentials, such as degree certificates, are issued directly by the granting institution where the coursework was completed, or the degree was earned with original seals, stamps, and/or signatures. Officially certified transcripts or degree certificates can be hard-copy photocopies of the original document provided by the issuing institution, the U.S. Consolate’s Education/Culture Departments (or representatives), or by limited U.S. sponsoring agencies (such as Fulbright, IREX, etc.). Notarized copies of transcripts/credentials are not accepted in leu of official or officially certified documents.

    Letters of Recommendation

    A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required from previous instructors or employers who are able to comment on your abilities and potential for graduate study. You may provide contact information for up to five (5) recommenders. There is no standardized format unless specified by the academic department. Your recommenders will be notified and prompted to supply a recommendation letter through the system. Academic references should be prepared to discuss your academic knowledge and skills, aptitude for graduate study, ability for independent research, and classroom performance related to characteristics such as integrity, leadership, problem solving, and teamwork. Choosing an individual as a reference who has an impressive title but cannot discuss the aforementioned qualities will not result in an informative letter of recommendation that supports your admission. Writing any portion of the recommendations yourself, either in whole or in part, may result in rejection or dismissal.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 58
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Fee Information

    Application Fee 70

    How to Apply

    When applying using the online application system, most documents are uploaded directly by the applicant. For documents that cannot be submitted through the application system, such as official transcripts and test scores, request the documents be sent to the Office of Admissions:

    Send official electronic test scores using code 4075.

    Graduate Admissions
    Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
    1062 Campus Delivery
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

    Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management at Colorado State University
    Colorado State University
    Colorado State University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Fort Collins

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