Arts Management students stand and smile on Pittsburgh's Clemente Bridge.

Master of Arts Management

How to Apply

Make a Difference. And a Living.

The Master of Arts Management (MAM) program prepares you to build a successful career leading arts and cultural organizations. MAM combines the creative excellence of Carnegie Mellon's College of Fine Arts with the management and analytical expertise of Heinz College, equipping you with the leadership skills, professional experience, and network to make a difference - and make a living.

Through rigorous coursework, industry partnerships, internships, consulting projects, and capstone experiences, you will learn to navigate the artistic, financial, technological, and organizational challenges facing today's cultural sector. Whether your background is in music, theater, museums, dance, galleries, visual arts, or another creative field, MAM prepares you to lead the organizations that bring culture to life.

Learning extends well beyond the classroom. You will work alongside world-class faculty and industry professionals, complete internships with organizations such as the Aspen Music Festival, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and tackle real-world projects for clients including the American Alliance of Museums, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and The Heinz Endowments. Study trips, research opportunities through the Arts Management and Technology Laboratory (AMT Lab), and a close-knit professional community (1000+ alumni) provide you with the experience, professional network, and confidence to launch your career in the arts.

86%

Students employed or received an offer.

100%

Students with external internship placements.

Program Length

Two years, four semesters

Sample Schedule

Program Delivery

In person.

Life in Pittsburgh

Application Deadlines

Round 1: December 1, 2026
Round 2: January 10, 2027
Round 3: February 1, 2027

Learn more about the application process

Cost of Attendance

Please visit the CMU Student Financial Services website.

CMU Student Financial Services

Internship

Required

Experiential Learning at Heinz College

STEM Designated

No.

A group of Arts Management students present their Capstone project.

Love The Arts. Take The Lead.

You know you belong in the arts. Let us show you how you can build a career in the arts.

This program might be right for you if you want to:

Build the leadership and management skills to advance your career in the arts.
Help artists, audiences, and communities thrive through the arts.
Turn your creative background into a rewarding professional career.
Lead museums, performing arts organizations, galleries, festivals, or cultural nonprofits.
Gain real-world experience through internships and professional projects.
Make a meaningful impact while building a sustainable career.

Learn How to Apply

Explore Arts Management

Curriculum

A student raises his hand in a classroom at Heinz College.

You'll learn the management and analytics skills to lead in the arts.

Arts Curriculum

Jobs in the Arts

Our graduates work for theaters, museums, symphonies, music festivals, and arts institutions around the world.

Careers

We'd Love to Meet You

A female student smiles during a Heinz College event.

Whether virtually or in person, Heinz College offers plenty of opportunities to connect.

See What's Coming Up

Student Finances

Several students raise their hands in a classroom with the professor standing in the background.

Through financial aid, scholarships and partnerships, we are committed to reducing your cost of attendance.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Attend an Admissions Event

The hardest classes for me were in quantitative analysis—numbers, stats, financials. But the academic culture encouraged me to double-down on these types of classes in a way that helped me build real proficiency. And, when I graduated, these were the skills that gave me an edge, certainly in the world of cultural organizations and museums.
Samir Bitar
MAM '07, veteran and arts leader
Learn more about Samir's arts journey

Request More Information

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Heinz College is committed to ensuring that tomorrow's arts leaders are able to secure the education they need to be successful. More than 90% of our arts management students receive a scholarship, and we offer many fellowships and student employment opportunities. We encourage you to explore these resources and contact our Office of Admissions for more information.

Explore Scholarship & Aid Options Financial Aid FAQs CMU Student Financial Services

Five Arts Management students stand in front of the title slide of their Capstone project.

Learn by Doing

At Heinz College, you will receive practical experience to complement your coursework through our Capstone projects, during which you'll solve a problem for real-life client. You'll use your arts management instruction and data analysis skills to help theaters improve ticket sales, help museums increase membership, and optimize digital opportunities for dance studio events.

Experiential Learning in Arts Management

My Heinz College Story: Veronica

When Veronica Janet Lopez went to the symphony or the theater, she only saw the final product. As a violist with a performance degree, she wanted to know more.