Arts Management Careers Information
So you love the arts, but can’t picture yourself tip-toeing across the stage, or showcasing your latest portraiture at the local gallery. You’re more of a behind-the-scenes type of person, with a knack for business relations. So why not consider a career where you can support yourself and support the arts simultaneously? Enter one of the arts management careers, especially if you have an interest in marketing the arts.
Arts Management Careers & Degrees
- Art Institute of Pittsburgh: Online
Colorado Technical University - Undergraduate: Undergraduate - Online
American Intercontinental University: Online
Arts management is a vast field, encompassing a variety of careers and employment opportunities. An arts manager may work with the local orchestra or art museum, or may represent a specific type of talent, such as actors, musicians, and comedians.
Workers in the field of arts management make up just 5% of employees in the arts industry. Any of these highly-coveted jobs will keep you on your toes; the daily activities of an arts manager usually involves marketing, business management, event booking, fundraising, public outreach, and most importantly, contract negotiations and other business matters.
Managers have close working relationships with the clients they represent, but they also must have stable relationships with their clients’ employers and constantly be on the lookout for new business opportunities.
Arts Management Careers Path
Formal education for arts managers can be debatable, as talent and ability are the main deciding factors when it comes to employment. However, the majority of arts administrators have completed a bachelor’s degree, and many also go on to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree.
Many colleges and universities offer programs catered to a career in arts management. These programs are highly recommended, as their curriculum emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation in business and economics.
Some schools offer a bachelor’s degree specifically in arts management, allowing students to declare a concentration in a specific field, whether it be fine art or performing art. Other schools offer a degree in arts administration, allowing for their students to gain overall knowledge of the industry.
Degrees in marketing, business, public relations or even economics can also provide the knowledge necessary to succeed in this competitive field. While some students eventually go on to obtain a master’s degree in business, it’s best to get as much hands-on experience as possible after graduating.
Arts Management Careers Compatible Personality Traits
Enthusiastic, eager, savvy, passionate, excellent communicator, excellent managerial skills.
Professional Talent Manager Interview
If you shoot for an arts management career, you might land among the stars! Read More from a Talent Manager…
Arts Management Salary Expectations
The average annual salaries of those working as art managers in 2009 ranged from $65,697 to $91,723. The salaries of managers working in the arts fluctuate greatly depending on the particular industry. Other variables include experience level, education level, geographic location, employer size, and employment type, such as independent contracting, non-profit, or government agency.
Arts Management Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,970 people employed in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry. Of that, only 5.6 %, were employed as event promoter, agents, and managers. Employment opportunities for those working as managers in the arts are expected to grow 13.7% over the 2008-2018 decade. As a result of this growth, new education programs and certification options have emerged, making competition for these positions even greater.
Though many working in the field of arts management do go on to obtain master’s degrees in a specified field of interest such as arts administration, in this field, career experience is still valued higher than education level. Those with experience in marketing and business will have the best opportunities.
Slightly Off the Footpath
- Arts Administration
- Public Relations
- Marketing
- Business Management
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs031.htm (visited November 3, 2011); salary.com
