Master of Arts Management: Your Ticket to Leadership in the Arts
Arts and cultural institutions need leaders who are as passionate as the artists and audiences they support. These organizations face unique challenges in the digital age, and the Master of Arts Management (MAM) program prepares students to face those challenges and ensure that the arts continue to thrive.
Combining the renowned interdisciplinary and creative power of Carnegie Mellon University's College of Fine Arts with the analytical expertise of Heinz College, the MAM program prepares graduates to be arts managers who can lead any organization at the highest level and have lasting impact on the communities they serve.
What Will You Get From the MAM Program?
How to apply
At Carnegie Mellon University and Heinz College, we are committed to removing barriers. We do not charge an application fee, and we do not require the GRE.
We believe in the value that our quantitative and analytical coursework adds to the program, and the degree to which it will set you apart as an arts leader upon graduation. We also understand that many of you do not have a quantitative background. Thus, we offer a free, virtual quantitative skills summer program to ensure you are ready to hit the ground running when classes begin.
We have two application deadlines for the August 2025 starting date for our full-time master’s programs. Please select the deadline that meets your needs.
Priority Deadline: December 2, 2024
Submit your application form and required supporting materials by the priority deadline to receive a decision by the end of January.
Regular Deadline: January 10, 2025
The regular deadline is best for applicants who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree, or for those who do not need an earlier decision from us. Applicants who apply by the regular deadline can expect to receive a decision by the end of March.
My MAM Story: Veronica
When Veronica 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.
What are our alumni saying?
The main benefit of my time there is that I just felt so prepared to go into any sort of work situation. The breadth of classes that were offered really set me up for success in whatever sort of position I was going to step into after graduation.Kathleen Dean | MAM '12, Director of Administration and Governance, Washington National Opera
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
Some of the things that were most helpful about my CMU education had to do with organizational design and structure, and thinking about how decisions are evaluated and made, and how structures and systems are built. Not everyone understands that management and leadership are skills you can learn, and because I learned those skills at CMU, I am continuing to grow and hone those skills in my professional work.Grace Stewart | MAM '12, Director of Equity & Inclusion at American Alliance of Museums