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Arts Leadership

About

director

 

The M.A. in Arts Leadership Program is embarking on its 10th anniversary in the 2023 – 2024 academic year. I couldn’t be more proud of all we have accomplished together as a program alongside our incredible community partners. I am looking forward to more personal and professional success stories to emerge from our students and alumni this year.

The Arts Leadership Program will be working diligently to ensure the curriculum is aligned with the needs of our community. Stay tuned!

Wishing you all a fantastic 2023 – 2024 school year. GO COOGS!

Fleurette S. Fernando, M.F.A.
Director, M.A. in Arts Leadership Program

 

Our Program Philosophy

The Master of Arts in Arts Leadership program takes an entrepreneurial approach to preparing creative professionals to launch, administer, and maintain arts organizations of all sizes. The degree program provides an advanced study in the management and promotion of arts organizations across various disciplines. Through professional management and leadership experiences, the Arts Leadership program prepares students to be professionals in the arts and cultural sector at the local and national level.

4 Pillars of Arts Leadership:

  • Sound Practices in Management and Administration
  • Ethical Leadership
  • Community Engagement
  • Social Justice

Who We Are

  • Students

    Our students come from a variety of disciplines and professional backgrounds, some even outside of the Arts. Our program is designed to accommodate students who are working professionals. Most of our courses are offered during evening hours and as those who wish to continue full-time or part-time employment can complete this program within five years.

  • Alumni

    Graduates of the Arts Leadership program are employed across the country in the nonprofit, government, entrepreneurial, and for-profit sectors. Locally, our alumni remain great resources for current students to network within the Houston arts community.

  • Instructors

    Working as creative professionals during the day, our instructors “live” the subject that they teach, allowing students to be exposed to the most current trends and developments in the field. The Master’s in Arts Leadership degree is taught by arts leaders that have significant knowledge of and experience in management, leadership, and the Arts.

  • College

    In the Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts, there is the School of Art, Moores School of Music, and the School of Theatre and Dance. The Arts Leadership program is in the center of these disciplines, relating to the administrative side of these areas. Arts Leadership courses are often taken by students in the other schools as an elective or through the dual degree program.

Academic Programs

  • Master of Arts

    The graduate program in Arts Leadership will provide advanced study in the management and promotion of arts organizations across artistic disciplines.

  • Dual Degree Program

    The dual degree options present a unique opportunity for performers, studio artists, and scholars to combine discipline-specific arts practices with the field of professional arts administration. 

  • Arts and Health Certificate

    The graduate certificate in Arts and Health combines the fine and performing arts into the areas of health, healthcare and well-being.

  • Museum and Gallery Management Certificate

    Museum management is transferable across various types of museums, including children’s museums, history museums, natural science museums, etc. 

building

“Before discovering this program I didn’t know that I could be involved with the arts professionally, without being a professional artist. The Arts Leadership Program helped me pivot my career track and find a job in a sector that I am passionate about.” Ryann Roussel (MA ’17)