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Preparing for Creative Leadership Careers in the Arts

The arts and cultural sector continues to evolve, requiring leaders who can combine creative vision with strategic thinking, community engagement and organizational management. Today’s arts leaders must support artists, manage programs and strengthen the role of the arts in diverse communities.

With a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Arts Leadership from ¿ìèÊÓƵ, you’ll gain the skills to lead arts organizations and create meaningful cultural impact. Graduates pursue a variety of roles such as arts administrators, program directors, creative producers and development professionals.

Earning an MFA in Arts Leadership helps position you for leadership in nonprofit arts organizations, cultural institutions and creative enterprises throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Powered by Lightcast Data , this information draws on millions of job postings, career profiles and other data collected each day to deliver near–real-time insights into workforce trends. Occupations listed are generic outcomes associated with the field, and salary figures reflect median earnings for the career listed, not necessarily those of individuals who have recently graduated.

Strong Support Networks

Our low student-to-faculty ratio and cohort approach give you direct access to faculty. You begin building your support networks from your first day, making connections with fellow students and active, engaged alumni. You meet a diverse array of arts and cultural colleagues through coursework and events.

Learn alongside your cohort from a wide variety of backgrounds and build a network that includes community artists, curators, program officers, education managers, event planners, grant writers, tech producers, marketing directors and more. In collaboration, you gain the theoretical and practical experience necessary to be successful in arts leadership positions nationally and internationally.

¿ìèÊÓƵ’s Thriving Arts Community

A thriving, arts-dense region and a hub for innovation, ¿ìèÊÓƵ is home to a dynamic and historic arts community. With a variety of performance and visual arts centers throughout the city, you will build essential relationships with our community partners, connections that can turn into lifelong careers in arts leadership.

The Pacific Northwest is a destination for the arts, nature and tech. ¿ìèÊÓƵ is located in the walkable Capitol Hill Arts District, which includes accessible public transit. Within a half hour walk from campus are the 5th Avenue Theater, Benaroya Hall, Cal Anderson Park, Elliott Bay Book Company, Frye Art Museum, Hedreen Gallery, Hugo House, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Lee Center for the Arts, Northwest Film Forum, Photographic Center Northwest, ¿ìèÊÓƵ Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park Conservatory, Wa Na Wari, Wing Luke Museum and more. Join us and others who are passionate about the arts.

Career Opportunities

Below you will find a list of just a few of the many titles and organizations where MFA students have gained employment after graduation:

• Executive Director, Theatre Puget Sound
• Deputy Director, TeenTix
• Grant Writer and Manager, Bumbershoot
• Public Art Project Manager, City of ¿ìèÊÓƵ
• Program Manager, Shunpike
• Associate Producer, EnJoy Productions
• Arts Program Director, 4Culture
• Artistic Director, The Shattered Glass Project
• Marketing Manager, Pacific Northwest Ballet
• Jewelry/Metals & Stone Studio Manager and Accessibility Coordinator, Pratt Fine Arts Center