Fine and Studio Arts Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring leaders in the creative sector, this program equips students with the strategic and operational expertise needed to steward fine and studio arts organizations effectively. It bridges artistic vision with real-world management, preparing graduates to lead cultural institutions with clarity, innovation, and accountability.
- Business and Financial Management: Develops skills in budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal oversight tailored to nonprofit and arts-based entities.
- Marketing and Fundraising: Explores strategies for audience engagement, brand development, and securing sustainable funding through grants, donations, and sponsorships.
- Personnel Management and Labor Relations: Covers workforce planning, equitable hiring practices, and navigating employment dynamics within creative environments.
- Event Promotion and Management: Trains in designing, organizing, and executing exhibitions, performances, and public programs with precision and impact.
- Public Relations and Arts Advocacy: Focuses on narrative building, media outreach, and influencing policy to strengthen public support for the arts.
- Arts Law: Provides foundational knowledge of intellectual property, contracts, and legal frameworks relevant to artists and cultural institutions.
- Applied Contexts in Arts Practice: Applies core principles to real-world settings including galleries, museums, artist studios, arts foundations, and grassroots community initiatives.
Fine and Studio Arts Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Fine and Studio Arts Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Fine and Studio Arts Management degrees, including Managers, All Other, Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 743,090 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes 13-1011 | $96,310 | $48,530 - $239,200 | 14,220 | $46.30 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
Fine and Studio Arts Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,985 in Utah to $138,360 in California—a 123% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 743,090 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Fine and Studio Arts Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 72 institutions offering Fine and Studio Arts Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Fine and Studio Arts Management is found at The New School (221 graduates), College of Charleston (CofC) (57 graduates), Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (52 graduates), Pratt Institute, Main (45 graduates), and Boston University (BU) (43 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 930 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The New School |
Bachelor's
|
221 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
57 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Master's
|
45 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
43 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
|
31 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Purchase, New York | Public | purchase.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Master's
|
23 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
21 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College |
Master's
|
19 | New York, New York | Public | baruch.cuny.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| North Seattle College (NSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
19 | Seattle, Washington | Public | northseattle.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Master's
|
16 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
| George Mason University |
Master's
|
16 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
|
15 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
12 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
|
11 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
10 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) |
Master's
|
10 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | saic.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
9 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | North Adams, Massachusetts | Public | mcla.edu |
| Rider University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Master's
|
8 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| University of New Orleans (UNO) |
Master's
|
7 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | new.uno.edu |
| Midland University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Fremont, Nebraska | Private | midlandu.edu |
| Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development (IAIA) |
Master's
|
7 | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Public | iaia.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Winthrop University |
Master's
|
6 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | winthrop.edu |
| Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) |
Master's
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | mica.edu |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU) |
Master's
|
5 | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | Public | kutztown.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Other Award
|
4 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Hamilton, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Master's
|
4 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Randolph-Macon College (RMC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Ashland, Virginia | Private | rmc.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Western Colorado University |
Master's
|
3 | Gunnison, Colorado | Public | western.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Potsdam, New York | Public | potsdam.edu |
| University of Tulsa (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | utulsa.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Other Award
|
2 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Simmons University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | simmons.edu |
| North Central Michigan College (NCMC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Petoskey, Michigan | Public | ncmich.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
2 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Northern State University (NSU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Public | northern.edu |
| Spring Hill College (SHC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | shc.edu |
| East Arkansas Community College (EACC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Forrest City, Arkansas | Public | eacc.edu |
| Elmhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Elmhurst, Illinois | Private | elmhurst.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Aquinas College (AQ) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | aquinas.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Bemidji State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Public | bemidjistate.edu |
| Culver-Stockton College (C‑SC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Canton, Missouri | Private | culver.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Queens University of Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | queens.edu |
| Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Middletown, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Chatham University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | chatham.edu |
| Marywood University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | marywood.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Public | lehighvalley.psu.edu |
| Seton Hill University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Private | setonhill.edu |
| Westmoreland County Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Youngwood, Pennsylvania | Public | westmoreland.edu |
| Mary Baldwin University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Staunton, Virginia | Private | marybaldwin.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Fine and Studio Arts Management programs
How much can I earn with a Fine and Studio Arts Management degree?
Salaries for Fine and Studio Arts Management graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes earn around $96,310. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $138,360 compared to $61,985 in Utah. Approximately 743,090 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Fine and Studio Arts Management programs?
Currently 72 accredited institutions offer Fine and Studio Arts Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The New School (221 graduates), College of Charleston (CofC) (57 graduates), and Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (52 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Fine and Studio Arts Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 957 in 2010 to a peak of 1,105 in 2020, before declining slightly to 930 in 2023-24. This represents a 3% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Fine and Studio Arts Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes, and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 743,090 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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