Theatre Arts Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring leaders in the performing arts sector, this program equips students with the strategic and operational expertise needed to manage theatres, production companies, and cultural institutions effectively. By merging creative arts insight with rigorous business principles, graduates are prepared to navigate the complex landscape of arts administration with confidence and innovation.
- Theatrical Production: Explores the end-to-end process of staging performances, from concept development and casting to technical execution and post-show evaluation.
- Theatre Design and Planning: Focuses on spatial and aesthetic considerations in venue layout, set design, lighting, and acoustics to support artistic and functional goals.
- Fund-Raising and Promotion: Teaches strategies for cultivating donor relationships, securing grants, and executing targeted outreach campaigns to enhance visibility and financial sustainability.
- Investment Strategies: Introduces methods for allocating capital, assessing risk, and making informed decisions about long-term financial growth and asset management.
- Human Resources Management: Covers recruitment, staff development, conflict resolution, and performance evaluation within creative and administrative teams.
- Theatre Operations Management: Addresses the logistical and managerial aspects of running a theatre, including scheduling, facility maintenance, and workflow optimization.
- Marketing and Public Relations: Develops skills in brand positioning, audience engagement, media outreach, and reputation management for arts organizations.
- Financial Management and Insurance: Provides a foundation in budgeting, accounting, revenue forecasting, and risk mitigation through insurance planning.
- Applicable Laws and Regulations: Examines legal frameworks governing employment, intellectual property, zoning, licensing, and compliance in the performing arts industry.
Theatre Arts Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Theatre Arts Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Theatre Arts Management degrees, including Managers, All Other, Producers and Directors 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 874,140 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 |
| Producers and Directors 27-2012 | $83,480 | $43,060 - $198,530 | 145,270 | $40.13 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
Theatre Arts Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $62,550 in Arkansas to $132,957 in California—a 113% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 874,140 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 Theatre Arts Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 23 institutions offering Theatre 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 Theatre Arts Management is found at Pace University (82 graduates), Howard University (HU) (32 graduates), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (24 graduates), Ithaca College (IC) (11 graduates), and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 220 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
82 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Howard University (HU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | howard.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
|
24 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Valencia, California | Private | calarts.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
8 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Wagner College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Staten Island, New York | Private | wagner.edu |
| Berry College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Mount Berry, Georgia | Private | berry.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| Centenary University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Hackettstown, New Jersey | Private | centenaryuniversity.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Master's
|
3 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| Adrian College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | adrian.edu |
| University of Akron |
Master's
|
3 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | mmm.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | txwes.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
1 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Campbell University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| Seton Hill University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Private | setonhill.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Other Award
|
1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Theatre Arts Management programs
How much can I earn with a Theatre Arts Management degree?
Salaries for Theatre Arts Management graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Producers and Directors earn around $83,480. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $132,957 compared to $62,550 in Arkansas. Approximately 874,140 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 Theatre Arts Management programs?
Currently 23 accredited institutions offer Theatre Arts Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Pace University (82 graduates), Howard University (HU) (32 graduates), and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (24 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 Theatre Arts Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 127 in 2010 to a peak of 244 in 2020, before declining slightly to 220 in 2023-24. This represents a 73% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Theatre Arts Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Producers and Directors, and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 874,140 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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