Why Graduate Studies in Arts Leadership?

These are extraordinary times for everyone, and the arts industry requires resilient, creative minds ready to bring new ideas and ways of expression to the world. The industry also needs managers and leaders who are trained in philanthropy, marketing, and design thinking to meet the needs of this rapidly evolving arts world.

The Dan School of Drama and Music, and the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (IBCPA) are offering both an Arts Management Graduate Diploma and a Master’s in Arts Leadership for students and experienced professionals who have the passion and acumen for the fine arts and are seeking opportunities in arts management and leadership.

The program centers on developing 21st century leadership and management capabilities. Coursework covers strategic planning and thinking, a specific focus on comprehensive revenue development in arts marketing and philanthropy, cultural policy and governance, contract negotiations and labour relations, financial and management accounting, artistic producing, and creative entrepreneurship.

Opportunities

Queen’s offers its students a perfect balance of engagement with rigorous academic programs and access to first class practitioners and arts facilities. Both the diploma and ARTSL M.A. programs are cross-disciplinary -- taught by a combination of instructors from the Dan School of Drama and Music, the Master of Industrial Relations program, and the Smith School of Business. In addition, the campus boasts world class facilities including a major Performing Arts Centre, Art Gallery, and Library all with senior staff whose management experience adds to the practical teaching environment.

The Kingston community is noted for its many summer Arts festivals and its range of important Arts facilities including the Grand Theatre, the Tett Centre and the K-Rock Centre. Queen’s itself is an integral part of the Kingston community.

Learning Outcomes

• Acquire Institutional Management Skills
• Gain a Comprehensive Understanding of the tenets of the nonprofit sector
• Receive Guidelines for Strategic Thinking and Implementing Organizational Missions
• Benefit from Advanced Marketing and Development Training
• Learn Integrated Approaches to Arts Advocacy and Cultural Policy
• Discern the Special Nature of Negotiating Arts-Related Contract and Collective Agreements
• Plan for Capital development projects and the related Community integration
• Understand and serve as a proponent for the Creative Economy

Career paths - employment opportunities

Arts Administration, Production Management, Not-for-Profit Advocacy, Cultural Sector Marketing, Arts Facility Management, Community Outreach and Education, Development and Advancement, HR Management for the Arts, Business Management, Managing Director for Performing Arts.