Arts Management MA

Lancaster University

Why Lancaster?

Learn and explore management concepts in relation to the arts and culture sector

Find out how arts organisations and artists make meaningful connections with the communities around them

Engage with arts and cultural organisations via visiting speakers, workshops, and external projects

Join our vibrant and diverse community of creative professionals and within Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Arts (LICA)

Develop your interests and decide which direction to take your career with support from our arts and culture experts, and specialist careers team

Those who take up management roles in arts organisations are able to influence the future of those organisations and the impact they have on the communities they serve. What skills and knowledge do you need to meet the challenges of the role? How will you add your voice? And, most importantly, what will your legacy be?

Making your mark

Every student on this course has a different story to tell. You’ll meet people who have already worked in the sector and want to specialise in curation. Other students come from a management background but have always had an interest in the arts. Whoever you are, you’ll fit in and we’ll help you find your path.

The course is all about the intersection of theory and practice. You will learn about theories that affect various aspects of arts management - such as arts marketing, cultural policy, leadership and strategy – and how you can use those theories to improve practice. You’ll explore a very wide range of topics, from cultural networks and policy to arts participation and leadership.

By the end of the course you'll be ready to make a difference through your knowledge, skills and passion.

How to connect

As well as exploring the issues facing the sector, you’ll look at how arts organisations can make meaningful connections with the communities around them. Perhaps your interests lie in the role of arts organisations in education, or in relation to promoting equality and diversity? Maybe you are passionate about the environment and how arts organisations react to the global climate crisis?

You'll benefit from our close connections to creative industries in the North West, such as Lancaster Arts, and we often invite professionals such as practitioners and industry experts to meet our students.

Student view

"I studied Drama, Theatre and Performance as my undergraduate degree at Lancaster, with minor modules in History. I loved my undergraduate degree, I loved studying and learning more, and this particular module called 'Creative Enterprise' helped me to realise I definitely wanted to a master's. The module introduced me to and allowed me to get into the 'nitty-gritty' of the marketing, strategy and audience side of theatre and the arts, which instantly clicked with me. I am now doing MA Arts Management and it is the best decision I made. The master's is more of that module but on a larger and more in-depth scale, and with two amazing tutors who are not only incredibly knowledgeable but genuinely care about how you are doing academically and personally." - Eleanor Goode, BA Drama, Theatre and Performance & MA Arts Management