Master’s

Band playing music on stage

STUDY IN A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES THE ARTS

The Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management (M.A.L.C.M.) at Colorado State University responds to an increased demand for graduates who can provide vision for arts organizations, communities and municipalities in the 21st Century. We believe that a strong vision for the arts requires a commitment to leadership, a responsibility to arts advocacy, learning how the arts economy drives our communities, urban planning through the arts, creating opportunities for artists, and building skills and confidence with applied skill sets.

Our graduates have the certainty that they can apply their skills to opportunities throughout the non-profit and for-profit sectors of our vibrant arts economies and communities and create artistic centers in places that need it.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Arts Management at Colorado State delivers training from a world-class University, provides practical, hands-on experience in the field of the arts, helps enhance the community through arts development, and improves quality of life through thoughtful urban planning and economic development.

Hands-on opportunities include visits to arts venues, seminars with local arts leaders, festival management, internships, real-world case studies, and regular interaction with local and state leaders in the arts.

Artist painting at table

EARN YOUR DEGREE ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE

theater performer

MASTER OF ARTS LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL MANAGEMENT (M.A.L.C.M.)
Residential Program

Study arts management in Fort Collins, Colorado and surround yourself with a community that cares about the arts through wide ranging support. Learn from professors that are already working within the local arts field alongside students who are future arts leaders. Enjoy the vast offerings of events, openings, businesses, internships, organizations and arts incubators throughout Fort Collins.

Classes are mainly offered in the evening to accommodate a variety of student schedules. There is a schedule that will fit your needs.

MASTER OF ARTS LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL MANAGEMENT (M.A.L.C.M.)
Online Program

The flexibility of an online program gives students a chance to take classes at times that work for them. 100% online, this degree gives you the ability to stay where you are currently located and build your skill set without leaving your job or uprooting your family.

ACCELERATED DEGREE PROGRAM

Undergraduate students at CSU with interests in Arts Management may apply for admission to a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program to begin their graduate programs during their senior year of undergraduate study.

The Master in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management is structured as a four-semester, 32-credit program. The curriculum includes 23 credits of core classes and 9 credits of electives.

Electives and internship experiences allow students to customize the program to their career goals. Students can apply elective credits toward a certificate in Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies, Nonprofit Administration or other fields.

CURRICULUM

Core Classes


LEAP 500 Leadership in the Arts | 3 credits

Theoretical and applied knowledge about concepts of leadership, leadership styles as applied to arts related organizations.

LEAP 600 Arts Policy and Advocacy | 3 credits
Discussion of the role of artist as citizen and how we affect public policy.

LEAP 650 Arts Event Management | 3 credits
Technical aspects of events, season and festival management for arts related organizations

LEAP 687* Internship | 3 credits
Field internship at local, regional or national arts organization (45 hours per credit)

LEAP 692* Internship Seminar | 1 credit

LEAP 660 Arts Collaboration and the Community | 3 credits
Research, development and production of outreach projects; team projects for community engagement.

LEAP 670 Law and the Arts | 3 credits
Examines the legal foundations of artistic creation including copyright, freedom of expression, public domain laws, and contract negotiation

Students will take LEAP 687/692 twice during the course of their degree.

ELECTIVES

Electives are chosen by students as a way to enhance and supplement their individual interests and career goals. You can choose from classes such as the ones that are offered below or find classes that you are interested in with the support of your program advisor.

VISUAL ARTS

<strong>ART 320  Global Encounters in Art:</strong> <br>
Comparative topics in global art.
ART 320 Global Encounters in Art:
Comparative topics in global art.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS

<strong>BUS 690A  Contemporary Issues - Business:</strong><br>Current issues in business, featuring business and community leaders.
BUS 690A Contemporary Issues - Business:
Current issues in business, featuring business and community leaders.

MANAGEMENT

<strong>MGT 620  Management:</strong><br>Practices, policies, philosophies, and behavior.<br>
<strong>MGT 620 Management</strong><br>
Practices, policies, philosophies, and behavior.<br>
<strong>MGT 679 Principles of Strategic Management: </strong> <br>Processes through which firms choose and implement strategies. Formulation and implementation of strategic management process in variety of industries.<br>
<strong>MKT 600 Marketing Management and Strategy: </strong><br>Processes of customer value creation and value capture; marketing strategy analysis.
MGT 620 Management:
Practices, policies, philosophies, and behavior.
MGT 620 Management
Practices, policies, philosophies, and behavior.
MGT 679 Principles of Strategic Management:
Processes through which firms choose and implement strategies. Formulation and implementation of strategic management process in variety of industries.
MKT 600 Marketing Management and Strategy:
Processes of customer value creation and value capture; marketing strategy analysis.

CREATING AND MANAGING
A CAREER IN THE ARTS

<strong>LEAP 580A3 Creative Industries Career - Management:</strong><br>Trains individuals for careers in the arts and creative industries with skills in arts entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, financial management, and project management.
LEAP 580A3 Creative Industries Career - Management:
Trains individuals for careers in the arts and creative industries with skills in arts entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, financial management, and project management.

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

<strong>MGT 340 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship:<br></strong>Concepts of entrepreneurship and role of entrepreneurs in the economy.<br><strong>MGT 420  New Venture Creation:</strong><br> Entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial process. Growth of an independent business.
MGT 340 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship:
Concepts of entrepreneurship and role of entrepreneurs in the economy.
MGT 420 New Venture Creation:
Entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial process. Growth of an independent business.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

<strong>SPCM 570 Instructional Communication Theory and Practice:</strong><br>Communication theory and research in instructional contexts. Designed for current or prospective teachers.<br><strong>SPCM 436 Conflict Management and Communication:</strong><br>Theories and principles of communication in conflict management; application to conflict resolution situations.
SPCM 570 Instructional Communication Theory and Practice:
Communication theory and research in instructional contexts. Designed for current or prospective teachers.
SPCM 436 Conflict Management and Communication:
Theories and principles of communication in conflict management; application to conflict resolution situations.
<strong>CIS 600 Information Technology and Project Management:</strong><br>Strategic role in and management of information technology and software development projects.
CIS 600 Information Technology and Project Management:
Strategic role in and management of information technology and software development projects.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

<strong>EDOD 506  Human Resource Development:</strong><br>Human resource development foundational theory, research, and techniques for workplace and organizational learning and performance.<br><strong>
MGT 610  Strategic Human Resource Management:</strong><br>Strategic issues associated with recruiting, staffing, evaluating, compensating, and developing employees; leadership issues associated therein.
EDOD 506 Human Resource Development:
Human resource development foundational theory, research, and techniques for workplace and organizational learning and performance.
MGT 610 Strategic Human Resource Management:
Strategic issues associated with recruiting, staffing, evaluating, compensating, and developing employees; leadership issues associated therein.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANGEMENT

<strong>EDUC 670 Grant Writing:</strong><br>Mechanics of proposal writing, including intangibles of the grant-seeker's art.
<br><strong>LEAP 580A2 Financial Structures in Arts Management</strong><br>Gain a solid understanding of all financial systems and the shifting climate of fiduciary specific concerns in arts organizations through a lens of equity and inclusion for all communities.
EDUC 670 Grant Writing:
Mechanics of proposal writing, including intangibles of the grant-seeker's art.
LEAP 580A2 Financial Structures in Arts Management
Gain a solid understanding of all financial systems and the shifting climate of fiduciary specific concerns in arts organizations through a lens of equity and inclusion for all communities.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT theory and case study

<strong>EDUC 651 Multicultural and Special Populations:</strong><br>Special concerns for working with people of various cultural, ethnic, exceptional, and special interest groups.
EDUC 651 Multicultural and Special Populations:
Special concerns for working with people of various cultural, ethnic, exceptional, and special interest groups.

MULTICULTURAL AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS

<strong>EDOD 673  Plan and Implement Change Interventions:</strong><br>Plan strategies and facilitate change interventions to improve organizational learning and performance.<br><strong>EDOD 675  Design, Develop, Implement Workplace Learning:</strong><br>Design, develop, and implement workplace learning and performance interventions drawing on foundational principles.<br><strong>EDOD 678  Assess Change Interventions:</strong><br>Assess and institutionalize change interventions to improve organizational learning and performance.
EDOD 673 Plan and Implement Change Interventions:
Plan strategies and facilitate change interventions to improve organizational learning and performance.
EDOD 675 Design, Develop, Implement Workplace Learning:
Design, develop, and implement workplace learning and performance interventions drawing on foundational principles.
EDOD 678 Assess Change Interventions:
Assess and institutionalize change interventions to improve organizational learning and performance.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

<strong>MGT 440 New Venture Management:</strong><br>Theories and skills necessary for managing startup and existing small firms.
MGT 440 New Venture Management:
Theories and skills necessary for managing startup and existing small firms.

NEW VENTURE MANAGEMENT

WHY CHOOSE CSU?

Colorado State University's Arts Management program connects students with the vibrant arts scene in Northern Colorado. Fort Collins is consistently rated one of the best places to live in the U.S. because of its signature blend of culture, community, and innovation. With both Denver and the Rocky Mountains just a short drive from CSU, your opportunities are limitless. Connect with local music festivals, arts venues, city events, and cultural organizations as you launch your career in arts leadership.

MASTER'S PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Start Dates

  • Fall semester
  • Spring semester*
  • Summer semester*

*Online program only

Term Length

  • 16 weeks (fall and spring)
  • 12 weeks (summer)

Timeline

Full time

  • 9 credits per semester
  • Graduate in as little as two years

Part time

  • Minimum of 3 credits per semester
  • Graduate at your own pace

Tuition

Residential

  • Calculate your cost of attendance on the Financial Aid website.

Online: $642 per credit

  • Includes student services
  • Fees assessed separately

Financial Aid

  • Financial Aid is available (residential and online).
  • Eligibility determined on an individual basis.

Format

  • Residential
  • Online
  • Hybrid

Faculty

  • Learn with faculty who currently work in arts management

Flexibility

  • Full- or part-time enrollment
  • Most classes offered in the evening
  • Take classes that work for your schedule

Admissions

  • Complete application includes:
    • Resume
    • Offical transcript
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement
  • No GRE or GMAT required

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15*
  • Summer: April 15*

*Online program only; residential students start in the fall semester.