Master of Arts in

Arts and Nonprofit Leadership

Online Master’s Degree Program

This program blends artistic sensibility with crucial business acumen to provide you with a comprehensive toolkit for enhancing your effectiveness and impact.

Complete this form to access our program guide for course curriculum, admissions requirements, faculty overviews and more.

Earn Your Degree

100%

Online

Complete your degree in as quick as

20 Months

Full-time status required
(two courses per term)*

Combine

Arts & Business

Skill Sets

Leverage Excellence in Arts and Nonprofit Education

Gain the relevant skills and knowledge to become more impactful in the arts and nonprofit management sectors.

The M.A. in Arts and Nonprofit Leadership program distinguishes itself through its interdisciplinary curriculum, which combines arts management, nonprofit leadership, and business principles to provide you with a holistic understanding of the nonprofit sector.

Is This Program Right for Me?

This program is ideal for arts-centric individuals with limited business experience and knowledge who seek to empower themselves in the arts administration and nonprofit leadership job market. Current professionals looking to advance their careers can benefit from specialized education that equips them to navigate industry changes and enhance their career opportunities.

Individuals with arts backgrounds looking to translate their experience to the nonprofit sector
Creative professionals who desire a deeper understanding of nonprofit leadership
Nonprofit professionals seeking to gain practical skills and knowledge to navigate the evolving nonprofit landscape
International students wanting to understand arts and nonprofit management
Individuals who have a passion for nonprofits and the arts

Graduates of the M.A. in Arts and Nonprofit Leadership program may be positioned to qualify for the following careers within the nonprofit or arts management sectors:

Executive Director
Managing Director
Development Officer
Event Organizer
Special Events Coordinator

Learning Outcomes

The online program fosters a flexible, supportive and collaborative environment where you can grow personally and professionally. Within each class, connect with a diverse cohort of like-minded professionals who share your passion for the arts and nonprofit work.

Ready yourself for a dynamically changing and evolving arts and nonprofit industry. This program will teach you:

Revenue generation for nonprofits
Communication skills and fostering stakeholder engagement
Strategies for navigating real-world challenges
Developing a personalized leadership style

In 2022, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated

$151.7 billion

of economic activity, which supported

2.6 million jobs.*

*Source: https://www.newmexicoculture.org/assets/files/reports/AEP6_NationalReport.pdf

Meet The Program Director

Megan Heber

Professor and Director

Heber is currently the professor of practice in arts management and nonprofit leadership at SMU’s Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA). In 2020, Heber was selected as a Business Council for the Arts Obelisk Award Winner for her extraordinary support of arts and culture in North Texas. She was also named as one of “30 Under 40” by her undergraduate alma mater, Rowan University.

Why SMU?

Formally established at SMU in 1969, the Meadows School of the Arts has been a leader in linking arts and business for over 50 years. The Meadows School educates its students to become visionary artists, scholars, and communication professionals. The goal of SMU, as a comprehensive educational institution, is to prepare students to meet the rapidly evolving demands of professional careers.

Request More Information