Fundraising events are typically a component of arts management jobs.
Arts management combines two seemingly unrelated areas: business and the arts. Training for arts management requires training in manage a nonprofit or public organization, knowledge of the art business, and manage and recruit artists. Management jobs in the arts include careers such as museum fundraisers, directors for a ballet, or art gallery owners, which require training in business and the creative industry. Training teaches and improves skills, which leaders of arts organizations must use on a daily basis to recruit donors, acquire artists and manage staff.
Function
Arts management professionals support the arts by marketing and delivering them to audiences. Training for arts management could involve budgeting and finances, fundraising, project development, marketing or community education. Training develops industry knowledge and broadens understanding of the subject. Business majors might combine classes in studio art to better understand run a museum, for example. Some artists also transition to roles in arts management after taking classes in business.
Benefits
Since the job market for artists remains competitive, training for arts management can help artists acquire business skills to land a better job. Training in new skill sets allows artists to grab higher salaries in arts administration jobs, which typically pay more than freelance studio and performing artist gigs. Getting hands-on experience and education in the arts through training gives candidates a leg up for job interviews and promotions.
Time Frame
Training time depends on personal background and experience and can range from a few months to a few years. Artists looking to switch to management may take two to three years to pursue a graduate degree in business or arts administration. Business majors might take additional classes in art history or the performing arts to train for a new industry, which would only take a semester or two. An internship or part-time job experience in a related nonprofit environment would usually last six months to a year. Established professionals in the industry might only require a few months to attend lectures or training classes to brush up on their expertise.
Types
Training for arts management must combine traditional education and hands-on experience. This can take the form of a preplanned degree program or additional classes at a local university. Several universities specialize in arts management and arts administration degrees. Internships at museums, ballets, operas and other cultural arts venues offer real-world training experience. Other training might include seminars or conferences for arts administration professionals. Volunteering at an arts organization provides unpaid training that can pay off later with industry contacts and experience.
Considerations
Training options will largely depend on geography. Larger cities like New York, Chicago and L.A. have a higher concentration of cultural arts organizations and, therefore, more training options. Arts management training also ranges considerably in time constraints, so evaluate long-term plans before signing up for an involved degree program or classes. Many art galleries and local arts organizations will readily welcome volunteers who want to learn the ropes.
