If you love the arts but also have killer business or marketing skills, you can put them to work as an arts administrator and help an organization succeed.
You'll need a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree to get started, though an advanced degree will gain you entry to higher-level jobs.
This type of work will involve fundraising, marketing, staffing, financial management, and programming.
Essential Information
A career in arts administration combines interest in the arts with business expertise and fundraising skills. Arts administrators work for symphony orchestras, art galleries, museums, ballet companies, musical groups, theatres, and other organizations.
While a bachelor's degree is sufficient for an entry-level job, a graduate degree may be needed for advancement.
| Required Education | Bachelor of Arts or Fine Arts degree; many go on to earn master's degrees and doctorates |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | -2% (for art directors) |
| Median Annual Salary (May 2020)* | $97,270 (for art directors) |
Source: *United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Description
An arts administrator takes care of the business operations of an arts-oriented organization. Employers of arts administrators may be non-profit organizations or government agencies.
Arts administrators may also work for corporations or foundations that support the arts.
In an arts organization, such as a theatre, an arts administrator often manages and promotes the activities of the organization. This involves interacting with artists, performers, supporters, and organizational staff.
Arts administrators usually have at least a bachelor's degree, and most have a master's or doctorate. Many have backgrounds in the arts as well, ranging from music to sculpting.
Duties
The many responsibilities of an arts administrator include developing budgets, planning events and performances, negotiating contracts, and developing community interest in the organization.
An arts administrator directs the hiring and training of personnel and devises their schedules and task assignments. Those employed by non-profit organizations are in charge of organizing fund-raising events and enlisting financial supporters.
Additionally, arts administrators are expected to conduct grant research, apply for grants, and disburse acquired funding.
Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies arts administrators as art directors. As a whole, job opportunities for these professionals are expected to decline approximately 2% between 2019 and 2029.
This does not apply to all types of organizations, however. For example, opportunities are expected to increase for advertising, public relations, and special services; motion picture and video industries; and specialized design services.
Meanwhile, the publishing industry is expected to decrease in its need for employees over the decade (www.bls.gov).
Since business operations such as finance, accounting, marketing, and personnel management are key parts of an arts administrator's skills, those with this background and experience will find they qualify for similar management positions in organizations not related to the arts, such as human resource management or production management.
Arts administration jobs are best suited to those with both a passion for the arts and a broad skill set, including a background in everything from marketing and human resources to fundraising, budgeting, and research.
Arts administrators typically hold a bachelor's degree and some earn an advanced degree, which leads to skills needed in similar fields such as PR, design, and film.
Job opportunities for arts administrators are predicted to see a decline in the 2019-2029 decade.
