Arts Leadership Degree Programs

Arts Leadership

There’s no business like show business. Build a dynamic career in the live entertainment industry with a degree in Arts Leadership from Dean College.

Program Overview

We’re excited to share that our Arts and Entertainment Management program has now evolved into the Arts Leadership major. This new name better reflects the dynamic skill set our students develop. Beyond effective management strategies, Arts Leadership majors gain expertise in marketing, production, and organizational leadership. A degree in Arts Leadership will empower you to launch your career as a forward-thinking leader in the performing arts, ready to shape the future of the industry.

You’ll focus on the business side of show business, studying accounting, finance, marketing and management to learn how to support the arts in a sustainable way. You’ll gain a solid grounding in the liberal arts and have the opportunity to take production-based courses to understand what it takes to put on a show from every perspective.

You’ll also get real-world experience through practical projects, internships and experiential learning opportunities, like participating in conferences or going behind the scenes of some of the biggest entertainment venues in the industry. And you’ll get to network with and learn from leaders in the arts and entertainment industry through programs like "Storytime," a Zoom series with a talk-show format that has featured big names in the industry, including Ken Davenport, a two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre producer, blogger, and writer; Bob Pranga and Debi Staron, creators of Dr. Christmas, a Los Angeles based Christmas and special event design company that create unique holiday themed decorations for celebrity clientele, including Beyoncé, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kevin Hart and many more; Emma Walton Hamilton, a best-selling and award-winning author, editor, stage and television writer/producer, performer and arts educator; Jennifer Elise Cox, the comedic actress known for her role as Jan Brady in "The Brady Bunch Movie" and "A Very Brady Sequel"; and Lee Brownstein, a producer, director and editor that was part of the team behind MTV Sports, MSNBC, and the reality newsroom format that defined TMZ TV.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, Dean also offers a minor in Arts Leadership.

Performing Arts Brochure

Dean College theatre professor teaching a student

Theatre and Arts Leadership Faculty

Our faculty are experts in their fields. In small classes, you’ll work closely with your professors and learn from their experience.

Beyond the Classroom

Dean College students in Disney as a part of the Theme Park Management Course

Building your skills and your network is key to building a successful career in the live entertainment industry.

As an Arts Leadership major at Dean, you’ll have extensive opportunities to apply your skills and learn from working professionals:

Participate in on-campus musical, dance and theatrical productions and workshops.
Complete a semester-long internship at an arts and entertainment venue such as The Providence Performing Arts Center, Jacob’s Pillow, Trinity Repertory Company, New Repertory Theatre, The Orpheum Theatre, WGBH, Boston Ballet, Disney College Program, ABC TV in New York, The Kennedy Center, Patriot Place or Gillette Stadium.
Interact with professionals who visit campus to share industry experiences and offer networking advice.

And when you graduate, you’ll be running the show. Our alumni find rewarding jobs as venue and theatre managers, fundraisers, event producers, company and production managers, theme park producers and managers, stage managers, box office managers, literary and booking agents, and so much more. They’re employed by places like Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Providence Performing Arts Center, Hanover Theatre and other industry leaders.

Interested in event or venue management for sports teams, stadiums or other athletic programs in particular? Learn more about careers in sports.

Read more from Lucy ’24

Thanks to the hands-on opportunities I was given in the program, I still use the skills that I developed while at Dean in my current position on the advancement team at the Guggenheim Museum. Dean gave me the confidence, the opportunities and the mentorship that have been instrumental in both my personal and professional growth.

Rachel '17 Dean College Alumna

I chose Dean because it was the only school where I could double major in both Dance and Arts and Entertainment Management (now Arts Leadership). I love getting the opportunity to perform and choreograph every semester, as well as taking advantage of networking opportunities and learning about the business side of entertainment. The faculty are so welcoming, willing to make personal connections and really want to see you succeed.

Mariah '23 Dean College Alumna

I interned at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts as an assistant stage manager. Everything I’ve learned and experienced through my internship are things that reflect back to what I learned in the classroom, like studio management and how to run a business. In the future, I hope to own my own dance studio, and I can easily apply what I’ve learned at my internship and at Dean all at once.

Haley '22 Dean College Alumna

I really like learning about everything it takes to run a theatre or a performing arts venue in general, as well as the constant practice we get through classes and performances to improve our skills. Everything at Dean has helped push me outside my comfort zone and allow me to grow into a leadership position.

Lucy ’24 Dean College Alumna

Get Involved

Learn more about how to get involved with our student-run clubs, organizations and performances.

Arts Leadership Club Dean College’s student group for Arts Leadership majors.
Dance and Performance Groups Join one of our numerous student performance groups.
Campus Productions Help put on the show for our campus events and performances.

Uniquely Dean

Students performing on the field at Gillette Stadium

Gain experience and build your network through the unique programming that the Dean College Arts Leadership program has to offer.

Go backstage at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios through our Theme Park Management course.
Participate in workshops, master classes and professional conferences, such as the Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference.
Meet industry professionals through our “Storytime” series via Zoom, a talk-show format featuring leaders in the arts and entertainment industry.
Gain exclusive learning opportunities through The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management.
Apply your knowledge in a semester-long internship at an arts and entertainment venue.
Dean College has been recognized as #6 Best Theatre Arts Schools in Massachusetts as part of the 2021 PLEXUSS Global Rankings.

Setting the Scene

As an Arts Leadership major at Dean, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take on front-of-house or behind-the-scenes roles in our first-class performance and teaching venues. Explore the photo gallery below for a look at the spaces where you’ll learn, practice, collaborate and manage.

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