MS in Arts Leadership

The Arts Leadership Master of Science degree is designed for arts administrators and cultural entrepreneurs who want to expand their personal vision of leadership and create a life and career for themselves in the arts.

The two-semester curriculum is designed for early and mid-career arts leaders who recognize that the rapidly changing world of the 21st Century requires an innovative approach to arts leadership. The program is multi-disciplinary and self-directed, allowing students to create highly individualized study courses that meet their particular needs and aspirations. Close faculty mentorship and guidance from working professionals in the field are a hallmark of this unique degree, as well as a commitment to both theory and practice.

Founded in 1884 and today the oldest continually operating cultural institution in Los Angeles, the Thornton School consistently ranks among the top one percent of the nation’s music schools and conservatories. Graduates of the school attain positions with major orchestras, ensembles, recording studios, and music industry firms and perform on stages and studios worldwide.

Blending the rigors of traditional conservatory-style education with the benefits of studying at a leading research university, the Thornton School offers students a thorough music education in a real-world context. Located at the center of Los Angeles, the school is the collegiate partner of choice for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the GRAMMY Foundation, and The Recording Academy, to name a few.