Art Business (MAAB)

The Master of Arts in Art Business is designed for aspiring and established professionals with a passion for the visual arts and a desire to master the market and management dynamics that drive artistic and commercial values today.

The MA in Art Business prepares graduates for transformative roles in leading art businesses, initiatives, and organizations. A focus on market dynamics and entrepreneurship gives you the skills and the knowledge to start your own ventures or build on existing ones.

University Policies

Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Art Business is a 40-unit MA degree: 30 units of required coursework plus 12 units of electives. All students are required to complete one of three capstone sequences:

Capstone Sequence

Every CBMArts student completes a capstone sequence comprised of both course work and a final project or deliverable that stems from your own intellectual and creative pursuits.

Practicum

Explore the arts and cultural field with partnering arts organizations such as museums, theaters, presenters, funders, and government agencies.

You might act as a consultant, providing valuable work related to the organization’s articulated needs and goals. Or you might serve as a researcher and observer, offering data and insights about the organization’s place and operations within the larger arts ecosystem. Work closely with a specific representative of the partnering organization and CBMArts faculty and present your work and findings for feedback and assessment. Some organizations offer a stipend; others do not.

Entrepreneurship Sequence

Research, design, plan, and pitch a new venture for the arts and cultural sector.

Your venture can stand independently of existing arts institutions and businesses, or it can propose innovations for existing organizations. New ventures can be for-profit firms or nonprofit initiatives, or something in between (such as public benefit corporations). Develop comprehensive and persuasive arguments for why your new venture will positively impact the sector and attract the necessary resources and support to get it off the ground.

The Entrepreneurship Sequence culmination entails a public-facing pitch showcase, during which students present their new ventures to panels of jurors who the students themselves have invited. These jurors, often professionals and leaders from both the arts and startup communities, provide feedback and serve as important contacts to turn the ventures into reality.

Thesis Sequence

Complete your degree requirements with the successful execution of a conventional Master’s thesis.

This thesis will most likely stem from completed coursework that stimulated your curiosity. Master’s thesis is primarily research-driven and must contribute new knowledge or understanding to the arts and cultural field. To meet this high standard, you must demonstrate an apparent capacity to frame a research question and execute the writing required to make a substantive contribution.

To complete the Thesis Sequence, you will identify a thesis advisor and gain approval for your proposal before your final semester of study (or the semester in which you intend to complete the thesis).

Master’s Degree thesis regulations available in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

Art Business on Site

Travel is an integral part of all CBMArts programs. All full-time students will be automatically registered for Art Business on Site in the program’s second semester. These study trips offer unparalleled access and exposure to the arts and cultural leadership, and infrastructure of cities other than Los Angeles. As such, they are considered integral to the CBMArts curriculum.

To resource these trips, every student is required to pay a travel fee in addition to tuition. This fee is not optional, nor is it refundable except in extraordinary circumstances and with an appeal filed with CBMArts administration and the full support of the CBMArts Director.

CBMArts organizes all travel, including transportation, lodging, site visits, and in some cases, meals. Students will be notified of itinerary and travel arrangements as soon as they have been confirmed.

The program cannot make individual arrangements for any student travel. If you need to arrange for different flights, trip extensions, or any other deviation from the group itinerary, you must do so on your own and at your own expense. There are no exceptions to this policy.