Arts Leadership
M.F.A. in Theatre
Preparing You to Lead, Collaborate, and Innovate
Virginia Tech’s M.F.A. in Theatre in Arts Leadership is a professionally focused graduate program. We combine coursework with hands-on learning to provide a theoretical framework and practical experience in arts management and advocacy to prepare students for the demands of today’s leadership roles in the arts.
Whether your background is in theatre, music, dance, or the visual arts, this program offers the opportunity to develop leadership skills, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, and prepare for careers in arts management, advocacy, and higher education.
Program Overview
The Arts Leadership program is housed within the M.F.A. in Theatre degree in the School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech. M.F.A. students work closely with faculty, professionals, and peers from across the performing and visual arts.
The program is designed to support students with diverse arts backgrounds and interests, including those who have studied theatre, music, dance, and the visual arts.
The M.F.A. in Theatre in Arts Leadership program is a member of the Association of Arts Administration Educators.
The M.F.A. in Theatre program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Why choose this program?
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Students engage with peers and faculty in theatre, music, design, and technology, fostering a rich environment for creative exchange. - Professional Experience
Opportunities include working with regional and national arts organizations on marketing, fundraising, and community engagement projects. - Flexible Curriculum
Electives are offered in a range of subject areas in the School of Performing Arts and in graduate programs across campus, allowing students to tailor their academic experience to their interests and career goals. - Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships are available and may provide tuition support and a stipend. Awards are competitive and based on qualifications and departmental needs.
What You'll Study
Practical, hands-on projects form the foundation of the program, challenging students to think critically, problem solve and respond creatively.
To complete the degree, successful completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours at the graduate level is required. The program is designed to be completed in three years.
- Arts Leadership and Advocacy
- Community Engagement
- Organizational Development and Strategic Planning
- Grant Writing and Fundraising
- Marketing and Audience Development
- Internship with a Professional Arts Organization
What Our Students Are Saying
“My time in the Arts Leadership program at Virginia Tech has been such a wonderful experience! My graduate assistantship at the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech along with class field projects have provided hands-on learning opportunities that have further developed my skills and introduced me to areas of arts administration that I wasn’t even aware of. In addition to experience on campus, this program also provides connections to a wide array of arts leaders in the field, which led me to additional internship opportunities. Amanda‘s dedication to her students and their success is unlike any other. I will be forever grateful for the mentorship that she has provided and the education I received at Virginia Tech.”
- Ashley Pope, 2024 M.F.A. in Arts Leadership
“Dr. Nelson has carefully crafted a program that spans diverse subjects. If you have gaps in your personal learning experience, you will be sure to study topics that not only help you fill those cracks, but plant new methodologies to grow your leadership skills. In addition to the important core classes, students are encouraged to take electives that will fulfill lines of personal inquiry. In this way, students are free to build upon their own passions, while ensuring that core competency in artistic leadership becomes part of the candidate's educational foundation.”
-Liz Gray, 2025, M.F.A. in Arts Leadership
“I think the leadership lens of this program is so important right now. Dr. Nelson helps us develop not only the skills to be good stewards of the arts, but also the critical thinking and emotional intelligence necessary for this crucial moment in our field. I feel better equipped to re-enter the field not just as an arts professional, but as a human being capable of tackling challenging problems with resilience.”
-Rachel Nunn, 2023 M.F.A. in Arts Leadership
"The M.F.A. Arts Leadership Program at Virginia Tech prepared me to start my professional career with confidence. I find myself using various aspects of my education on a daily basis, and I’m able to share resources I gained at VT with my work community. Joining the program was one of the best decisions I made. 'What’s a Hokie? I am.'"
– Anna Wehr, 2021 M.F.A. in Arts Leadership
Admissions Information
Application Deadline: January 15
Campus Visits: Strongly encouraged
Contact: Dr. Amanda Nelson, amandajnelson@vt.edu