The Arts, Entertainment and Media Management (AEMM) Graduate Program is a 49 credit hour graduate program that was established in 1982 to help meet the need for proficient arts administrators, managers and entrepreneurs. Successful arts management is critical to the continued vitality of modern cultural institutions, creative enterprises, and arts organizations. If the public is to benefit, skilled arts managers must facilitate the work of artists.

To achieve this end, capable managers combine aesthetic sensibilities and business acumen. Their financial, legal and organizational decisions help make it possible for artists to realize their vision and to share it with the public. In short, talented arts managers are partners in a collaborative process.

The training of such partners is the goal of the AEMM Graduate Program.

AEMM graduate students study the management methods and skills needed to function effectively in today’s cultural institutions and businesses.

AEMM graduate students learn to appreciate the value of the arts; to understand the economic, social and political climate in which they operate; and to anticipate the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The AEMM Graduate Program is staffed by twelve full-time faculty and by part-time faculty and visiting guest lecturers who are professional practitioners from the arts, entertainment and media fields.

The AEMM Department offers five different concentrations:

The Media Management Concentration leads to professions in Broadcast Media, Related Electronic Media/Film and Print Media among other specialty areas in the media industry. Students may take specialty courses in film, video, television, graphic design, animation and radio at the Columbia College Chicago's state-of-the-art Film/Video/TV, Radio/Sound and Interactvie Arts and Media departments to supplement their management courses.

The Music Business Management Concentration leads to professions in the recording arts and sciences, music publishing, talent management, new media and entrepreneurship. Students may take elective and additional specialty courses in other departments to supplement the required management courses.

The Performing Arts Management Concentration leads to professions in legitimate and musical theatre, symphonic and chamber orchestras, other music events, opera and dance companies, and concert productions.

The Visual Arts Management Concentration leads to professions in museum, gallery and artist management.

Arts in Youth and Community Development (AYCD)
The first of its kind in this country, the program is designed for artists and community workers with a commitment to professionalizing the emerging field of youth arts. Offered jointly through the Graduate School of Columbia College Chicago, the Arts, Entertainment and Media Management Department and The Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP) this innovative program balances advanced academic study with hands-on experience to develop your career in this growing and dynamic field. Graduates of the intensive, two-year program earn a Master of Arts Management (MAM) degree in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management with a focus in Arts in Youth and Community Development.

To talk with a student advisor about concentrations offered by the AEMM Department Graduate Program, please call: 312-344-7652.

To graduate degree requirements