collageBecome a Visual Arts Administrator
Our Visual Arts Administration MA was the first in the nation to focus on visual arts management careers in both traditional and alternative contexts. This degree prepares you for leadership roles in a broad range of arts organizations. We take into account the cultural and economic impact of the visual arts, nationally and internationally, as well as the challenges facing the arts today.
Our Visual Arts Administration MA addresses the whole art ecology, including:
- The cultural environment in which art and arts organizations operate
- The role of the artist in society
- How artwork is documented, presented, and interpreted
- The structure and management of organizations that display artwork – both nonprofit and for-profit
- The role of art theorists, critics, curators, and collectors
The degree curriculum considers how visual arts organizations expand knowledge and build audiences, the increasing role of art in urban development and public spaces, and new approaches and tools for encouraging access and participation. A strong emphasis is placed on acquiring theoretical and practical tools for fundraising, financial management, marketing, and knowledge of new media and technology in the visual arts. This degree is oriented toward both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors of the field.
The MA takes advantage of our position in New York City to access a variety of arts organizations and professionals for case studies, focus groups, site visits and examples of theory applied to practice. You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad and observe exciting changes in the visual and performing arts in other countries.
You will take entry-level business courses at the NYU Leonard N. Stern School of Business and the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and fulfill internships with a range of sponsors, including galleries, museums, and other arts organizations. In addition to business and internship requirements, you will complete a substantial master’s thesis.
Admission Prerequisites
To be considered for admission to the program, you must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a strong art history background, as well as appropriate internship and/or work experience.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
1. Prepare Your Application
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.Statement of Purpose
You are required to upload a typed, double-spaced, two- to three-page statement explaining your purpose in undertaking graduate study in the Visual Arts Administration program. This personal statement should describe your interest in the field and the direction you wish to pursue. Please include your name on each page of the statement.Letters of Recommendation
Submit three letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions.
We prefer letters of recommendation from academic and professional sources. Transcripts
Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary school you have attended or are attending. Make sure to request them in advance of the deadline.
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE evaluation, please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
See detailed instructions.GRE
Not required.Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.Portfolio
Not required.Personal Interview
Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule a personal interview. For those applicants living outside of the New York metropolitan area, the interview may be conducted by telephone or Skype.
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.Mailing Additional Items
If any remaining application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials together in a single mailing using this document cover sheet. Items received without the cover sheet take longer to process and match to your application. Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline. Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.
Application Policies
Application deadlines are “in-office” deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late November for Spring semester enrollment and in late March or early April for Summer or Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Financial Aid
In order for domestic students to be eligible for any financial aid you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The deadline to submit the FAFSA is March 1 for Fall/Summer enrollment or November 1 for Spring enrollment. Do not wait to be accepted. You can use tax forms from the previous tax year to submit.
For more information please visit the NYU Financial Aid website, Steinhardt Graduate Financial Aid site, and NYU Steinhardt Office of Admissions Paying for Your Education site.
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