Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration

Admissions & Aid College of Arts and Sciences
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Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration

What Will I Learn in the Arts Administration Major?

Explore your passion for the arts while building management and leadership skills in University of Portland’s bachelor of science (BS) in arts administration degree program, the first of its kind on the West Coast.

The arts administration major combines experience in music and theater with strategic expertise in business management within the arts and cultural sectors. Dive deep into the non-profit arts world with classes in management, operations, and finance—all while developing your talents as a music or theater major.

Through this comprehensive and multifaceted curriculum, UP’s arts administration bachelor’s degree program prepares you for exciting careers in nonprofit arts organizations, museums, theaters, and other community cultural centers.

Arts Administration Courses

A multifaceted set of business courses builds the foundation of the arts administration major, providing an interdisciplinary understanding of business principles that underpin arts management careers.

Combined with the business administration base, you’ll select either a music or theater emphasis to align with your interests and professional goals. You’ll study advanced concepts within your chosen emphasis, including composition, performance, theory, and production management. Internships and a capstone project provide the opportunity for you to apply course concepts for greater depth in understanding and professional application.

The core focus on universally applicable management skills accents the theater and music coursework, opening up a wide range of professional and graduate academic opportunities.

Degree Requirements

University Core

The 40-credit Core Curriculum represents the spirit of a University of Portland education. These courses encompass a broad range of perspectives across the liberal arts and complement every major. Watch your skills flourish from the Core’s foundation of clear communication and collaboration across disciplines, adaptability in times of challenge, and a concerted focus on working to uplift the community.

The Core

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More than a Degree

A University of Portland education is much more than in-classroom coursework—it’s transformative and experiential, preparing you for long-term personal and professional success.

An arts administration student works with faculty in the Shiley Marcos Center Digital Lab to setup lighting and camera equipment for a photo shoot.

Event Production Capstone

The arts administration bachelor’s degree program culminates in a capstone project, in which you produce a UP arts event, managing all aspects of production in collaboration with faculty, staff, and fellow students. The capstone provides a real-world scenario, which challenges you to transform theory from the curriculum into a successful event.

An arts administration student at University of Portland works behind the scenes of a media production in a theater.

Non-Profit Internship

Apply the knowledge gained from coursework in an internship at one of Portland’s 200+ arts organizations. You’ll select these placements in consultation with advisors, ensuring they align with the UP curriculum, program emphasis, and your professional goals.

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Rooted in the Holy Cross Tradition

A dedication to service, growth, empathy, and making a positive impact underscores University of Portland’s arts administration degree program. UP’s Holy Cross identity reflects our commitment to a holistic education where technical skill is awakened by a palpable desire to do good with your knowledge.

The UP Difference

See how a UP education provides you with the dedicated support and experiential opportunities you need for an exciting career in arts administration.

UP arts administration students engage in a class discussion with their professor at a table with laptops and documents; one gestures with papers, the other is viewed from behind.

:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

%

of Students Receive Financial Aid or Scholarships

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Hours of Internship Experience in any of the 200+ arts organizations in the Portland area

Arts Administration Student Spotlight

“I chose to major in Arts Administration because I love music and the arts, and the technical and organizational aspects of putting together performances. This program has given me a strong foundation as both a musician and as an administrator, and allowed me to gain real-world experience through an internship. When I leave this program, I will be prepared to enter into an arts organization with the knowledge and skills to step into many roles.”

Judah Juarez '27

Careers and Outcomes

The ability to navigate both the artistic and administrative sides of the arts creates professional opportunities across the arts, culture, and entertainment sectors.

Career Paths

With the blend of knowledge in performing arts and business, UP arts administration graduates are sharing their passion in a range of fulfilling career paths,  with communities including:

  • Art galleries
  • Colleges and universities
  • Cultural affairs departments
  • Event production companies
  • Museums
  • Nonprofit arts organizations
  • Performing arts centers
  • Theaters

Graduate Studies

The arts administration major is also a launching pad for advanced study in a range of subjects across business and the arts. Graduates of the BS in arts administration program are well prepared to enter graduate programs such as:

  • MA in Art in Design
  • MA in Curatorial Practice
  • MA in Music Business
  • Master of Music in Music Production
  • MBA
  • MFA in Theater
  • MS in Entrepreneurship

Related Degrees

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BBA in Marketing

Bring the Arts to Life in Your Community

University of Portland’s bachelor of science in arts administration provides a unique combination of business administration coursework with hands-on training in music or theater. Apply now to transform your passion for the arts into a dynamic career.

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