MFA in Arts Leadership

Students engage in real-world, project-based learning through individualized mentorships with experienced faculty, completing applied projects in their own communities and organizations each semester. These mentorships enhance students' professional experiences in all aspects of arts leadership, making them desirable to arts organizations across sectors. The low-residency format allows working professionals to pursue rigorous graduate training while maintaining their current positions and community connections.

The program prepares graduates to step directly into leadership roles within existing cultural organizations or to launch new ventures such as nonprofits, collectives, and creative businesses. Grounded in a belief that leadership itself is an art form requiring vision, adaptability, collaboration, and purpose, the curriculum develops high-level professional competencies through applied work, mentorship, and real-world project implementation. Students manage and execute substantial cultural initiatives that respond to the unique needs and opportunities of their communities.

Each semester begins with an intensive in-person residency in Lynchburg, Virginia, where students and faculty come together for immersive workshops, faculty and guest lectures, collaborative projects, and cohort-building. Throughout the semester, students work closely with experienced faculty mentors and participate in graduate-level seminars on essential topics such as cross-sector collaboration, inclusive program design, sustainable resource strategies, and values-driven leadership.

Total of 60 credit hours: Four semester-long residencies (ALDR 6691, 2 credits each); Thesis Residency (ALDR 6692, 4 credits); Four mentorships including Goals, Inquiry, and Execution; Facilitation, Evaluation, and Adaptive Leadership; Designing Cultural Initiatives and Community Impact; and Thesis Mentorship (8 credits each); and 16 credit hours from the following core seminars: Organizational Arts Leadership; Community-Centered Resource Strategies; Culture and Program Design; and Collective Action in the Arts.

Enrollment into this program is limited to ensure individualized attention and mentorship quality. Admission to the program is awarded based on application materials including statement of purpose, professional resume, letters of recommendation, and acceptance into the Randolph College Graduate School. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The program is especially well-suited to creative entrepreneurs, arts leaders, community development professionals, and cultural organizers who are already embedded in arts and place-based work and are seeking a graduate degree that elevates, deepens, and legitimizes their experience and impact. Please visit our website (https://www.randolphcollege.edu/arts-leadership/apply/) for more enrollment information.