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Arts and Entertainment Management

Arts and Entertainment Management

There’s no business like show business. Build a dynamic career in the live entertainment industry with a major in Arts and Entertainment Management from Dean College.

Program Overview 

For every performer on stage, there's also people working hard behind the scenes to make the show happen.

A bachelor’s degree in Arts and Entertainment Management from Dean College gives you the tools and experience to launch an exciting career in TV, film, music, producing, dance or theatre management, theme park management, event planning and management, promotions, marketing and beyond.

Dean College offers a bachelor’s degree and a minor in Arts and Entertainment Management. You can design your own individualized specialization, or choose one of the following program tracks:

  • Dance
  • Media Studies
  • Theatre

You’ll focus on the business side of show business, studying accounting, finance, marketing and management to learn how to support the arts in a sustainable way. You’ll gain a solid grounding in the liberal arts and have the opportunity to take production-based courses to understand what it takes to put on a show from every perspective.

You’ll also get real-world experience through practical projects, internships and experiential learning opportunities, like participating in conferences or going behind the scenes of some of the biggest entertainment venues in the industry. And you’ll get to network with and learn from leaders in the arts and entertainment industry through programs like "Storytime," a Zoom series with a talk-show format that has featured big names in the industry, including Ken Davenport, a two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre producer, blogger, and writer; Bob Pranga and Debi Staron, creators of Dr. Christmas, a Los Angeles based Christmas and special event design company that create unique holiday themed decorations for celebrity clientele, including Beyoncé, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kevin Hart and many more; Emma Walton Hamilton, a best-selling and award-winning author, editor, stage and television writer/producer, performer and arts educator; Jennifer Elise Cox, the comedic actress known for her role as Jan Brady in "The Brady Bunch Movie" and "A Very Brady Sequel"; and Lee Brownstein, a producer, director and editor that was part of the team behind MTV Sports, MSNBC, and the reality newsroom format that defined TMZ TV.

Two students in the control room during a theatre show

Hear from a Student

See a student’s perspective about what it’s like to major in Arts and Entertainment Management.

Dean College theatre professor teaching a student

School of the Arts Faculty

Our faculty are experts in their fields. In small classes, you’ll work closely with your professors and learn from their experience.

Arts and Entertainment Management Courses

Course Number Course Title Credits
AMGT 111 Introduction to Arts and Entertainment Management 3
AMGT 112 Theatre, Dance, and Performing Arts Management 3
AMGT 203 Venue and Facility Management 3
AMGT 210 Presenting Performing Arts and Touring 3
AMGT 220 The Business of the Biz 1
AMGT 305 Principles and Foundations of Not-For-Profit Fundraising 3
AMGT 317 Arts and Entertainment Law 3
AMGT 319 Marketing for Arts/Entertainment and Live Events 3
AMGT 402 Senior Project 3
AMGT 405 Leading the Organization 3
AMGT 460 Producing for Broadway and Regional Theatre 3
ACCT 103 Financial Accounting 3
BUS 235 Principles of Marketing 3
BUS 325 Principles of Finance and Budgeting 3
BUS 337 Organizational Behavior 3
THA 131 Production and Design l: Stagecraft 2
THA 132 Production and Design ll: Lighting 2
DCA 100 Campus Connections: Making the Transition 1
DCA 110 Career Connections: Developing Your Brand 1
DCA 200 Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan 1
DCA 300 The Internship Experience 3
DCA 350 Future Connections: Launching Your Career 3
DCA EXPERIENCE ELE Dean Career Advantage Experience Course 3
Total Credits 59

Course Number Course Title Credits
ENG 111 Composition l 3
ENG 112 Composition ll 3
SPC 101 Communication Fundamentals 3
MATH ELECTIVE Core Mathematics Elective 3
LAB SCIENCE ELECTIVE Core Lab Science Elective 4
ARTS ELECTIVE Core Distribution Arts Elective 3
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Humanities Elective 3
NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective 3
SOCIAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE Core Distribution Social Sciences Elective 3
COM 327 Applied Professional Communication 3
UDLA ELE Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives 9
Total Credits 40

Course Number Course Title Credits
ELE Electives 22
Total Credits 22

* Subject to change
** Based on the Dean College Academic Catalog 2021-22

Beyond the Classroom

Dean College students in Disney as a part of the Theme Park Management Course Building your skills and your network is key to building a successful career in the live entertainment industry.

As an Arts and Entertainment Management major at Dean, you’ll have extensive opportunities to apply your skills and learn from working professionals: 

  • Participate in on-campus musical, dance and theatrical productions and workshops. 
  • Complete a semester-long internship at an arts and entertainment venue such as The Providence Performing Arts Center, Jacob’s Pillow, Trinity Repertory Company, New Repertory Theatre, The Orpheum Theatre, WGBH, Boston Ballet, Disney College Program, ABC TV in New York, The Kennedy Center, Patriot Place or Gillette Stadium.
  • Interact with professionals who visit campus to share industry experiences and offer networking advice.

And when you graduate, you’ll be running the show. Our alumni find rewarding jobs as venue and theatre managers, fundraisers, event producers, company and production managers, theme park producers and managers, stage managers, box office managers, literary and booking agents, and so much more. They’re employed by places like Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Providence Performing Arts Center, Hanover Theatre and other industry leaders. 

Interested in event or venue management for sports teams, stadiums or other athletic programs in particular? Learn more about careers in sports.

Read more from Rachel '17
Read more from Mariah '23
Read more from Haley '22
Read more from Angeli
Rachel

Thanks to the hands-on opportunities I was given in the Arts and Entertainment Management program, I still use the skills that I developed while at Dean in my current position on the advancement team at the Guggenheim Museum. Dean gave me the confidence, the opportunities and the mentorship that have been instrumental in both my personal and professional growth.

Mariah Sheirer '23

I chose Dean because it was the only school where I could double major in both Dance and Arts and Entertainment Management. I love getting the opportunity to perform and choreograph every semester, as well as taking advantage of networking opportunities and learning about the business side of entertainment. The faculty are so welcoming, willing to make personal connections and really want to see you succeed.

Haley Custodio

I interned at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts as an assistant stage manager. Everything I’ve learned and experienced through my internship are things that reflect back to what I learned in the classroom, like studio management and how to run a business. In the future, I hope to own my own dance studio, and I can easily apply what I’ve learned at my internship and at Dean all at once.

Angeli Myatt

Theme Park Management is my favorite course at Dean. The Walt Disney World & Universal Studios trip that I was able to experience was fantastic. Hands-on workshops helped me gain team-building skills and the tours gave us an inside look at how the park is run and how to keep guests wanting to come back.

Get Involved

Learn more about how to get involved with our student-run clubs, organizations and performances.
  • Dean College students hanging out outside of Woodward Hall
    Arts and Entertainment Management Club Dean College’s student group for Arts and Entertainment Management majors.
  • Dean College students dancing during the Black Excellence Showcase
    Dance and Performance Groups Join one of our numerous student performance groups.
  • Dean College students working in production at a sound board
    Campus Productions Help put on the show for our campus events and performances.

Uniquely Dean

Students standing in front of the Main Stage in the Campus Center at Dean College Gain experience and build your network through the unique programming that the Dean College Arts and Entertainment Management program has to offer.
  • Go backstage at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios through our Theme Park Management course.
  • Participate in workshops, master classes and professional conferences, such as the Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference. 
  • Meet industry professionals through our “Storytime” series via Zoom, a talk-show format featuring leaders in the arts and entertainment industry.
  • Gain exclusive learning opportunities through The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management.
  • Apply your knowledge in a semester-long internship at an arts and entertainment venue.
  • Dean College has been recognized as #6 Best Theatre Arts Schools in Massachusetts as part of the 2021 PLEXUSS Global Rankings
  • Learn from faculty and staff who are experienced practitioners in the field. Dean College was ranked #5 in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Colleges, North category.

Setting the Scene

As an Arts and Entertainment Management major at Dean, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take on front-of-house or behind-the-scenes roles in our first-class performance and teaching venues. Explore the photo gallery below for a look at the spaces where you’ll learn, practice, collaborate and manage.

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Dean College students in class in the Main Stage Theatre

Located in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center, the Main Stage Theatre is a 16,000-square-foot state-of-the-art teaching and performance venue.

Dean College Main Stage Booth

The Main Stage Theatre is home to a state-of-the-art control booth, where you can learn the latest techniques in lighting, sound and stage.

Dean College Main Stage Booth

Take classes in lighting, sound and production, and then take on those roles for our Main Stage productions.

Dean College students working in the set shop

The Main Stage Theatre is also home to a costume shop and stage construction space.

Dean College students working in the set shop

Take classes in production and set design, where you’ll learn how to design and build a variety of sets.

Dean College students building sets

Build the sets for Main Stage productions while building skills you can use in your future career.

Dean College student working on the lighting for a production with a professor

Lighting is a key part of every performance. You’ll learn best practices and have the chance to manage the lights during productions.

Dean College students performing in class

The Guidrey Center, located in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center, is one of our first-class teaching and performance venues.

Dean College students in class in the Performing Arts Center

Your courses will be held in a number of classrooms and studios across campus, including the Performing Arts Studio.

Dean College students performing in class in the Marvin Chapel

The Marvin Chapel offers a unique setting to learn, practice and find inspiration.