M.A. in Cultural Leadership & Management
Become a culturally grounded, ethically driven leader.
Complete in as little as 2 Years
87% of alumsworking in related careers
Ë®¹ûÅÉAV½â˵'s Master of Arts in Cultural Leadership & Management (M.A.C.L.M.) (formerly
the M.A. in Cultural Sustainability) prepares students for culturally and ethically
grounded leadership in mission-driven organizations.
Building on principles of cultural sustainability, working with communities through
reciprocal relationships, collaborative research, and ethical intervention, the program
develops students' capacity to lead with integrity, navigate organizational complexity,
and translate cultural understanding into effective practice.
Our graduates don't just understand culture. They know how to lead through it, in
museums, nonprofits, cultural agencies, community organizations, advocacy groups,
and mission-driven institutions where relationships, equity, and accountability matter.
What Sets Us Apart
- Culturally Grounded Leadership: We teach leadership that centers relationships, recognizes power, and honors community
accountability.
- Ethics in Action: You'll learn to navigate organizational constraints, institutional systems, and resource
pressures while maintaining ethical integrity and community-centered practice.
- Applied Learning: Every course connects to real-world practice. You'll build skills you can use immediately,
whether you're already in a leadership role, building toward one, or transitioning
from another sector.
- Practitioner Faculty: Our instructors aren't just scholars; they're working professionals leading cultural
organizations, building partnerships, and navigating the same challenges you face.
Hands-on experience
Between our signature summer residency, collaborative projects, and internship opportunities,
our program combines the flexibility of online learning with the hands-on experience
that can only be gained through direct practice. You'll work on real projects, engage
with real communities, and develop portfolio-ready demonstrations of leadership capacity.
Discover low-residency
Tuition & scholarships
The total estimated cost for the M.A. in Cultural Leadership & Management is $41,000,
based on current tuition and fees for the 2025–2026 academic year. Students can receive
up to $8,000 in scholarships.
Explore tuition & scholarships
How to apply
Applications for the Fall 2026 semester are due July 25th, 2026. Applicants are required
to submit a resume, undergraduate transcript, a letter of recommendation, and an essay
discussing your goals.
Apply Now!
Why choose Ë®¹ûÅÉAV½â˵?
Study Abroad as a Ë®¹ûÅÉAV½â˵ Grad
Take your graduate education abroad. Ë®¹ûÅÉAV½â˵'s Intensive Courses Abroad combine hands-on
learning, faculty expertise, and immersice experiences in destingations around the
world.
Explore graduate study abroad programs
News
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June 29, 2026 Congratulations to Susan Eleuterio, adjunct faculty member in Ë®¹ûÅÉAV½â˵ College's M.A. in Cultural Leadership and Management program, who has been named the 2026 Beacon Award honoree by Illinois Humanities as part of its annual Public Humanities Awards.
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April 17, 2026
In ‘Eating Behind Bars’, Leslie Soble details how food is used to further punish incarcerated people in the US.