Where Creative Meets Business
The Master of Science in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) at Northwestern University is a graduate program in arts, media, and entertainment leadership. Designed for artists, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals, the program blends business strategy, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and industry insight to prepare graduates for impactful careers across film, television, music, performing arts, gaming, media, and cultural organizations. With direct access to Chicago’s vibrant creative economy and connections to top industry leaders, MSLCE equips you with the strategic, financial, and entrepreneurial skills needed to lead people, projects, and organizations in today’s evolving creative industries.
The MSLCE program brings together rising leaders with experiences and professional interests across creative industries, spanning performing and visual arts practice and administration, film and television production, development, and distribution, music production and management, entrepreneurship and technology, and more.
Start the program in the Fall or Winter Quarter. Learn more about upcoming deadlines and the admissions process on the Application Instructions page.
Leadership Training for Creative Industry Professionals
Customize Your Creative Industries Master’s Program
The MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises curriculum addresses topics across leadership, communication, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, analytics, and law that are specifically designed for the creative sector.
With a combination of core and elective courses and an experiential component, you’ll have the flexibility to customize your course path to match your experience, interests, and career goals. Whether you focus on entertainment business, music management, media production, arts administration, creative entrepreneurship, immersive experiences, or another endeavor, you’ll graduate with the tools to lead people, projects, and organizations with confidence.
Earn your degree in as little as one year with our full-time, accelerated option, or choose part-time enrollment to fit your studies into your professional schedule.
Professional Development, Networking and Career Support in the Creative Sector
In the MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises program, you’ll have access to leading professionals across arts, media, entertainment, and cultural organizations. Through our courses and specialized professional development programming, you’ll engage with executives, producers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers shaping the future of creative industries.
Our External Program, Internships, and Career Services (EPICS) office offers a robust lineup of employer information sessions, networking events, masterclasses, and mentorship opportunities. These experiences not only build your skills but also expand your professional network in Chicago’s vibrant creative economy and beyond.
As an added advantage, MSLCE students can receive up to $1,500 in IDEA Fund support to pursue career-advancing opportunities — from conference attendance and specialized workshops to entrepreneurial projects and industry certifications. This funding helps you turn classroom learning into real-world impact, accelerating your path to leadership in arts management, entertainment and media business, and creative entrepreneurship.
Learn more about professional development for creative industry leaders >>
Study Arts, Media and Entertainment Leadership near the Heart of Chicago
Northwestern University’s Evanston campus offers immediate access to Chicago — one of the nation’s most dynamic creative and cultural hubs. The city is home to Tony Award–winning theatres, world-class museums, acclaimed music venues, and a fast-growing entertainment and media industry.
As an MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises student, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with and learn from the organizations and professionals driving this creative economy. Chicago provides a living laboratory for building your career in arts management, entertainment leadership, creative entrepreneurship, and more.
Whether you’re attending a gallery opening, producing a live performance, exploring emerging media technologies, or collaborating on a community arts initiative, Chicago offers endless ways to expand your skills, network, and impact as a creative leader.
Why Choose the MSLCE Program at Northwestern University?
Unlike programs that focus on a single creative sector — such as entertainment business, music management, or arts administration — the Master’s in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) prepares you for careers that can navigate across the entire creative economy. Our interdisciplinary curriculum spans arts, entertainment, media, design, and emerging technologies, giving you versatile skills and a broad professional network. This breadth allows graduates to remain adaptable and flexible throughout their careers, ready to succeed wherever their creative interests take them — from established industries to emerging fields.
Inside MSLCE
Inside MSLCE
Advancing Careers
Connecting with Creative + Cultural Leaders
MSLCE Alumni
