If you enjoy the performing arts but don't have the inclination to pursue a career on stage, then a career in performing arts management may be for you. From working in the box office in a small nonprofit theater to managing a multi-million dollar symphony budget, performing arts managers work behind the scenes making theater, dance, orchestra and other performances come to life on stage. Today, the performing arts are a growing part of the American economy. With mergers between giant entertainment conglomerates, the opportunities in performing arts management are greater than they have ever been before.

The performing arts are blending now with television, radio and stage to create complete marketable packages. People who are committed to the career can find themselves working with productions and groups that are known around the world or helping to create performances in small towns bringing the theatrical arts to audiences everywhere. Many people who now work in performing arts management were once involved on stage as performers, musicians or dancers and moved into management because they have a love for the performing arts and feel they are important. Others are people who enjoy the excitement of working with creative people and on widely varying projects under the pressure of performance deadlines.

Performing arts managers work to advertise the performances, raise money, hire staff and performers, create artistic visions for groups and manage venues where performances are produced. They work in small nonprofit organizations and in large venues that present commercial productions. They work with their management to create marketing plans, choose performers that will come to their venues, help choose selections for the season, make business decisions that can make a performing arts venue and company well known, and are subject to criticism from the press when things don't go as well as planned. Performing arts managers work with the public taking reservations over the phone, answering questions, taking tickets and showing the patrons to their seats. They also make decisions based on feedback from the audiences on what will please them the best. From accounting, to finance, from advertising to making out time cards, the performing arts manager is responsible for all of the behind the scenes aspects of the performance.

A performing arts manager is responsible, works well under pressure and independently, learning what needs to be done and doing whatever it takes to make sure the performance is supported as well as it can be. "The show must go on" is an old adage in the performing arts, and performing arts managers make sure that it does! This report will introduce you to some of the many special skills and types of jobs available within performing arts management and will give you some advice on how to get started. You'll find out what jobs are available, how people in performing arts management got started and the advice they have for someone like you who is considering getting started in the field. If the performing arts world is exciting to you and you enjoy having a lot of responsibility and working hard at something you love, then keep reading and find out how you can find a career in performing arts management.