Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Management

Program Overview

Birkbeck University of London's Arts Management program offers a comprehensive exploration of arts policy and management, balancing theory and practice. Students develop critical-thinking skills, analyze leadership contexts, and explore current trends and issues in the arts sector. The program provides an optional placement for practical experience and prepares graduates for successful careers in arts administration, cultural policy, and other related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Name: Arts Management (PG Dip)
• Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
• Study Modes: On campus, flexible learning, online
• Starting Dates: October 2024 (full-time & flexible learning), September 2024 (part-time)
It analyzes leadership contexts and power relations in bringing together policy and managerial approaches related to current trends and issues. The program also balances theory and practice, inviting students to develop and expand their key critical-thinking skills in smaller discursive seminar groups focusing on public and voluntary sector arts organizations, but also addresses key commercial sector issues.
• Objectives:
• Develop a deep understanding of arts policy and management
• Analyze leadership contexts and power relations
• Balance theory and practice
• Develop critical-thinking skills
• Gain practical experience through an optional placement

Outline:

• Course structure:
• Core module: Understanding Arts Policy and Management (30 credits)
• Compulsory research methods module (0 credits)
• Three option modules (30 credits each)
• Indicative option modules:
• On campus:
• Audiences: Communities, Participation, and Learning
• Comparative Cultural Policies
• Curating as Critical Practice
• Inside Out of Culture: organisations, placements, and practice
• Managing the Performing Arts
• Online:
• Audiences: Communities, Participation, and Learning
• Curating as Critical Practice
• Inside Out of Culture: organisations, placements, and practice
• Course schedule:
• Full-time: Two evenings a week, plus some daytime sessions, October to July
• Part-time: One to two evenings a week, plus some daytime sessions, September to July
• Individual modules:
• Research Methods in Media and Cultural Studies: Develops research skills and methodologies relevant to the field of arts and culture.
• Audiences: Communities, Participation, and Learning: Examines the role and importance of audiences in the arts, including issues of participation and learning.
• Comparative Cultural Policies: Analyzes cultural policies in different countries and contexts, providing a comparative perspective on arts management.
• Curating as Critical Practice: Explores the role of curating in contemporary art and culture, focusing on critical and theoretical approaches.
• Inside Out of Culture: organisations, placements, and practice: Provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in an arts organization through a placement.

Assessment:

• Methods of assessment:
• Coursework: a combination of written work-related assignments, presentations, and special projects.
• Assessment criteria:
• Clarity and coherence of arguments
• Depth of analysis
• Quality of research and evidence
• Originality and creativity
• Effective communication and presentation

Teaching:

• Methods of teaching: Lectures, seminars, group projects, presentations, tutorials
• Faculty: Experienced academics and practitioners in the field of arts management
• Unique approaches:
• Emphasis on critical thinking and analysis
• Focus on current trends and issues
• Balance of theory and practice
• Opportunity for practical experience through an optional placement

Careers:

• Potential career paths:
• Arts administrator
• Arts manager
• Cultural policy advisor
• Curator
• Arts educator
• Arts fundraiser
• Arts marketer
• Opportunities:
• Work in a variety of arts organizations, including museums, galleries, theaters, and non-profit organizations
• Pursue a career in government or cultural policy development
• Outcomes: Graduates of the program are well-prepared to pursue successful careers in the arts and cultural sector.

Other:

• **Birkbeck has established a growing international reputation combining cultural studies with the latest ideas and techniques across film studies, journalism, screenwriting, arts management, digital media.