MA Arts Management – (M.A.)

The MA Arts Management programme has been designed to provide a comprehensive grounding in the skills necessary for the effective management of arts organisations. The programme is delivered by a team of experienced arts practitioners alongside guest lectures from a number of high profile arts organisations throughout the UK.

The summer of 2011 saw the opening of our £22.5 million development, transforming the College into a leading performing arts venue. The venue attracts artists from around the globe and provides arts management students with the opportunity to be involved in the extensive range of events at the National Conservatoire of Wales.

The programmes runs full time from September to the end of May as a series of taught modules and placement options. Students will then complete their business and marketing plans by the end of July. During this period there will be regular tutorials with relevant academic staff.

In an initial series of seminars, you will explore the wide political and economic context in which arts organisations operate, focussing particularly on those in receipt of public funding. You will examine the function of the arts and cultural activity in society, looking at cultural policy and state patronage of the arts since 1945.

You will develop essential administrative and financial skills through classes covering topics such as artistic policy, board management, sources of funding and sponsorship, project budgeting, cash-flow analysis, basic book-keeping, marketing and public liability.

Further classes in employment law, contract law, intellectual copyright, health and safety and risk assessment will help you develop an understanding of the processes involved in planning and managing arts organisations, outdoor events and tours. You will receive classes in venue management which will include work based experience within the Marketing, Events and Development departments of the College.

Education and community work is now an important part of the work of most arts organisations and you will learn about the education system and the National Curriculum in England and Wales as well as best practice policies relating to working with people with disabilities. You will also gain an understanding of important issues relating to cultural diversity.

In addition to the specific skills relating to arts management, you will receive training in a range of transferable skills such as interview techniques, public speaking, effective negotiation, time management, desktop publishing, web design and other IT tools.

Over the duration of the course, you will be required to submit a number of written assignments for assessment including proposals, funding applications, marketing and business plans. You will undertake a four-to-six week work placement in February / March.

With the opening of the new performance facilities there will be a number of opportunities for you to undertake your work placement within College managing an array of public events.

If you have already established a career and wish to develop this by studying for a postgraduate qualification, you can attend classes one day per week for two years. You will be assessed on the basis of your current work, rather than work placement.