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Arts & Cultural Management

Duration: 1.5 years (3 semesters)
Awards: Master of Arts Arts & Cultural management
Mode: Full-time. Classes will be conducted in evening mode.
Intake: January 2011 intake

> The Arts Manager as Cultural Entrepreneur
> Applicant Profile
> Programme Structure
> Industry Partnership
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THE ARTS MANAGER AS CULTURAL ENTREPRENEUR

The creative and cultural sector is developing rapidly as an important engine of global economic development. The industries under this sector are seen as a powerful source of income, job creation and export earnings for most advanced countries, and a feasible strategic option to diversify the economies of developing countries by offering new avenues for these countries to enter into value added high growth sectors of the emerging creative economy. This transformation has brought about the critical realisation that the role of the Arts Manager is far more complex. Today, the Arts Manager’s role has transformed from one who administers non-profit organisations to becoming an enabler of artmaking and one who shapes and influences cultural policy and discourse. The Arts Manager today is therefore an innovator and a social and cultural entrepreneur who facilitates greater interaction and exchange between art, artists, art agencies, policy makers, the industry and its audience.

Having pioneered Singapore’s first Arts Management studies in 1995, LASALLe’s arts management programmes are the only ones in Singapore that cover both the visual and performing arts sectors. The programme has produced many successful graduates who are making a difference in our creative and cultural landscape with organisations including WOMAD Singapore, The Esplanade Co Ltd, National Arts Council, Singapore Art Museum, National Archives, Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Arts Central, The Substation, Objectifs and various art galleries including Art2, Artfolio and Gajah Gallery. LASALLe’s MA Arts & Cultural Management is Southeast Asia’s only English language postgraduate programme that provides theoretical and practical study, as well as research training, for both visual and performing arts. Conducted in singapore where the arts and culture are at the cusp of growth and change, the programme provides the opportunity for practicing and potential arts and cultural managers with diverse backgrounds to bring their own experiences to engage with each other and industry professionals on the critical issues facing the industry today. The programme is distinctive in its focus on cultural policy and business strategy as its programme engine to encourage research.

APPLICANT PROFILE

Candidates are required to demonstrate a high degree of competence in their field of interest or current practice in the creative industry through an interview as well as a submission of a research proposal. A sense of enquiry, commitment to research and self-discipline, as well as the ability to conceptualise, analyse and evaluate ideas and critical theories will be required.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The academic strategy of the programme is to present a variety of modules appropriate for the study and exploration of critical issues relating to the arts, cultural and business management. The programme’s teaching and learning methodology is a balance between cultural theory and business strategy enabling the acquisition of theoretical knowledge to support the candidate’s research interest, which would be realised in a major thesis or project. All the six modules are aimed to enhance the capabilities of individuals at every stage of their career—from new managers to experienced ones.

Through a programmed approach of lectures, seminars and workshops by LASALLe faculty, industry experts and professionals and international visitors, candidates will be equipped with the knowledge and ability in managing an artistic and ever changing cultural environment.

Semester 1:

Cultural Policy and Leadership Seminars
In Cultural Policy and Leadership Seminars, candidates will analyse the function of cultural policy and its relationship to society and the political economy. They will examine the roles of various cultural policy ‘actors’ including the state and its agencies, major arts and cultural institutions, the non-profit sector, business sector, and artists themselves. Through the study of cultural policy models from various countries, the module will examine the intersection of cultural policy with such areas of political, economic and social concern as national identity, cultural diversity, economic development, urban regeneration and heritage preservation. The comparative study of cultural policy models will also cover topics such as funding processes, censorship, the effects of a public performance on the audience through education, therapy, propaganda or entertainment. The organisation of the arts as social institutions and the tension between individual creativity and collective expression will be studied in detail.

Global Management of the Arts and Culture
Global Management of the Arts and Culture establishes the foundation for the concepts, methods and justification for arts and culture and provides the vocabulary with which candidates will engage over issues in the programme. Starting with a critical inquiry of key Western and Asian aesthetic considerations in contemporary art practice to postmodern concerns, they will examine key issues such as the formation of cultural capital, globalisation and the economics of culture, changes in social structure and cultural expression, the evolving role of cultural identity in society and the interdisciplinarity of genres across forms and cultures. These issues will be analysed cross-culturally and from a range of methodological perspectives to foreground and knowledge in artistic practice. in addition, candidates will also be introduced to modern management theories and how these made an impact on the practice of management in a variety of arts and cultural contexts. The module is concerned with raising your awareness of the significance of the arts in society, the development of the creative industries and the role of arts and cultural management through principles and theories in sponsorship, fundraising, audience development, etc.

Introduction to Postgraduate Studies
In order to adequately lay the foundation for postgraduate study and research work, introduction to Postgraduate studies orientates candidates to these demands through developing processes of acquiring higher-level thinking and academic skills (which includes writing, reading and researching). Candidates will be introduced to various research methods employed in the study and practice of arts and cultural management.

Semester 2:

Business Strategies for the Arts Entrepreneur
The knowledge and ability to manage within the global business environment is crucial for the leaders of today and tomorrow. The module Business Strategies for the Arts Entrepreneur will closely examine best practices in the management of commercial versus non-profit organisations with a specific emphasis on finance, marketing, entrepreneurship and corporate governance. Practical application of contemporary management theories and concepts will be carried out through analysis of case studies which will focus on organisations in crisis, organisations facing strategic issues within a weave of complex social and political forces. You will utilize the knowledge and skills that you have gained to evaluate and formulate recommendations for these organisations/environments.

Creative and Cultural Industries Seminars
The Creative and Cultural Seminars module is a critical seminar platform which allows candidates to engage with industry professionals and peers on key issues and challenges faced by the different constituencies in the creative and cultural industry sectors encompassing design, film, publishing, performing and visual arts. in addition to core issues such as funding, intellectual property rights, management and protection, components in this module primarily investigate the fundamental definitions of the creative and cultural industries and provide an overview of the business of creative and cultural industries in singapore and the region.

Semester 3:

Research Dissertation or Research Project Report
The final outcome of this programme must relate to the study of the management of the creative industries with reference to the specialist concerns of the programme and may either take the form of the completion of a 15,000-word academic thesis dissertation or a 12,000-word report of findings from undertaking a practical research project. Both forms require your ability to conduct research using primary and secondary methodologies to reveal a critical engagement with issues in the creative industries, be it focused on cultural policy, theory or business strategies and the candidate must show highly developed skills of critical inquiry in the chosen area of research.

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP

One of the strengths of the programme is its collaboration with industry. Towards this end, it has invited practitioners and senior executives from major arts organisations to share their knowledge and expertise with our candidates. Part of this is done through an event organised by the programme called iNTeraCTioNs, where industry speakers are invited to have discourse with our candidates. Candidates in the programme will also have the option of doing an internship with a local arts or cultural organisation.

THE FACULTY

Eilena Ong, Lecturer and MA Arts & Cultural Management Programme Coordinator

Professional achievements’ include Business development & events manager at Violet oon Consultants (for singapore Food ambassador & Celebrity Chef, ms. Violet oon), for industry projects including Tasty singapore Culinary mission (TsCm, 2007) and World of Flavours (Culinary institute of america - WoF, 2007). she was also the design Consultant/studio director specialising in residential and commercial design projects. Clients include interface overseas Holdings inc. in Tokyo, Japan; miulan international swimwear Boutique Chain; gold Heart Jewellery, singTel and ministry of defence singapore, from 2000 to 2006. Prior to teaching full-time in LasaLLe, eilena was a adjunct Lecturer for interior design and retail & Hospitality design at LasaLLe College of the arts, Nanyang academy of Fine arts and Temasek Polytechnic.

Audrey Wong, Part-Time Lecturer, Nominated Members of Parliament (NMP) for the Arts and former Artistic Co-director at The Substation launched the Moving Images film programme with then-Artistic Director T. Sasitharan. She obtained an MA in arts administration from Goldsmiths College. Audrey has served on various committees, including doing “national service” with the Remaking Singapore project of 2003; she is also a founding member of Magdalena (singapore).

Marianne Teo, Part-time Lecturer, Arts Researcher

Shireen Seow, Part-time Lecturer, Arts Manager and Social Entrepreneur

Lawrence Bong, Part-time Lecturer, Financial Auditor

Ser Shaw Hong, Artist-In-Residence, Cultural Heritage

Circe Henestrosa Ellison, Lecturer & Programme Leader, Fashion Management

Dr Samuel Wong, Part-time Lecturer, Musician

Dr Don Bosco, Part-time Lecturer

Career Path:
Graduates from the programme will be able to take up leadership positions in the industry locally or internationally. equipped with an entrepreneurial mindset, graduates will also be able to make significant contributions to the development of the arts in policy-making for the public and private sectors, management of cultural institutions and organisations, and research and publications. some of the positions include:
  • Arts /Cultural Entrepreneur
  • Arts Manager
  • Gallery Manager
  • Museum/Arts Executive
  • Arts Writer/Critic
  • Arts Consultant
  • Arts Marketing/Public Relation Manager
  • Museum Curator
  • Exhibition Manager
  • Events/Festival Manager
  • Programming Manager