Arts & Cultural Management

Programme Information

Duration: 1.5 years (3 semesters)

Award: Master of Arts Arts & Cultural Management

Mode: Full-time. Classes will be conducted in evening mode.

Intake: January 2013 Intake

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.

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.

Modules

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 utilise 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.

Faculty Members

Audrey Wong, Programme Leader

Audrey Wong holds an MA in English from the National University of Singapore and an MA in Arts Administration & Cultural Policy from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She was artistic co-director at The Substation from 2000 till early 2010, but has worked at The Substation in other capacities since 1996, including starting the Moving Images film programme in 1997. With co- director Lee Weng Choy, she launched The Substation's Associate Artists programme in 2003 to help local artists sustain their practice. Audrey has curated and organised festivals, exhibitions, theatre productions and artists' exchanges. In 2003, she co-founded Magdalena (Singapore), a group of women theatre practitioners who organised Singapore's first women's contemporary theatre festival in 2006. She has an interest in nurturing emerging artists, contemporary theatre, and audience development, and has taught workshops for teachers and secondary students.

She has been teaching in the MA Arts and Cultural Management Programme at LASALLE since its inception, and was also an adjunct lecturer at the Theatre Studies programme at the National University of Singapore from 2001 - 2003. She is a board member of the Singapore Art Museum. Last year, she was nominated by the arts community for a Nominated Member of Parliament post, and was appointed an NMP in July 2009. As part of her NMP work, she is currently researching the living and working conditions of freelance and independent artists in the arts and broadcast sectors in Singapore. This is complemented by her role at LASALLE overseeing the research cluster of modules for both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Arts Management.

Professor William Byrnes, Visiting Professor, 2010

Professor William Byrnes brings an extensive background in academic administration, management, teaching, and leadership to his current role as Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies at Southern Utah University. He teaches seminars in board relations and strategic planning, fundraising and grant writing, economics and financial management, and leadership and organisational development. His textbook, "Management and the Arts", now in its fourth edition, is widely used in arts and culture management courses throughout the world. In March 2010, Professor Byrnes was a visiting professor with the MA Arts and Cultural Management programme at LASALLE College of the Arts.

Entry Requirements

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

• A degree in Arts Management, Arts or equivalent from a recognised institution;
• Minimum 2 years of relevant working experience in a related field or at least 4 years of working experience in a non-related field;
• Well-established professionals from other fields who wish to transfer to the cultural sector must demonstrate a commitment to the arts or heritage;
• A satisfactory score in written and spoken English OR a minimum of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 for applicants from countries where English is not the first language or whose qualifications are obtained from institutions where English is not the medium of instruction;
• Curriculum Vitae (indicating training / experience in the arts and / or volunteer experience);
• Two letters of recommendation: one professional, one academic;
  
• Application Assignments
  

Research Proposal

A Research Proposal of 800-1000 words on a specific area in the field of Arts and Cultural Management that the applicant would like to pursue during the course of study that will culminate in a thesis. The research proposal should be word processed, using Arial 11-pt font on double spacing. It should contain the comprising:

• A self-explanatory title;
• A background of the proposed research topic;
• The rationale and objective of the research area;
• The significance of the proposed research area;
• A brief explanation of how the research will be conducted

Pleases submit your Research Proposal as a .doc or .pdf file only in the format prescribed.

Personal Statement

A 500 words personal statement indicating why the applicant wish to pursue a career in Arts Management, what led him/ her to this point and what makes him/ her a good candidate for admission into the programme.

Programme Information

Duration: 1.5 years (3 semesters)

Award: Master of Arts Asian Art Histories

Mode: Full-time. Classes will be conducted in evening mode.

Intake: August 2012 intake & January 2013 Intake

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.

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.

Modules

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 utilise 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.

Faculty Members

Audrey Wong, Programme Leader

Audrey Wong holds an MA in English from the National University of Singapore and an MA in Arts Administration & Cultural Policy from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She was artistic co-director at The Substation from 2000 till early 2010, but has worked at The Substation in other capacities since 1996, including starting the Moving Images film programme in 1997. With co- director Lee Weng Choy, she launched The Substation's Associate Artists programme in 2003 to help local artists sustain their practice. Audrey has curated and organised festivals, exhibitions, theatre productions and artists' exchanges. In 2003, she co-founded Magdalena (Singapore), a group of women theatre practitioners who organised Singapore's first women's contemporary theatre festival in 2006. She has an interest in nurturing emerging artists, contemporary theatre, and audience development, and has taught workshops for teachers and secondary students.

She has been teaching in the MA Arts and Cultural Management Programme at LASALLE since its inception, and was also an adjunct lecturer at the Theatre Studies programme at the National University of Singapore from 2001 - 2003. She is a board member of the Singapore Art Museum. Last year, she was nominated by the arts community for a Nominated Member of Parliament post, and was appointed an NMP in July 2009. As part of her NMP work, she is currently researching the living and working conditions of freelance and independent artists in the arts and broadcast sectors in Singapore. This is complemented by her role at LASALLE overseeing the research cluster of modules for both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Arts Management.

Professor William Byrnes, Visiting Professor, 2010

Professor William Byrnes brings an extensive background in academic administration, management, teaching, and leadership to his current role as Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies at Southern Utah University. He teaches seminars in board relations and strategic planning, fundraising and grant writing, economics and financial management, and leadership and organisational development. His textbook, "Management and the Arts", now in its fourth edition, is widely used in arts and culture management courses throughout the world. In March 2010, Professor Byrnes was a visiting professor with the MA Arts and Cultural Management programme at LASALLE College of the Arts.

Entry Requirements

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

• A degree in Arts Management, Arts or equivalent from a recognised institution;
• Minimum 2 years of relevant working experience in a related field or at least 4 years of working experience in a non-related field;
• Well-established professionals from other fields who wish to transfer to the cultural sector must demonstrate a commitment to the arts or heritage;
• A satisfactory score in written and spoken English OR a minimum of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 for applicants from countries where English is not the first language or whose qualifications are obtained from institutions where English is not the medium of instruction;
• Curriculum Vitae (indicating training / experience in the arts and / or volunteer experience);
• Two letters of recommendation: one professional, one academic;
  
• Application Assignments
  

Research Proposal

A Research Proposal of 800-1000 words on a specific area in the field of Arts and Cultural Management that the applicant would like to pursue during the course of study that will culminate in a thesis. The research proposal should be word processed, using Arial 11-pt font on double spacing. It should contain the comprising:

• A self-explanatory title;
• A background of the proposed research topic;
• The rationale and objective of the research area;
• The significance of the proposed research area;
• A brief explanation of how the research will be conducted

Pleases submit your Research Proposal as a .doc or .pdf file only in the format prescribed.

Personal Statement

A 500 words personal statement indicating why the applicant wish to pursue a career in Arts Management, what led him/ her to this point and what makes him/ her a good candidate for admission into the programme.