Arts Management

History and Contextual Studies: Foundation (15 CU) 
What is art? How do we – or should we – distinguish between high art and low art, popular culture and high culture? In this foundational course, you will be introduced to basic theories in aesthetics, and examine the meaning of art specifically in the context of Southeast Asia, as well as other parts of Asia and the West, as appropriate. We will investigate the question of what is art in the Southeast Asian context, and examine how societies and communities have responded to particular art forms through time, and consider the forces that have shaped these forms and influence artistic practice. Through this process, you will develop a framework of critical approaches towards the arts. The class will include at least 1 to 2 visits to art museums and performances.

Principles of Arts Management 1A (15 CU) 
This module is aimed at developing your understanding of arts management as an interdisciplinary field, approaching it holistically through a model that integrates the understanding of the art ecosystems, roles of art in society, the aesthetic contract, basic principles of general management, the relationship between management and the arts, marketing and the arts, arts and participation, and the specificities of arts/cultural organisations.

You will be introduced to the planning and decision-making process, management styles and models, basic principles of arts organisations, and the creative dimensions of arts management. Some of the key terms connected to the field of arts management will be introduced and explained (arts, entertainment, creative and cultural industries, etc.). Roles of arts managers in the overall process of art creation, as well as current issues and hot topics in the field in local, regional and international contexts will be discussed.

You will be assessed through a written exam.

Visual and Performing Arts Management Practice 1A (15 CU)
As part of your practice-based learning, you will study various methods and techniques used in the business of presenting performing and visual arts. Delivered through a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on workshops, the module will comprise of two streams: The study of technical theatre arts and docent training.

In technical theatre arts, you will develop a working knowledge of back-of-house management, production and stage management, and front-of-house management. In docent training, you will acquire an understanding of how museums and galleries work with docents, and develop skills to engage effectively with audiences. You will have direct experience with docents in a museum. The course culminates with a tour presentation of your own design in a museum.

This is a more practice-based module where you will have the opportunity to apply and reflect on what you have learnt. The skills that you acquire through this module will be immediately applicable to work placements at various events, exhibitions and productions throughout the year, both on and off campus.

Introduction to Academic Skills (15 CU)
This module introduces you to the basic skills of writing for academic purposes, including analysing, referencing and citation. You will also learn proposal writing skills in relation to the various funding bodies for the arts in Singapore. Working closely with the library, foundational skills will be developed and augmented over the three years in the various modules you undertake.

History and Contextual Studies: Materials, Methods, History (15 CU)
This module expands the story of art beyond the region, and you will be introduced to the historical development of dance, theatre, music, literature and the visual arts. Attention will be paid to materials and techniques in the construction of these forms, as well as key movements and styles as defined in Western and Asian traditions. You will learn to recognise the influences in the shaping of art forms, and in turn, begin to examine the role art plays in society. In addition to historical contexts and formalistic considerations, you will also critically assess how different art forms are presented, and the role of curators and programmers.

Principles of Arts Management 1B (15 CU)
This module is aimed at increasing your awareness of the role of the arts manager in the growth and development of the arts. You will be introduced to principles of management and how these have shaped the discipline of modern arts management.

In the Project Management for the Arts component, you will learn the basic notions of project management for the arts, and practice various elements of project management, such as project needs assessment, target group and working with various stakeholders, identification and development of alternatives, action planning, scheduling, risk assessment, project components, and key performance indicators. You will also study and workshop different approaches to project team development. You will also learn the various forms of business writing for arts management, as well as basics in business communication skills. You will gain practice in writing skills for minutes, letters, reports, project proposals, and learn to adopt the appropriate tone in various forms of business communication. 

In Accounting in the Arts, you will be taught the basics of accounting, and will learn about profit and loss statements, budgeting, income statements, balance sheets and cashflow management.

At the end of each course, you will make a seminar presentation and take a written exam respectively, which will be assessed.

Visual and Performing Arts Management Practice 1B (15 CU)
This module is aimed at increasing your awareness of the role of the arts manager in the growth and development of the arts.

In Arts Marketing and Audience Development, you will be given an overview of the Principles of Marketing, such as the marketing process and mix, consumer behavior, marketing communications, market research and positioning for competitive advantage. You will gain an understanding of how this relates to the arts industry and its practical applications. By tapping into market research, you will also develop proposals on how to engage and nurture audiences for the arts.

In Arts Placements, you will be attached to work on various on- and off-campus art events, exhibitions, productions and festivals that will give you hands-on and real-life experiences working with various artists, art practitioners, arts managers and art communities and organisations.

At the end of each course, you will propose a marketing project and make a seminar presentation respectively, which will be assessed.

Communication Studies (15 CU)
This module introduces you to the general theories of communication that affect the social, technological and cultural spheres in which the arts operate.

You will understand forms of communication, media and culture as they have emerged historically, and appreciate the processes through which they have come into being. You will learn how to apply discourse and semiotic analysis, as well as principles of argumentation. You will engage in the discussions about the role of art in oral, literate and electronic societies, relations between visual communication and social advocacy, as well as intercultural dialogue and the arts.

Working closely with collaborators from the fields of art therapy and acting, you will be guided through the psychodrama, storytelling and viewpoints method workshops, which will help you to develop deeper understanding of different approaches to communications skills.

You will be assessed through a written paper and a presentation.

History and Contextual Studies: Themes and Topics (15 CU)
This module covers a thematic and topical discussion of the various roles played by artists and the arts in society. You will exercise critical thinking and analytical skills, as you examine specific topics in relation to the arts, and focus on case studies situated mainly in Singapore and the region. Topics and themes include post-colonial orientations, issues of migration and cross-cultural influences, art as ideology, and more. We will consider the consumption of art in the twenty-first century, and look at how artists play a role in the context of globalisation, a neoliberal economy and the rise of the creative industries.

Principles of Arts Management 2 (30 CU)
This module will further expand your knowledge of management theories and analyse their application to arts management. You will gain invaluable lessons from theories in Financial Management, Entrepreneurship and Audience Engagement, and apply these concepts in your management of arts projects.

In Managing Financial Resources in the Arts, you will study key areas related to finance, and how to manage and sustain the financial health and viability of an arts space, arts organisation or arts programme. Drawing on the knowledge you have gained in accounting principles, you will familiarise yourself with financial statements (profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow statement), budgets and sources of funding.

In Strategic Approaches to Audience Engagement, you will be introduced to creative and innovative managerial practices in audience building, drawing on cases from both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. You will study market trends in the arts, identify current and emerging audiences, and develop new products or services to engage these audiences using various marketing strategies.

Your assessment will entail conducting market research on arts audiences and applying this knowledge in the creation of a sponsorship plan.

Visual and Performing Arts Management Practice 2A (15 CU)
This module will focus on the aspects of managing different types of art events, as well as issues of management of venues for art events. Skills and knowledge will be imparted in specific areas such as conceptualisation, design, logistics, technical production, marketing and risk assessment of the events, through case studies, visits and structured observation research tasks. You will also learn how to work directly with artists by understanding their needs and artistic ideas. You will learn how to understand their profile, narratives and needs, and be able to design a platform that is able to connect them with their potential audience. This module will also equip you with basic IT & Design skills that can help you with basic graphic and web design, as well as help you to understand the communication processes in the world of design. 

Areas that will be covered include IT & Design Skills, Artist Management and Events Management.

You will work on one project and make a group seminar presentation at the end of this module.

Arts Projects (20 CU)
This module requires you to undertake a practical project (an exhibition, a workshop, a production, a festival, etc.) from research, conceptualisation, proposal writing and feasibility studies, to administrative and operational management, curation, implementation and final evaluation. You will be introduced to the structure, programming, collection management and curatorial aspects of modern museums, galleries and international art shows. You will learn how an exhibition is managed, from making curatorial decisions to doing the installation. You may also be introduced to issues and practices of programming for the performing arts, venue management and events management.

Drawing on the knowledge and skills you have gained in all modules in Level 1, especially from Principles of Arts Management and Visual and Performing Arts Management Practice modules, you will be attached to LASALLE-produced and/or externally produced arts projects to conceptualise, plan and actualise, as well as to evaluate and reflect on the process in managing them.

Interdisciplinary Project
Interdisciplinarity is a key principle of a LASALLE arts education. Exploration of interdisciplinarity in your creative practice will provide you with the platform to work across disciplinary boundaries, and explore new ways of developing ideas, concepts and practices.

In this module, you will be required to undertake an interdisciplinary project. You will have the opportunity to work with team members from different programmes and disciplines on a common project brief. As a team, you will learn to integrate knowledge and skills from various disciplines to produce new insights and/or outcomes.

Visual and Performing Arts Management Practice 2B: Electives (20 CU)
This module will allow you to embark on a more focused study of a preferred area of the arts. You will have the option of two out of four elective courses to choose from, each focuses on an area of the arts and creative/cultural industries that is prominent in Singapore and in the region, as well as areas of study found to be of proven interest to students.

Each course will include site visits and/or direct engagement with professionals in the field. Learning through a combination of lectures, discussions and hands-on activities, you will develop a more advanced understanding of specific aspects of the industry.

In Exhibition and Gallery Management, you will be introduced to the programming and curatorial aspects of galleries and international art shows, as well as the process of mounting an exhibition from start to finish. In Festival Management, you will be introduced to the issues and practices of programming, and running festivals in the local and international context. In Music Management, you will learn the basics of the music business, both contemporary and popular, as well as be introduced to the organisational structure and management requirements of traditional and classical orchestras and companies. In Heritage Management, you will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of the heritage field, discerning the complex issues involved in the preservation of both tangible and intangible culture, and learn how to work with communities.

The four elective course options are:

• Gallery and Exhibition Management
• Music Management
• Heritage Management
• Festival Management 

Research and Writing Skills (20 CU)
This module builds on the principles gained from history and contextual studies, where you will acquire and develop a varied set of writing skills critical to an arts manager. Two broad areas will be covered in this module: Art Criticism as well as Art Research and Writing. You will learn to write critical reviews, previews, commentaries and press releases on the arts. You will also learn techniques that will assist in your research in the arts.

Student Exchange Elective (60 CU)
This module gives you the opportunity to explore fresh perspectives and alternative approaches to your creative discipline, by undertaking a semester-long international learning exchange in another institution. The aim of the module is to provide interested students an opportunity to enrich their learning journey, enhance their creative practice, learn from a socio-culturally different educational setting, and be exposed to new cultural and creative industries.

Please note that this is an elective module. Students who undertake this module will not be required to take additional modules.

In this module, you will spend a semester studying in a cognate programme or a selection of relevant modules at one of LASALLE’s partner institutions. You will also be expected to be an independent learner to relate and integrate the experience, knowledge and skills acquired to the assessments required for this module. Through this international experience, you will be able to strengthen your ability to adapt and react to changing trends and environment. You will build your capacity to contribute effectively as an active and informed local and global citizen, while broadening your network and enhancing your career prospects in the arts and creative industries. 

You are responsible for applying to this elective option through the College’s Division of Quality and Planning (Email: [email protected]) before Week 7 of Semester 1 . 

Your application for this elective module must be supported by your Programme Leader. You are expected to adhere to the regulations, guidelines and planned curriculum issued by the host institution. At the same time, you are expected to regularly update your assigned lecturer on the progress of your learning at the partner institution, and also seek guidance on the completion of the units of assessment for this module.

Arts Policy (20 CU)
This module introduces Arts Policy and cultural governance. Through an in-depth study of arts and cultural policies, governmental reports and cultural statistics, you will be analysing theories, concepts and policy implementations related to the arts. You will be studying the development of arts policies and discussing issues related to policy-making and cultural governance.

Industry and Community Engagement (20 CU)
This module is designed to enable you to broaden your knowledge of the cultural and creative industries by placing you, as a learning professional, within a professional work environment. The aim of the module is to help you develop work-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, prepare you to pursue opportunities in fields relating to your study, and expose you to a diverse set of professional trajectories. You will map your acquired skills, interests and aspirations against current (and future) opportunities in the cultural and creative industries, while putting to practice skills and knowledge gained in the classroom. You are required to attend various industry preparation workshops, such as resume-writing, interview skills, and etc., as part of this module.

In fulfilment of this module, you can choose one of the following options: 

Option A: Industry-based Internship(s)
You will independently source and apply for internship opportunities. You are required to identify your interest and career-trajectory. These opportunities should be in an organisation where the job functions are related to your discipline. 

The internship may be with a single organisation or an accumulation of short-term work with different companies, to accumulate the minimum 200 hours of on-the-job training. The internship may be spread across a number of days/weeks and need not be a full-time position. Where possible, you are encouraged to go beyond the minimum hours in order to showcase your talent and abilities, which will aid your quest for permanent employment and/or gain more opportunities to learn about the job and industry. 

All internships must be approved by the Programme Leader, prior to commencement, to align with learning aims and outcomes. 

Option B: Negotiated Projects
You will take a proactive and entrepreneurial approach to identify and create a niche for yourself, within the cultural and creative industries. You may undertake a combination of the following types of projects:

• Industry Live Project: You can source for an industry project, or this can be facilitated through the programme.
• Entrepreneurial Project: You may devise a business proposal and execute it. 
• Community Engagement Project: You can engage with a community of your preference, and develop and execute an initiative for them. 
• Short-term internship (about 100 hours)

To ensure that you fulfil the learning outcomes of this module, all proposals and short-term internship opportunities must be discussed and approved by the Programme Leader. 

Dissertation (40 CU)
This module is the culmination of the research and contextual knowledge that you have acquired during the course of your study. You will be required to undertake in-depth critical research, and present a coherent argument based on investigation and analysis. The chosen topic will be relevant to your main course of study, and will be used to support and inform your specialist practice. It will demonstrate your deep appreciation of your field, and competency of key approaches and methodologies to contextualise it.

You will demonstrate an ability to identify a research topic that is close to your practice or field of study through a clear literature review, and present relevant arguments and hypotheses in the written form of between 6,000 to 8,000 words.

Before commencing your dissertation, you will be required to develop a research proposal outline to demonstrate your research question and approach to completing the dissertation. You are expected to undertake a significant amount of independent and self-motivated research. You will be assigned a supervisor who will provide guidance in your research work. You will also be required to attend all dissertation-related classes.

Principles of Arts Management 3 (20 CU)
This module ntroduces you to the specific management perspectives of non-profit arts organisations. This will include legal frameworks in the management of the arts and leadership theories. In the leadership component, you will be introduced to various theories of leadership as applied in business contexts. You will analyse organisational structure, psychological behaviours and develop an understanding of how to lead teams in different contexts. You will also expand your knowledge of issues related to non-profit arts management and cultural leadership, and develop your skills of critical analysis.

When it comes to legal frameworks for the arts, you will gain knowledge and understanding of laws related to the arts, types of contracts important for the arts industry, as well as the concept and application of copyright (author's rights and other related rights).

Areas that will be covered include Arts Leadership and Non-profit Management, as well as Legal Frameworks for the Arts.

Strategic and Entrepreneurial Thinking for Arts Organisations (20 CU)
This module will help you to develop the knowledge and skills to write a business plan, as well as an understanding of social responsibilities and business ethics involved in setting up and running a business in the arts. It will also equip you with the knowledge of the strategic analysis of arts organisation, and give insights into organisation behaviour within the arts sector. Entrepreneurial spirit and the concept of entrepreneurship applied to arts/creative industries will also be explored and discussed.

Areas that will be covered include Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Business Planning, as well as Business Ethics.