27727 Event Creation Workshop

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject deals with the process of identifying, developing and implementing creative concepts for events, including the leadership of creative teams and the sourcing of suppliers. A practical component of the subject enables students to respond creatively to a brief for the conduct of an event, and to work in teams to plan and implement an event concept.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand and discuss the nature of creativity and the creative thinking process.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the role and importance of the event concept in achieving the goals and objectives of an event.
3. Identify, plan and develop a creative concept for an event.
4. Describe the role of creative teams and suppliers in implementing the event concept and show proficiency in managing creative teams.
5. Critically review the relationship between event objectives, creative briefs and the final creative response.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is a core subject for students in the Master of Management in Event Management. It is also relevant to students undertaking postgraduate programs in arts, sport and tourism. The subject deals with the process of identifying, developing and implementing creative concepts for events, including the leadership of creative teams and the sourcing of suppliers. A practical component of the course enables students to respond creatively to a brief for the conduct of an event, and to work in teams to plan and implement an event concept.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject involves a variety of teaching and learning activities, which may include: lectures, workshops, industry presentations, problem-solving exercises, field visits, and case studies. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• The event creation process
• The event brief
• 'Actors' in the event creation process
• Creative processes and techniques
• Developing event concepts: theming, design
• and programming
• Managing creative teams
• Case studies in event creation

Assessment

The individual essay and tutorial paper will be secure through a combination of continual revising of topics across semesters and multiple topic choice within each semester. Individuals are required to submit reference lists for their own work for each assessment task, which reduces the possibility for plagiarism. Choice in topics encourages independent work for this assessment item.

Recommended text(s)

A student reader will be prepared each semester.

Indicative references

Allen, J., O'Toole, W., McDonnell, I., & Harris, R. (2002), Festival and Special Event Management. Milton, Qld: John Wiley and Sons.

Harris, R. & Allen, J. (2002), Regional Event Management Handbook. University of Technology, Sydney: Australian Centre for Event Management.

Malouf, L. (1999), Behind the Scenes at Special Events. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Sawyer, K. (ed.) (1997), Creativity in performance. Greenwich, Conn.: Ablex.

Wiersma, E. (1996), Creative Event Development; a guide to strategic success in the world of special events. Indianapolis: Elizabeth A Wiersma.