27753 Arts and Cultural Industries

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

The central premise of this subject is that art is a social product. This challenges romantic and mystical notions that represent art as 'above' society, as transcending social and historical forces. In arguing against these idealist notions, this subject explores how social, political and economic factors distinguish art from a wide range of regulated cultural practices. The specific focus is on the structures of arts organisations and policy in Australia. Particular issues considered include the politics and history of public support for the arts, the formation of audiences and publics, the economic impact of the arts, the interaction of the public and private sectors and theories of culture and art.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. Analyse how the arts in Australia are shaped by historical, cultural, economic and political forces.
2. Understand the organisation of the arts industry with particular emphasis on: the complex interaction of the public and private sectors; the politics of public subsidy and private funding sources; the formation of diverse audiences; the economic and social impact of the arts; the responsibilities of different levels of government; and the structures of cultural policy.
3. Apply a political/social/economic framework for the analysis of cultural industries within Australia.

Contribution to graduate profile

The subject aim is to critically analyse the cultural, economic and political environment of the arts in order to establish a context for management studies and practice. The subject draws on students' knowledge and experience of the arts as managers, producers or consumers. It encourages critical reflection on this experience through an exploration of key theorists and current debates.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is taught using lectures involving relevant case studies, discussion of readings and guest speakers, followed by student presentations. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• The changing meanings of 'the arts' in historical and economic context
• The emergence of extended government intervention in the late 1960s, focussing on public debates on government responsibility for the arts; models of state involvement; the practice of patronage; government support as protection for the arts industry; the impact of subsidy on the economic organisation of arts institutions
• The impact of government: equity, access and participation; increases in funding; institutional restructures; the development of pluralistic definitions for art and culture; new forms of patronage and entrepreneurship; the construction of new and diverse audiences and constituencies
• The political economy of culture industries: arts organisations and the rapid growth of public and mass cultural distribution; measuring the value of arts and cultural products and services; audiences for the arts; the economic impact of the arts
• New technologies; patterns of globalisation of culture; maintaining indigenous and local cultural forms
• Culture diversity; communities of interest and public art
• Sectors within the arts and cultural industries: museums and galleries; regional cultural organisation; performing arts; arts festivals and events
• Audiences, audience formation, characteristics and motivation; the distribution of cultural capital; strategies for extending audiences for increased access and participation
• Key issues in current arts organisation; corporate sponsorship; entrepreneurial activity; cultural convergence; the relationship of the arts to other areas of economic development

Assessment

The essay and paper based on seminar presentation 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. The presentation is individually assessed by the instructor, thus ensuring consistent grading and protection against plagiarism.

Recommended text(s)

A student reader is prepared for this subject.

Indicative references

Bennett, T. & Carter, D. (eds) (2001), Culture in Australia: policies, publics and programs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Gibson, L. (2001), The uses of art: constructing Australian identities. Griffith University, Brisbane: Australian Key Centre for Cultural and Policy media.

Rentschler, R. (2002), The Entrepreneurial Arts Leader: Cultural Policy, Change and Reinvention. Brisbane: University of Queensland Press.

Stevenson, D. (2000), Art and Organisation: Making Australian Cultural Policy. St Lucia, Qld: University of Queensland Press.

Throsby, D. (2000), Economics and culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.