27755 Arts Organisations and Management

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject develops a critical appreciation of management practices and organisational forms in the arts and culture industries. It examines the impact of different modes of managing and creative problem solving. It creates an awareness of behavioural issues within arts organisations, including power, control, conflict, negotiation, decision making and strategic planning. It also addresses a range of contemporary issues which impact on managing within these organisations, including leadership, employment relations, cutback management, and corporatisation.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of arts organisations and their practices and problems.
2. Analyse organisational and behavioural problems in arts organisation.
3. Demonstrate an appreciation of strategic management problems and practices in arts organisations through case study analysis.
4. Develop and awareness of governance principles and ethical considerations for arts organisations.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides students with a critical understanding of management and organisational skills relevant to the context of arts management. It provides an appreciation of current and future managerial practices within the context of non-profit arts organisations. The subject also develops conceptual and problem solving skills, people management skills and strategic management skills through arts management case studies.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops using simulations, case study analysis and case study presentations. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Identifying the basis of management theories
• Understanding organisational structures
• Developing strategic thinking and strategic plans
• Team building, identifying leadership qualities
• Conflict resolution, negotiation skills
• Ethics, values, governance
• Decision-making in organisations
• Dynamics and management of change in organisations
• Human resource management, gender and difference in the workplace
• Job design and performance management

Assessment

The individual essay and strategic plan case study 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. Choice in topics encourages independent work for this assessment item.

Recommended text(s)

A student reader is prepared for this subject.

Indicative references

Byrnes, W.J. (2003), Management and the Arts, 3rd edition. Boston: Focal Press.

Dees, J.G., Emerson, J. & Economy, P. (eds.) (2002), Strategic Tools for Social Enterprises: Enhancing Performance of Your Enterprising Nonprofit. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

Moore, K. (ed.) (1999), Management in museums. London: Athelone Press.