27763 Arts and Cultural Policy

Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Postgraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject explores theoretical and conceptual frameworks within which to discuss and critically evaluate current and ongoing issues within the arts industry. It enables students to pursue their own research interests, which should be related to ongoing professional arts involvement, and supported through regular seminar participation. The field of cultural studies forms the basis of the subject's critical focus. The subject draws broadly upon sociology, social anthropology, political economy and post-structural theories with regard to art theory, and cultural formations. It encourages students to investigate a cultural object or form in relation to its audience. Content and format vary from year to year, depending on student interest.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

Understand the nature of 'policy', contexts and processes of policy making
Discuss and critically evaluate issues in arts and cultural policy
Explore theoretical and conceptual policy frameworks to analyse ongoing and current issues within the arts and cultural sector.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject offers the opportunity to explore selected issues in relation to arts and cultural policy in depth. It is designed for Master degree students in the Arts Management area and MBA students specialising in arts management. The subject draws broadly upon sociology, social anthropology and concepts of cultural economy to explore cultural production and consumption.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students are expected to take the greatest responsibility for their own learning in this subject. Seminar sessions provide a forum for discussion and debate, and an opportunity to gain feedback on research interests. Students will meet weekly in a seminar sessions. The first four weeks will involve lectures and readings that follow a nominated path, investigating broad themes relating to arts and cultural policy. Readings will be discussed in depth, guided by a series of weekly question/discussion points. The remaining eight weeks will involve students leading the seminar sessions with the presentation of a discussion paper at 'draft' stage. Each seminar paper should be available for distribution to students in the week prior, so as to allow time for reflective reading and preparation of questions.

Content

Policy formulation in relation to the arts
Measuring the value of arts and cultural products and services
Political context of arts policy formulation
Sustaining the arts as Industry
Specific areas of policy interest developed by student enquiry.

Assessment

Seminar Presentation and Draft Paper (Individual)	50%
The presentations and draft paper should deal with the nature of the arts/cultural policy development and implementation process in a specific context. This addresses objectives 1-3.
Report (Individual)	50%
It should involve the use of theoretical and conceptual policy frameworks to analyse a current issue within the arts and cultural sector and present the final research from the presentation and draft stages, following critical feedback from the lecturer and class discussion. This addresses objectives 1-3.

Recommended text(s)

Book of Readings

Indicative references

Bridgman, P. and Davis, G. (2000), The Australian policy handbook, 2nd ed Allen and Unwin, St Leonards

Burton, C. (2000), 'As time goes by: changes in time usage, perceived stress and leisure choices', R. Lynch, et al Leisure and Change: implications for museums in the 21st century UTS Sydney

Craik, J, Davis, G. and Sunderland, N. (2000), 'Cultural policy and national identity', in G. Davis and M. Keating (eds.), The future of governance, Allen and Unwin, St Leonards, pp.177-202.