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Arts Management (Foundation Degree)
What makes the best arts managers stand out? Like every other successful manager in business, they need the confidence and acumen to run a flourishing enterprise, to plan and negotiate, take risks and make key decisions. They also need the people skills to make and develop a huge variety of relationships with an array of stakeholders; lastly, and what sets arts managers apart from other managers, is their passion for the arts.
For more information about this course please visit the School of Music and Performing Arts website.
The Foundation Degree (FdA) in Arts Management is based at our Newton Park campus within the School of Music and Performing Arts, with parts of the curriculum delivered by Business and Management colleagues from the School of Science, Society and Management. There will also be many guest speakers from the industry willing to share the lessons of their experience.
The programme takes advantage of the recent opening of the University Theatre which, together with the Michael Tippett Centre concert hall, offers an 'arts infrastructure' to provide you with genuine opportunities for authentic, contextualised and entrepreneurial learning in arts management. It is framed by Bath Spa Live, a high profile and busy operation run by experienced arts managers.
Much of your learning will take place 'on the job' - you might find yourself part of a front-of-house team, running box offices or hospitality events; creating and implementing marketing and promotion campaigns; liaising with the press and media; developing fund raising campaigns; constructing and running a national tours with rock bands or dance companies; managing orchestras and ensembles; programming cabaret nights; using the arts to tackle issues in the local community and schools; overseeing the smooth running of Edinburgh Fringe Festival venue; or looking at the feasibility of taking the University's theatre company to America.
With such a vast range of work in music, dance and drama being created in the University, you will not only be able to follow your own enthusiasms, but also to investigate areas of the arts new to you. As the course progresses you will take on an increasing level of responsibility, which will enable you to initiate projects and realise your own artistic vision, acting very much as a producer.
Course Structure and Content
There are three elements to the Foundation Degree (FdA). Firstly, you will learn more about the management of the arts - how they operate as a business and their unique features and challenges. Secondly you will develop the practical skills to work within this sector, a personal toolkit of learning, tried and tested through practice. And lastly, you will learn to manage risk and complexity, people and arts forms through hands on, real life arts management experience.
In Year 1, through two 'Bath Spa Live' modules, you will undertake on-the-job training in a range of arts management functions. At the same time, 'Skills For Arts Managers' modules equip you with a range of valuable media, IT and marketing skills whilst, through a series of 'The Arts Business' modules, you explore the external and internal factors that shape and characterise an 'arts business'.
In Year 2, students take increasing responsibility both within the Bath Spa Live team and for particular projects initiated and developed by them. In 'The Business of Culture' you will explore the current key debates within the arts and culture. As well as developing valuable, subject-specific knowledge and experience, students will cultivate a broad range of 'transferable' skills in negotiation, presentation, fund raising, project management, report writing, communications, teamwork and problem-solving.
On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, you can apply for a 'top-up' qualification to a full BA (Hons) degree (subject to approval) at our Newton Park campus. Entry to Year 3 is by interview and is normally restricted to applicants who have completed the Foundation Degree in full.
Modules
- Skills For Arts Managers;
- The Arts Business;
- The Business of Culture
- Production Projects.
Teaching Methods and Resources
Particular emphasis is placed on project and production work (through the Bath Spa Live framework) though students also participate in skills-based workshops and investigate management issues through problems-based learning, case studies and exercises. The course is taught by arts practitioners, as well as highly experienced staff from Business and Management.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is largely by coursework including presentations, evaluations, group projects, individual reports and practical portfolios.
Entry Requirements
160-200 UCAS Tariff points (eg BC; CD+AS c) plus a demonstrable interest and experience in some aspect of arts management.
Alternative qualifications welcome.