Global Arts Management (Level 6 Top Up)

Build your understanding of key academic debates and develop your business and management skills within an international arts and cultural context.

You’ll gain the practical tools needed to lead in a wide range of cultural organisations, including theatres, music venues, galleries, museums, and festivals. You’ll explore how political and economic factors influence the development of cultural products and services at international, national, regional, and local levels. The flexible course structure allows you to tailor your learning and specialise in areas that reflect your interests.

As a student, you’ll have the chance to contribute to DMU’s high-profile Cultural eXchanges Festival. Organised by final-year Arts and Festivals Management students, the festival showcases the creativity of DMU, Leicester, and wider contemporary culture. From 2025, it will run in partnership with Leicester City Council as part of the city’s Riverside Festival.

This course prepares you for a career in the fast-moving cultural sector, where you’ll learn to apply management theory to promote creative products and bring artistic visions to life.

• Gain an honours degree in Global Arts Management in one year then go onto study Cultural Events Management MSc, gaining two degrees in two years. Many graduates have also gone on to pursue postgraduate studies in London and globally - including in Australia.

• Benefit from excellent links with leading organisations such as The Philharmonia Orchestra.

• Gain practical real-life experience by taking part in organisational and co-creative experiences to develop your understanding of arts management issues, as well as taking advantage of valuable networking opportunities.

Course Modules

Modules

Dissertation
The dissertation is an in-depth piece of original research that allows you to develop your own intellectual interests and abilities. The research area should be related to some aspect of Global Arts Management and should show evidence of research and originality. You will be supported by a series of lectures on research methodology and structuring a dissertation. These will take place during the first weeks of the term in order to ensure that you have the appropriate level of understanding of research methods in order to undertake your dissertation.

You will receive an allocation of tutorial time with an assigned tutor to support the development of your dissertation. You will be advised by your tutor about your research – reading and relevant organisations and individuals to visit and contact – and the writing of the final dissertation.

Block 2: Arts Management Studio
The overall aim of this module is to increase a general understanding of working as an arts manager in current, thriving arts organisations by utilising the richness of the local arts community within Leicester. You will explore theoretical frameworks for understanding the organisational workings of the arts alongside gaining practical consulting experience which will involve building relationships between partners, developing strategic creative aims, and providing actionable opportunities to work side by side an arts organisation. The main module component will include a consultancy-type project involving one of five arts pillars throughout Leicester – engaging organisations with missions and aims geared towards Performing Arts, Dance, Media, Theatre, and Festivals. Its hands on approach is designed to provide students with ‘in-organisation’ and co-creative experience to develop their understanding of arts management issues; with the direct effect of increasing engagement and partnerships with local arts organisations and businesses.

Block 3: International Cultural Policy
This module will provide you with a conceptual and historical overview of the emergence and development of public policies for arts and cultural provision in Britain, Europe and other international countries. Particular attention will be paid to developments in cultural policy-making in Britain since 1979. Theoretical issues and debates concerning the development of public cultural policies will be discussed. The module will also examine current contradictions and dilemmas in cultural policy and provision from a global perspective.

The module includes a focus on arts and cultural industries management and practice in other European and international countries. The assessment for this includes undertaking research remotely into another international country, with the opportunity to visit a major European city.

Block 4: Creative Enterprise in a Global Context
This module reflects the changing environment within the arts which places increased emphasis on entrepreneurial skills by requiring you to develop your own idea for a creative business in a global context. The module has a dynamic, interactive delivery that takes you through a series of creative workshops designed to help develop your ideas. You will gain an understanding of the qualities and characteristics that entrepreneurs exhibit, enabling you to create a business plan. Case studies drawn from a global context will be examined to aid you in understanding the elements required to launch a successful global creative business. Your business plan will consider international market segments, customer profiles, marketing strategies and financial planning.

https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate-courses/global-arts-management-top-up/global-arts-management-level-6-top-up-ba-hons.aspx#what-you-will-study

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Overview
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars, group work and self-directed study. There is also research trip to a major European city to meet with and learn from artists, cultural organisation and governmental bodies involved with cultural policy.

Assessment is tailored to the module contents and learning objectives and is predominantly coursework – essays, reports, critiques, finance exercises, case study analysis, presentations and a dissertation.

Contact hours
You will normally attend around 8 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 20 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.