Graduate Coursework

Master of Arts and Cultural Management

Course code: 175AA

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Domestic students
domestic
International students
international
Duration

2 years full time / 4 years part time

1 or 1.5 years full time (or part time equivalent) with relevant prior qualifications

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Mode (Location)
On campus (Parkville)
Intake

March, July

Key dates

Fees

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available

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Entry schemes

Access Melbourne is available

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Duration

2 years full time

1 or 1.5 years full time with relevant prior qualifications

Check entry points

Mode (Location)
On campus (Parkville)
Intake

March, July

Key dates

Fees

AUD $48,992 (2026 indicative first year fee)

Learn more

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5: with no band less than 6.0

View full entry requirements

CRICOS code
073305A
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Course structure

Overview

200 point program (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent)

This is our most popular program for those who have completed undergraduate study in any discipline.

150 point program (1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent)

This is for graduates who have completed undergraduate study in a relevant discipline.

100 point program (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent)

Capstone requirement

Capstone subject options must be completed in the final hundred points of the program. All students are required to complete one of the three available Capstone options for the program (at least 25 points). This requirement cannot be waived or replaced in any circumstances. For a full list of subjects, Capstones and detailed information, please view the Handbook entry for the course.

Understanding credit points

A 2-year program typically consists of 200 credit points.

A standard full-time study load is four subjects per semester, across two semesters per year (eight subjects per year), which equals 100 credit points per year.

Most subjects are worth 12.5 credit points*.

* Some subjects carry a heavier workload and may be worth more points.

View Handbook entry

Explore this course

Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this degree.

200 point program

2 years full time / 4 years part time

Foundation subjects

Students must complete four foundation elective subjects in the first 50 points of the program.

Art history

Accordion
Australian Art · 12.5 pts

This subject pivots on a series of provocations regarding art, identity and geography. It poses the question, one proposed to artist Bessie Davidson in the late nineteenth century: does art have a nationality? It interrogates settler/invader/colonial art and its persistence in the face of 65,000 years of continuous culture. Largely chronological in approach, and encompassing all Australian art traditions including First Nations art, this subject examines where Australian art happens, and introduces us to those who made it, and who continue to make it today. It examines historic and recent art histories including those written by Bernard Smith, Joan Kerr, Ian McLean and Rex Butler that argue for, and against, national art histories. In so-called Australia, can there even be a national art history, and if so, who gets to call it?

View detailed information in the Handbook

European Renaissance Art · 12.5 pts

The subject explores the art and culture of Renaissance Europe between 1300 and 1600, with a particular focus on Italy, France, and Spain. This is one of the most pivotal periods in the history of art, when many of our contemporary ideas about art and artists were coming into being.

Topics to be covered include the life and practice of individual artists, including such figures as Leonardo, Titian, and Holbein; the rise of art theory; collecting and the birth of the museum; and the role of power and desire in the making and reception of art. Readings include both Renaissance texts and contemporary art history and theory. Tutorials will examine issues related to a given week’s lecture, or focus on related and object-based teaching in University and Melbourne collections.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Nineteenth-Century European Art · 12.5 pts

What does nineteenth-century European art tell us about the society that made it and our world today? Radical social and cultural changes marked this period. Political upheavals, rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, a second scientific revolution, and the aggressive expansion of European imperial powers in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Caribbean reshaped society’s attitudes towards class, race, gender, nature, bodies, senses and emotions. These shifts have left a lasting impact that still reverberates today. Artists responded to these changes in multiple ways, defying the traditional approaches of the academy and creating new modes of representing the world. From Romanticism and Orientalism to Impressionism and the avantgardes of the late nineteenth century, artists’ shifting representations of social relations, the landscape, the human body, and sexual and gender identity fundamentally altered both the function of visual art and the role of the artist.

In this subject, students will explore how painting and sculpture of nineteenth-century Europe were instrumental in creating new identities and modes of being in and imaging the world amid the conditions of modernity and the emergence of industrial capitalism. Engaging with recent scholarship and artworks from the University of Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria, students will be encouraged to question and critique the ways in which art has the capacity to embody, reflect, and challenge the ideologies of its time.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Art Markets and Methods · 12.5 pts

This subject deals with the study of art markets through the examination of the materials, methods and production processes of art from the Renaissance to Contemporary art. The subject will consider the interrelationships between the creation of a work of art (methods), its economic value and its art market networks in which it passes. It will consider the primary and secondary markets for art, its cultural value (the value ascribed to the artist and work of art by collectors, curators and art museums over time) and its symbolic value (its overall importance, meaning and significance as a work of art). Topics in the subject are varied but will focus on certain key areas: development and reception of a work of art: cultural and artistic practices and making a work of art, the examinations of specific materials and techniques (the role of materials, mediums and the framing of a work of art), the determination of authenticity and value, and the mapping of the art markets within a global and culturally diverse framework.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Twentieth-Century Art: The Avant-Gardes · 12.5 pts

This subject examines avant-garde art of the 20th century. A variety of artistic theories, movements and artists will be considered, mainly from Europe and North America but also encompassing parts of East Asia and South America. The social, historical and theoretical context in which diverse avantgarde movements were formed will be studied using historical sources, including avant-garde manifestos, and contemporary theory. Students will become familiar with issues such as the nexus of art and politics, utopian models of art, the relationship between pre-WW1 historic avant-gardes and post-WW2 neo-avant-gardes, as well as the shifting ways in which theories of gender, race and sexuality informed artists' work.

The subject features object-based learning and assessment using works from the University of Melbourne’s Special Collections.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Arts of East Asia · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the mediums, genres, and vocabulary of pre-modern Chinese, Japanese, and Korean visual culture. Weekly lectures and tutorials will focus on either a specific medium (ink painting, calligraphy, ceramics, timber frame architecture, urban landscape, gardens) or a theme (tombs, Buddhism, Confucianism, genre painting, narrative painting) and through case studies, the political, social, and cultural factors that inform and shape works of art will be considered.

The objects and sites under consideration will sometimes raise historical questions about the impact of one tradition upon the others, allowing us to see East Asia as a culturally connected macroregion; in other cases, the lectures will bring together works that require us to think critically about how we analyse and interpret the history of artistic production. Ultimately, this subject will provide students a foundation and framework to consider the history of East Asian art, as well as the tools by which to consider the dimensions and character of the common narratives applied to this history.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Studying Contemporary Art Abroad · 25 pts

This subject is taught on location in two major art centres in Southeast Asia (Indonesia and Singapore) using social, political, economic, geographical and cultural effects of the respective arts centres as case studies of culture in action. Students will be introduced to the key institutional components of the art centres studied: this may include, as appropriate, urban and rural fabrics, museums, cultural sites, galleries, alternative spaces, biennales/triennials, archive centre, art magazines and studies, depending on the art centre. Students will study the history, context, display and consumption of art, allowing consideration of recent developments in museology, curatorship, arts policy and cultural tourism.

The subject develops a broad understanding of the historical and aesthetic characteristics of artworks produced during selected artistic periods. The subject draws attention to the varying contexts informing works of art, including the relationship between art and its methods of production and preservation, its encouragement with society and installation in museum and biennale settings, and other settings as appropriate. Students should develop a range of approaches to understanding art, from issues of censorship and art, to gender and sexual identity in art, art and politics, space and meaning. The subject provides students with a fundamental grounding in art history and art curatorship, and in the broader critical and analytical skills necessary for the study of art in later years. Students wishing to enroll in this subject must consult the notes below.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Art and Power in the Eighteenth Century · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the visual culture of Europe, Asia and the Americas in the long eighteenth century (1660–1815), from the reign of Louis XIV of France to the end of the Napoleonic wars. We will consider several significant centres of power in France, England, China, Anatolia, Mexico and the Holy Roman Empire to study how powerful political, religious, social and cultural factors shaped changes in the production, patronage and reception of images, objects and buildings. Through close study of artworks in local and international collections – including furniture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, textiles, prints and paintings – we will explore how artworks were deployed in the construction of social identity and the projection of power in the courts and cities of the eighteenth-century world.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Contemporary Aboriginal Art · 12.5 pts

Starting with the acrylics of the Western Desert (Papunya) and ending with the most recent developments in new media, the field of contemporary Aboriginal art will be surveyed. Issues such as copyright and appropriation, the art market, women’s art practice, curating and collection policy are debated in this subject and key works in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography are studied and discussed.

By the end of semester students should have a familiarity with the main issues concerning the interpretation of Aboriginal art in Australia and have a broad knowledge of the pictorial practices of prominent contemporary Aboriginal artists. Guest lectures by artists, academics and industry professionals, as well as visits to art galleries and museums, are a feature of this subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

English and Theatre Studies

Accordion
Literary Canons: Then and Now · 12.5 pts

How do we know what a great work of literature or theatre is? In this English and Theatre Studies subject, you will grapple with ideas about the value and status of literature. Is it possible to read a great work for both pleasure and critique? Which narratives become classics and why? Should reading edify, represent, entertain?

With peers, you will undertake detailed readings and viewings of influential plays, poems, novels, and essays from Early Modern England to contemporary Australia. We will critically engage with the framework of the literary canon, tracing its origins in eighteenth-century essay culture, and its consolidation in contemporary culture. You will gain an understanding of canon as a hotly contested container for values, tastes, and traditions, subject to radical reorganisation and revaluation with time.

Our encounters with voices from the past will provide a foundation for you to engage in critical and cultural debates about literature in today’s world. You will have the opportunity in this subject to explore these debates through class discussions and assessment, while honing your academic skills to set you up for success in your degree.

Literary Canons: Then and Now is available as a Bachelor of Arts Discovery subject, supporting your introduction to university and fostering connections within your course. If you are taking this as your Discovery subject, you will need to concurrently complete the three compulsory Joining Melbourne modules.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Modern and Contemporary Theatre · 12.5 pts

This subject explores the questions animating the major movements in 20th- and 21st-century theatre and performance. What does it mean to try to represent the world “as it really is”? Should the theatre entertain, educate, incite, reassure? How should it do these things? The diverse ways in which solutions to these problems have been pursued inform its conception and reception in any given historical context. We will examine key texts and practices in theatre and performance from the last 150 years, with particular attention paid to the ways in which theatre and performance has chosen (or been compelled) to respond to shifting social, political, and economic dynamics. While the syllabus is primarily organised chronologically, we will place equal emphasis on tracing themes and “problems” as they resurface in disparate geographical locations and historical periods.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Literature, Adaptation, Media · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the art and politics of adaptation through a postcolonial lens. Moving beyond adaptation as merely the transformation of a story from one media to another, we will examine postcolonial rewritings of classic Western literary texts as well as adaptations of key postcolonial novels, drama and political writings into film, graphic novel, documentary form, and more. Throughout, we will consider how practices of postcolonial adaptation grapple with imperial knowledge forms, generate new meanings for new audiences, and raise critical questions around imitation, appropriation, cultural exchange, translation and genre.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Shakespeare in Performance · 12.5 pts

This subject investigates the adaptation of Shakespeare’s drama from page to stage and beyond. It will introduce Shakespeare in historical and contemporary eras, in western and non-western sites of criticism and performance, including avant-garde and postmodern contexts for Shakespeare and Shakespearean adaptation in film and television. The subject will examine Shakespeare’s canon and key literary perspectives, including discussion of Shakespeare’s plays in relation to issues of cultural politics and power.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Theatre Experience · 12.5 pts

This subject is for students across the university interested in understanding and appreciating theatre, an ancient art form that enjoys continuing popularity in many modern societies, including Australia. Drawing on a range of local and international examples from mainstream and experimental performance styles, we examine what is distinctive about the theatre experience, and what it can tell us about the place and times we live in.

Students new to theatre should gain some insight into why it remains such a vital art form, as well as a firm grounding in theatre appreciation that will serve them well long after the subject is over. More experienced theatre-goers will find the subject’s approach to the fundamentals of the form a refreshing and provocative basis for deeper understanding and further study. In order to achieve these goals, the subject is divided into three parts. Part One identifies theatre’s unique qualities. Part Two explores how to analyse them. Part Three considers theatre in society. Seminar discussions will draw on plays, critical writings and performance recordings, while also making the most of Melbourne’s own vibrant theatre scene.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Performance and the World · 12.5 pts

Performance is everywhere. We encounter it not only on stage, but in public spaces, on our devices, in everyday life – and in the mirror. It is used for entertainment, invention, provocation and profit, often at the same time. In this subject, we apply a Theatre Studies approach to a diverse and fascinating range of artistic events and cultural practices to help us think critically and appreciatively about how performance both shows and shapes the world around us. Among other topics, we consider how intercultural performances stage cultural difference; how activists use performance to bring about social change; and how artists use experimentation to challenge what audiences think they know about history, memory, the body, identity and our relationships with technology and the non-human world. Reflecting the varieties of performance studied, class activities and assessments combine critical and creative thinking in ways that are original, interesting and fun.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Music

Accordion
Musics of the World · 12.5 pts

The subject provides an introduction to understanding the relationship between music-making and social organisation in cross-cultural perspective.

It presents case studies of traditional and contemporary music-making from different geographic areas, including Indigenous Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Business of Music · 12.5 pts

This subject has been designed and developed for online delivery and assessment only.

This subject introduces the business practices of the music industry.

Aspects of copyright, marketing, law, management, contracts, sales, distribution, ownership, and merchandising will be examined in relation to areas such as touring, recording deals, digital streaming, live performance, music placement in film, TV, sport and advertising, video clips and video games.

This subject is delivered online as a lecture featuring high-level music industry guests illuminating the fundamentals of the music industry.

Each lecture will be assessed by weekly on-line quizzes and students will select one topic for specialisation for the final assignment.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Ethnography of Music · 12.5 pts

This subject teaches students to conceptualise and undertake an ethnographic research project on music-making in the contemporary world.

Through in-class activities, students learn to make field notes, engage in participant-observation, conduct interviews, and use performance as a research tool. Through weekly readings, students learn to assess and navigate ethical issues related to research and writing about musicians and listeners.

The subject is especially designed for students considering honours or graduate research in music.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Music History 3: 20th & 21st Centuries · 12.5 pts

This subject examines music-making in the European art music tradition during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in its social, cultural and historical contexts. By examining musical works, historical documents, and modern scholarship, students explore both the development of new musical styles as well as the reimagination of older styles.

In-class discussions, quizzes, and exercises support students as they examine how post-WWI institutions, discourses and technologies have reshaped the lives of musicians and listeners, with a particular focus on the overlapping political-economic contexts of capitalism, liberalism and globalisation.

Students use primary and secondary sources to complete an original research essay on a topic related to music-making in post-Federation Australia, reflexively situating their own creative practice within the discipline.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Business/Economics/Commerce

Accordion
Principles of Management · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the key concepts of management. Four domains of management are explored: self, others, organisations and eco-systems. Managing self includes topics such as personal motivation, creativity and purpose. Managing others looks at working in teams, conflict, diversity and leadership. Managing organisations explores the role of firms, the creation of new businesses, the pursuit of competitive advantage, and the role of social purpose. Managing eco-systems includes topics such as value chains, innovation and stakeholder management. Students will be introduced to management theory, research and case studies that will develop their ability to manage complex real-world business problems, and to create a workplace where people can thrive.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Organisational Behaviour · 12.5 pts

This subject will provide an introduction to basic individual and group processes, as they affect people in organisations. Major theories and models in key areas of organisational behaviour will be examined; including group dynamics, motivation, ethics, culture, communication, conflict, power and change management. Tutorials will emphasise the application of theories, through the use of exercises and case studies.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Managing People at Work · 12.5 pts

A central challenge in one’s career is managing relationships with others both within and beyond the workplace. This subject explores various human resource management policies and practices including job design, recruitment and selection, reward systems, and performance management. A key focus is understanding the implications of these practices for being managed, and for career development and planning. In addition, this subject explores relationship management with clients, suppliers and partners and the role of effective communication, leadership and stakeholder management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Managing in Contemporary Organisations · 12.5 pts

This subject will examine the management of contemporary organisations with a particular emphasis on understanding link between theory and practice. Subject content will include an introduction to a broad set of perspectives relating to how organizations are managed today, such as, technology, innovation, strategy, design, structure, culture, and change. By focussing on case studies students will gain insight on the importance of theory for providing solutions to typical organizational problems.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Managing Strategic Change · 12.5 pts

This subject explores different models of strategy making and examines some of the difficulties involved in managing strategic change. Traditional models see strategy making as a straightforward, rational, 'top-down' process. Empirical work shows, however, that the formulation and implementation of strategies is a complex process, which is affected by political, cognitive, and contextual factors. Top managers can formulate a detailed strategic plan; but plans are not always put into practice nor are the plans that are put into practice necessarily successful. The subject commences by reviewing traditional models of strategy making where strategies are formed to derive a competitive advantage that enables the organisation to respond to environmental threats and opportunities. Students will then be introduced to other models, including institutional, ecological, competitive, value-driven and critical perspectives, to explore how strategic change is managed.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Future of Work · 12.5 pts

The way we work is changing. The forces of globalisation, technological advancement and population pressures are reshaping the nature and meaning of ‘work’. Graduates entering the new world of work face a revolution in working practices and organisational culture. There are greater opportunities for autonomy, flexibility and creativity, but there is also more uncertainty about job security and employment pathways. New work opportunities have emerged that did not exist just a few years ago, yet career choices that were previously considered ‘safe’ have also come under new threats from increasingly capable technologies.
Addressing opportunities and challenges, this subject intends to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to meet, and eventually lead, the ‘future of work’.

The subject is intended as a meaningful development journey that helps students to plan for and succeed in their careers. Through the use of reflection, peer interaction, case studies and workshops, students will learn how to apply the course content at the individual, organisational and global levels.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Academic English for Graduate Studies · 12.5 pts

This subject focuses on the advanced language required for successful graduate study in English. In this subject students will develop critical approaches to researching, reading and writing. They will also develop the ability to plan and present confidently on a research topic and to write a literature review fluently and accurately. Particular attention is paid to grammatical and stylistic aspects of written and spoken academic discourse. Students write and present on a research topic that is relevant to their field of study.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Compulsory subjects

Students complete 62.5 points of compulsory subjects.

Accordion
Principles of Arts Management · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the theories, processes, and practices behind strategic planning and decision-making in arts organisations today. In addition to generic management issues, students will be asked to identify and analyse issues specific to the arts industry. Students will be introduced to core issues in arts management, including arts leadership; strategic planning; governance; organisational structuring; funding and financing; audience experience; conflict and negotiation; sustainability; diversity; equity; and inclusion. Emergent concepts and approaches in the field such as co-creation and agile project management will also be considered.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Cultural Policy · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to theoretical perspectives on arts and cultural policy and explains how various historical, political, and cultural contexts shape cultural policies in different nation states. The subject provides a broad overview of multiple aspects of cultural policies including regulating public arts, preserving national cultural heritage, contributing to sustainable economic, environmental, and urban development, as well as protecting cultural diversity on local and global levels. The subject explains how different political and cultural actors are involved in complex processes of creating, communicating, restructuring, or resisting cultural policies and how they affect local economies, reframe social and cultural composition of communities, as well as contribute to place branding.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Arts Operations · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of commercial operations in an arts and cultural context, including financial management, budgeting, contracts, grants, and resource management. This subject includes an examination of the principles of financial reporting for arts organisations; the preparation and evaluation of financial budgets, particularly for grants; and a survey of critical operational logistics related to contracts, staffing, and resource management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Economics of Culture · 12.5 pts

This wholly online subject examines the arts and culture as part of an economic system. Students are introduced to diverse approaches to the economic characterisation of arts and cultural production including culture as a public good, the creative industries paradigms and the role of taxation policies and private support for cultural activity. Different sectors of the arts and cultural industry will be analysed from highly commercialised free-market operations to fully government-funded structures.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Applied Research Methods · 12.5 pts

This subject is an overview of the qualitative and quantitative methods used in researching the Arts and Cultural sector. The course will cover research design, implementation, analysis and communication of results. Particular focus will be paid to the application of research in professional settings.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 1

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Accordion
Arts Management Placement · 25 pts

This capstone subject consists of two components: 1) Classroom component and 2) Placement.

For the classroom component, students will participate in a series of seminars that examine current trends in the cultural and creative industries. As part of the classroom component, students will also conduct original research on an approved topic selected in consultation with the subject coordinator. The research project will be in the field of arts and cultural management as applied to a single art form or cross-art form projects such as festivals, multimedia projects or international exchange in the arts and will draw on theoretical literature.

For the placement component, students will be assisted to find a placement in a professional working environment where they will gain direct exposure to professional practice in their chosen field. They will work under the guidance of a senior staff member, with additional support from the subject coordinator. Students will be required to complete 150 hours of on-site work experience to fulfill this component of the subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 2

-

Accordion
Arts Management Project · 25 pts

This capstone subject requires teams of students to work in cross-disciplinary teams to conceive and complete an entrepreneurial arts project over the semester. Each project will apply knowledge learned within their program and require students to conceive, design and deliver a project that utilises a range of arts management and curatorial skills over 138 hours. Projects will be completed under the supervision of the subject coordinators, supported by Project Labs that cover practitioner-oriented methodologies. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information, develop professional networks and team skills to support the delivery of professional outcomes, and seek and receive constructive feedback in various settings. Over the course of the semester, students will present on their plan of work, reflect on their professional development across their degree and construct a professional portfolio that showcases their arts industry-relevant skills.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 3

Students taking this capstone stream must complete both minor thesis subjects.

Accordion
Arts Management Thesis Part 1 · 18.75 pts

Students enrolled in this subject will undertake a piece of research in arts management approved by the course coordinator. The research will incorporate both theoretical inquiry and primary research. On completion of the subject, students will submit a minor thesis on their chosen research topic. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.

The subject coordinator can turn down the proposal (and thereby entry into the Minor Thesis) if the subject of the proposed Minor Thesis does not sufficiently align with the focus of the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Arts Management Thesis Part 2 · 18.75 pts

Students enrolled in this subject will undertake a piece of research in arts management approved by the course coordinator. The research will incorporate both theoretical inquiry and primary research. On completion of the subject, students will submit a minor thesis on their chosen research topic. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.The subject coordinator can turn down the proposal (and thereby entry into the Minor Thesis) if the subject of the proposed Minor Thesis does not sufficiently align with the focus of the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Elective subjects

50 points to 62.5 points , depending on the capstone option selected.

Accordion
Interpreting Exhibitions · 12.5 pts

This subject will examine the various strategies employed by museums and galleries to frame the objects and ideas in their care and in order to communicate to the public about them. It will consider how these display strategies have changed over time, but its principal focus will nonetheless be on current exhibition and display settings, from contemporary art spaces to science and natural history museums. What is the best way - if any - to frame a particular exhibition? What sorts of communications messages should curators and exhibition designers seek to convey to museum and gallery visitors? How effectively do galleries and museums communicate their ideas? What role does the public have in engaging with the objects and ideas in museum and gallery display settings? These and other questions will be asked in order to critically interrogate the idea of the exhibition as a meeting point between the institution and the public and as a site of a charged dialogue of meaning between all the players in the exhibition circuit: from the institution, to the objects and/or ideas in the institution, and on to the public who comes to engage with them. On completion of the subject students should be able to apply a range of critical theoretical, art historical and museological approaches to the study of exhibitions and displays in historical and contemporary settings.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Collection Management · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the theory and practice of collection management as applied to collections of visual cultural material, with emphasis on works of art. This can range from wider debates regarding significance, ‘canons’ of art history and the impact of new technologies to specific skills associated with accessioning and de-accessioning, cataloguing systems, and collection policies. The subject will be taught in collaboration with the staff of the University of Melbourne’s Ian Potter Museum of Art.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Partnering and Fundraising in the Arts · 12.5 pts

The aim of this subject is to provide students with knowledge, insight and skills in the practice of managing key stakeholders in cultural organisations. Its particular focus will be on stakeholder relationships. Topics will include but not be limited to: internal stakeholders such as Boards and staff and external stakeholders such as donors and sponsors. In looking at internal stakeholders, the focus will be on effective people management including relationships between Boards and management, management and staff, and management and unions. In exploring external stakeholders, this subject will provide students with an understanding of the role of philanthropy, development activities and fundraising in the cultural not-for-profit sector.

View detailed information in the Handbook

AMGT90008 · pts
History and Philosophy of Museums · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the growth of the museum from its origins in the wunderkammer and antiquarian collections of the 16th century to the dynamic and constantly shifting field of possibilities available to museums today. The subject charts the progression of the museum from the private collections of the Renaissance and Baroque to the vast public institutional spaces of the late 18th and 19th centuries, and beyond. Students will also address the various functions of the museum in Western culture from its inception to the present day. Special attention will be given to the ways in which the changing objectives of the museum (e.g. entertainment, propaganda, education) are reflected in the architecture, design and the display techniques developed in different countries at different times. Students should develop an understanding of the relationship between museums and concepts of national and cultural identity, focusing on their development within Australia and internationally.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Biennales, Triennales and Documentas · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the exhibition of contemporary art in international survey exhibitions since the 1960s, delineating the methods that curators and directors have tested in response to the needs of art museums, bureaucracies, artists and publics across a range of geographic settings. The subject will examine a sequence of exhibitions from Australia and overseas, including early, national pavilion-based Venice Biennales, the director-driven 1970s Documentas, the 1980s global circuit of Biennales (including Sydney's), the newer Asian biennales (including Brisbane's Asia-Pacific triennials), the commercial art fairs (Frieze and the New York Armory Show). The subject considers these exhibitions' impact on contemporary art, as well as the roles of sponsorship, philanthropy and exhibition directors.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Understanding Contemporary Art Writing · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the theory and practice of writing on contemporary art and the moving image. The distinct professional genres in which art writing is practised will be analysed as will the recent history of art theory. The subject will survey innovations and developments that have taken place in recent criticism, curatorship and critical writing, as well as discuss the theories, trends and shifts in current and future writing on art and the moving image. The goal of the subject is to develop the overlapping skills of active, critical reading combined with student understanding of critical theory and art.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Museology in Florence · 12.5 pts

This subject is taught on location in the major European art centre Florence, Italy, using the social, economic, geographical and cultural effects of the art centre as a case study of historical and contemporary culture. It will investigate Florence's most important museums and private collections, in order to understand their place in the origin and development of the museum as an institutional type from the Renaissance to today Students will study the display and consumption of art, allowing consideration of recent developments in museology, arts policy, commodity theory and cultural tourism.

A quota of 20 students applies to this subject. Please see 'Eligibility and Requirements' for further information on how to apply for this subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Audiences and the Arts · 12.5 pts

This subject examines audience development, engagement, and retention in arts and cultural activities. It engages with a variety of professional techniques including experience design, programming and content analysis, analysis of audience types and segments, aspects of audience experience, methods for audience research and analysis, and elements of access and barriers to entry. Lectures and seminars will address a range of themes underpinning audiences in the arts and cultural sectors, include research into attitudes to the arts, economic and social trends that impact on attendance at arts events, and the role of artists as promoters of their own work. There will be guest lectures throughout the semester.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Partnering and Fundraising in the Arts · 12.5 pts

The aim of this subject is to provide students with knowledge, insight and skills in the practice of managing key stakeholders in cultural organisations. Its particular focus will be on stakeholder relationships. Topics will include but not be limited to: internal stakeholders such as Boards and staff and external stakeholders such as donors and sponsors. In looking at internal stakeholders, the focus will be on effective people management including relationships between Boards and management, management and staff, and management and unions. In exploring external stakeholders, this subject will provide students with an understanding of the role of philanthropy, development activities and fundraising in the cultural not-for-profit sector.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Managing Creative Content · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the practical legal aspects and issues associated with the management of intellectual property in the area of creative production in Australia. The focus is on contracts and intellectual property in the rapidly changing technological environment of the arts. The context includes film and multimedia production and distribution, fashion and design, the commissioning and production of public art, the creation and presentation of performing arts; the management of museum and gallery collections and the administration of artistic and literary estates.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Marketing the Arts · 12.5 pts

This subject investigates the diversity of marketing forms, practices and strategies used across the breadth of arts organisations. Students will explore a range of influential marketing concepts, investigating the evolution from traditional forms of engagement to contemporary innovations in this area. Seminars will explore the interrelationship between communication theory and practice, identifying pivotal issues and influential concepts in arts marketing. Topics include strategic marketing planning, branding, pricing and communications. Students will engage in an advanced study of scholarly approaches and contemporary debates in the field as well as applying marketing tools and techniques.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cultural Festivals and Special Events · 12.5 pts

Cultural festivals, carnivals and special events are a prominent feature of arts and cultural activities at the local, national and international level. Through a series of international and local case studies, this subject will examine the economic and artistic origins of and rationales for these events in the context of a range of theoretical framings. Students will be asked to consider a variety of professional and critical approaches to evaluating these events, including programming and content analysis, audiences, creative labour, place-making strategies and the role of artistic directors. The influence of ritual, invented traditions and the carnivalesque in contemporary festival practices, along with the historical and political underpinning of festivals, will also be explored in order to appreciate the diverse range of interests that are served by such events and the social and political contexts within which they take place.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Global Perspectives on Arts Management · 12.5 pts

This subject examines social, political, economic, and cultural backgrounds shaping arts and cultural management around the world. The subject combines a study of history, theory, and practice to consider the development of cultural industries and the growing demands of working collaboratively internationally and across cultures. The approach to the material is through lectures, readings, class discussions, and case studies relating to cultural industries and organisations from around the globe, which may include festivals, museums, art galleries, and film. Students completing this subject will gain a better understanding of the diverse global, regional, and national contexts for the dynamic arts and cultural sector as well as a cross-cultural and international outlook.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cultural Complexity and Intelligence · 12.5 pts

How do we adapt to new cultural settings and function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity? How do we orient ourselves to knowledge that accounts for cultural complexity? This subject addresses these questions by examining cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence is concerned not only with producing social and institutional sustainability but the frameworks and practices which enable people to thrive in, belong to and enhance the communities in which they live and work. This subject will examine: management approaches to cultural intelligence, cultural complexity theory, everyday multiculturalism and cultural diversity planning, across a range of sites and case studies including the multi-ethnic workplace, the cross-cultural marketplace, social contract learning, cultural statistics, creative industries, social media and open source intelligence. Introducing the cultural dimensions of organisational strategy, governance and competency, students will learn how cultural intelligence can potentially mitigate cultural complexity.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Serial Storytelling · 12.5 pts

Students will read a range of fictional and non-fictional narratives written in the late 20th and early 21 st centuries for serial publication, such as Maupin’s Tales of the City books or ABC’s Please Like Me. Students will analyse these texts with a focus on the relationship between serial distribution and storytelling form, and with particular attention given to historical transformations and new developments.

Students will also read critical approaches to serial narrative concentrating on textual forms, genre, criticism, technologies of production and distribution, industrial formations of production and distribution, cultural contexts, and modes of audience engagement. Students will work to devise a concept outline for an original serial narrative for print, online, audio or screen delivery (e.g. online prose series, television series or podcast series), and write selected instalments.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Professional Literacies · 12.5 pts

This subject aims to develop effective written communication skills for use in professional workplace contexts. It is designed for graduate students, who are speakers of English as an additional language. Given the wide range of professional workplaces and modes of writing found within these, this subject aims to help students reflect on the different contexts and interactions that are at stake in professional reading and writing. It will do this by teaching students techniques of text analysis to assist them in identifying the conventions of a variety of genres encountered in the workplace. Students will also develop skills in structuring and writing texts that respond appropriately and flexibly to a range of communicative purposes and audiences. Particular attention will be paid to workplace modes of writing (including promotional and hortatory text types), and to the processes of collaborative professional writing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Intercultural Professional Communication · 12.5 pts

This subject enhances students’ ability to communicate effectively and strategically in English-speaking professional settings in Australia and internationally. Students will acquire research-based discourse analytic tools to understand workplace cultures and norms of interaction, and develop practical skills in advanced spoken and email-based workplace interaction. Topics include opening and closing conversations, engaging in small talk, raising sensitive issues with peers and superior, making and responding to requests, complaints, and refusals from a position of strength and weakness, structuring short ad hoc speeches, participating in job interviews, and understanding cultural norms of humour, sarcasm and non-literal language use. There will be an emphasis throughout on intercultural differences and awareness raising of how cultural norms impact interaction.

Note: This subject is aimed at speakers of English as an additional language. It is not suitable for native speakers of English.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cross Cultural Management and Teamwork · 12.5 pts

This subject explores key issues facing managers of international businesses. These include the need to develop skills in cross-cultural communication, negotiation, conflict resolution and global teamwork within the firm and with other parties in host countries. This subject further explores how managers respond positively to the challenges of using a multi-cultural workforce, including expatriates, global teams and operating a business in a number of culturally-distinct environments.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Working in Indigenous Cultural Contexts · 12.5 pts

This subject will examine the diversity of protocols and management practices that arts and cultural managers need to be cognisant of when working in Australian Indigenous cultural contexts. Examining management concerns and practices across a range of art forms in both urban and remote settings, this subject assists in preparing arts and cultural managers to work with Indigenous artists and arts communities. The subject will present a contemporary overview of the significance of arts in Australian Indigenous social history and explore the nature of indigenous protocols, Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, the role of criticism in the development of Australian Indigenous arts and the practice of management in the Australian Indigenous cultural contexts.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Media Convergence and Digital Culture · 12.5 pts

This subject offers an advanced critical examination of the impact of digital technology on contemporary media industries and cultural practices. We will examine the way the internet and new modes of collaborative production in the Web 2.0 environment are driving the transformation of all media sectors, including cinema, music, video, gaming and television. Through case studies in these sectors and close analysis of contemporary internet practices, students will engage with key debates about digital culture, including the transformation of audiences, the emergence of new media platforms, the role of peer to peer networks and social media and the changing nature of power in the digital era.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Online Community Management · 12.5 pts

This subject is designed to give students training in the knowledge and skills required to be effective online community managers. It presents advanced understanding of the theories, practices, responsibilities, and ethical considerations of managing online communities in participatory spaces, whether for brands or media organisations. Using practical examples and case studies it demonstrates the importance of excellent community management and engagement within the online communications space. Students will be given an opportunity to translate their knowledge into practice through assignments designed to engage them in the work of community management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Leadership and Team Dynamics · 12.5 pts

As organisations have gradually shifted towards using more team-based work structures, one of the main challenges in the modern workplace is how to effectively lead and manage teams. This subject deals with this challenge by focusing on understanding the principles of leadership in organisations and the fundamentals of team structure of team processes. Topics considered include: the structure of teams within organisations; differences in team members; managing interpersonal dynamics in teams; theories of leadership; the role of managers as organisational leaders; human resource and organisational factors that impact leading teams effectively.

View detailed information in the Handbook

People and Change · 12.5 pts

This subject examines individual and collective human behaviour in and around issues of organisational change. The subject will cover a broad theoretical basis that assists in understanding how change at the employee, group and strategic levels affects individuals. Both the planned approach and emergent approach to change management will be considered. Topics to be covered include: drivers of change, the role of internal and external change agents, tools for successful change management, and the implementation and consequences of specific change initiatives.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Project Management · 12.5 pts

The use of project management techniques has risen sharply. Examples of projects include research and development studies, reorganisation efforts, implementation of change programs, installation of a new piece of equipment, advertising campaigns, construction, organising special events and other one-off endeavours. The subject will cover the key drivers of project success, training and leadership in project environments. Project selection is the first critical set of decisions. Matching of the projects selected to the organisation’s strategy is taken as the starting point. Practical tools and techniques will then be introduced to manage the project or special event for success. The subject will also involve the use of an appropriate Project Management software package such as MS Project.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Leaders, Business & Culture in Florence · 12.5 pts

How are successful cultural businesses built? How do we understand the business of art and culture, and what is the role of leadership and entrepreneurialism in the cultural sector? Florence has been famous as a centre of European culture, industry, trade and finance through the ages. The Florentine industrial district provides a model of development that we can draw on today to inform understandings of contemporary finance, marketing and customer service. Taught on location in Florence, this subject examines both the unique Florentine complex of cultural and commercial interests, and also other Australian and European approaches to the creation of business models in the arts and cultural sectors. Through case studies, site visits and industry comparisons, it explores how to build business models that can go from good to great.

Please see 'Eligibility and Requirements' for further information on how to apply for this subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Social Enterprise Incubator · 12.5 pts

This experiential learning subject introduces students to the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship, while equipping students with a practical understanding of social enterprise as a model to tackle social and/or environmental problems through trade. Working in small teams, students are introduced to a range of design thinking and social innovation frameworks. They draw on these frameworks to iteratively conceptualise, ‘pitch’, refine and develop a social enterprise ‘business model’ that appropriately responds to the needs of communities and society. To nurture and support development of ideas, the subject draws on real-world case studies as well as industry guests from the social enterprise ecosystem including social entrepreneurs, people with ‘lived-experience’, social finance and impact investment intermediaries, incubators and accelerators and leading scholars and thinkers in the field. Upon completing this subject, students will develop a critical understanding of the theoretical foundations of social entrepreneurship and how to develop a ‘business model’ for financially sustainable social impact. By doing so, the subject also offers a unique opportunity for students to apply conceptual knowledge and project management and business skills to real-world social and/or environmental challenges.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Writing and Editing for Digital Media · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the principles and practices of writing and editing for digital media. It provides students with an understanding of and practical skills in writing for different online contexts and genres, including websites, online essays, multimedia stories, social media content, and search engine optimisation. Students will apply these skills using their existing disciplinary expertise to develop and creative contribute to platforms focused on their professional industries.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Legal Issues in Arts and Media · 12.5 pts

This subject addresses ethical issues and legal constraints related to working in the arts and culture sector, including publishing for print and digital media. It will review existing ethical codes and the mechanisms established to police them, as well as offering an overview of how practices are shaped by law relating to such matters as intellectual property, contracts, negligence, privacy, defamation and respect for cultural differences. On successfully completing this subject, students will have gained an understanding of a wide range of ethical and legal considerations for their professional practice.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Book Markets: Structures and Strategies · 12.5 pts

As the trade book market in all its forms continues to adapt to the impact of new technologies, this subject examines the resulting seismic changes, the fast-changing impacts of digital technologies on the publishing supply chain and the shifting strategic contribution of marketing to the publishing process. We study the changing structure of the market, including analysis of the changing role of publishers, wholesalers, bricks and mortar retailers (both specialist and non-specialist) and online providers on the supply side; and examine demographic, cultural and social factors influencing the structure of demand. We explore factors affecting the competitive environment, including the impact of digital technologies on the print supply chain and the interaction between old and new media. We use case studies to highlight the issues of market segmentation, branding and product placement. Assessment tasks focus on researching specific market segments and developing practical, commercially astute marketing strategies.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The International Publishing Industry · 12.5 pts

This subject provides an overview of the global publishing industry, examining global book production, translation, the international rights market, multi-media adaptation of books, conglomerate publishing companies, and global practices of reception. Students will gain a critical understanding of professional practices and the issues that define book publishing on a global scale.

This subject compliments PUBL90003 The Contemporary Publishing Industry (which gives students a general overview of the contemporary book publishing sector) and focuses more specifically on the global book trade and the way that professional publishing practice, in myriad forms, happens across national borders.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Film Production: From Script to Screen · 12.5 pts

This subject will focus on the theoretical and practical elements involved in the production of screen-based content through advanced research, professional insight and contemporary practice. Students will gain specialised theoretical and practical grounding in the screen-based content production life cycle including: the ‘pitch’; script and story development; funding and financing; pre-production, principal photography and post-production; and transmedia production and distribution. The Australian screen production sector will be situated within the context of a highly globalised industry. Other areas under investigation include the role of industry and policy stakeholders; support for emerging content creators; forms of marketing and promotion; new technology and workflows; and cross-platform production strategies.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Film Festival Cultures · 12.5 pts

This subject is a study of the development of international film festival cultures and their historical and contemporary role in art house and national cinemas. Through an examination of the history and the basic operations of selected film festivals (such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance and Melbourne), the changing nature of film festival cultures will be considered. Students will further enhance their knowledge of film festivals either by devising and mounting a film festival as a group project, or attending and reporting on an existing film festival. The popularisation of film festivals and their role in international event and celebrity culture will be assessed in relation to the increasingly limited and commercialised world of art, experimental and avant-garde cinema. The film festival is thus considered as a key site of international film culture. As a place where all aspects of film culture (art, economic, entertainment) come together, the festival is demonstrated as case study in the business of contemporary filmmaking, its past and its future.

View detailed information in the Handbook

150 point program

1.5 years full time / 3 years part time

Compulsory subjects

Students complete 62.5 points of compulsory subjects.

Accordion
Principles of Arts Management · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the theories, processes, and practices behind strategic planning and decision-making in arts organisations today. In addition to generic management issues, students will be asked to identify and analyse issues specific to the arts industry. Students will be introduced to core issues in arts management, including arts leadership; strategic planning; governance; organisational structuring; funding and financing; audience experience; conflict and negotiation; sustainability; diversity; equity; and inclusion. Emergent concepts and approaches in the field such as co-creation and agile project management will also be considered.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Cultural Policy · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to theoretical perspectives on arts and cultural policy and explains how various historical, political, and cultural contexts shape cultural policies in different nation states. The subject provides a broad overview of multiple aspects of cultural policies including regulating public arts, preserving national cultural heritage, contributing to sustainable economic, environmental, and urban development, as well as protecting cultural diversity on local and global levels. The subject explains how different political and cultural actors are involved in complex processes of creating, communicating, restructuring, or resisting cultural policies and how they affect local economies, reframe social and cultural composition of communities, as well as contribute to place branding.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Arts Operations · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of commercial operations in an arts and cultural context, including financial management, budgeting, contracts, grants, and resource management. This subject includes an examination of the principles of financial reporting for arts organisations; the preparation and evaluation of financial budgets, particularly for grants; and a survey of critical operational logistics related to contracts, staffing, and resource management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Economics of Culture · 12.5 pts

This wholly online subject examines the arts and culture as part of an economic system. Students are introduced to diverse approaches to the economic characterisation of arts and cultural production including culture as a public good, the creative industries paradigms and the role of taxation policies and private support for cultural activity. Different sectors of the arts and cultural industry will be analysed from highly commercialised free-market operations to fully government-funded structures.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Applied Research Methods · 12.5 pts

This subject is an overview of the qualitative and quantitative methods used in researching the Arts and Cultural sector. The course will cover research design, implementation, analysis and communication of results. Particular focus will be paid to the application of research in professional settings.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 1

-

Accordion
Arts Management Placement · 25 pts

This capstone subject consists of two components: 1) Classroom component and 2) Placement.

For the classroom component, students will participate in a series of seminars that examine current trends in the cultural and creative industries. As part of the classroom component, students will also conduct original research on an approved topic selected in consultation with the subject coordinator. The research project will be in the field of arts and cultural management as applied to a single art form or cross-art form projects such as festivals, multimedia projects or international exchange in the arts and will draw on theoretical literature.

For the placement component, students will be assisted to find a placement in a professional working environment where they will gain direct exposure to professional practice in their chosen field. They will work under the guidance of a senior staff member, with additional support from the subject coordinator. Students will be required to complete 150 hours of on-site work experience to fulfill this component of the subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 2

-

Accordion
Arts Management Project · 25 pts

This capstone subject requires teams of students to work in cross-disciplinary teams to conceive and complete an entrepreneurial arts project over the semester. Each project will apply knowledge learned within their program and require students to conceive, design and deliver a project that utilises a range of arts management and curatorial skills over 138 hours. Projects will be completed under the supervision of the subject coordinators, supported by Project Labs that cover practitioner-oriented methodologies. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information, develop professional networks and team skills to support the delivery of professional outcomes, and seek and receive constructive feedback in various settings. Over the course of the semester, students will present on their plan of work, reflect on their professional development across their degree and construct a professional portfolio that showcases their arts industry-relevant skills.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 3

Students taking this capstone stream must complete both minor thesis subjects.

Accordion
Arts Management Thesis Part 1 · 18.75 pts

Students enrolled in this subject will undertake a piece of research in arts management approved by the course coordinator. The research will incorporate both theoretical inquiry and primary research. On completion of the subject, students will submit a minor thesis on their chosen research topic. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.

The subject coordinator can turn down the proposal (and thereby entry into the Minor Thesis) if the subject of the proposed Minor Thesis does not sufficiently align with the focus of the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Arts Management Thesis Part 2 · 18.75 pts

Students enrolled in this subject will undertake a piece of research in arts management approved by the course coordinator. The research will incorporate both theoretical inquiry and primary research. On completion of the subject, students will submit a minor thesis on their chosen research topic. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.The subject coordinator can turn down the proposal (and thereby entry into the Minor Thesis) if the subject of the proposed Minor Thesis does not sufficiently align with the focus of the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Elective subjects

50 points to 62.5 points, depending on the capstone option selected.

Accordion
Interpreting Exhibitions · 12.5 pts

This subject will examine the various strategies employed by museums and galleries to frame the objects and ideas in their care and in order to communicate to the public about them. It will consider how these display strategies have changed over time, but its principal focus will nonetheless be on current exhibition and display settings, from contemporary art spaces to science and natural history museums. What is the best way - if any - to frame a particular exhibition? What sorts of communications messages should curators and exhibition designers seek to convey to museum and gallery visitors? How effectively do galleries and museums communicate their ideas? What role does the public have in engaging with the objects and ideas in museum and gallery display settings? These and other questions will be asked in order to critically interrogate the idea of the exhibition as a meeting point between the institution and the public and as a site of a charged dialogue of meaning between all the players in the exhibition circuit: from the institution, to the objects and/or ideas in the institution, and on to the public who comes to engage with them. On completion of the subject students should be able to apply a range of critical theoretical, art historical and museological approaches to the study of exhibitions and displays in historical and contemporary settings.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Collection Management · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the theory and practice of collection management as applied to collections of visual cultural material, with emphasis on works of art. This can range from wider debates regarding significance, ‘canons’ of art history and the impact of new technologies to specific skills associated with accessioning and de-accessioning, cataloguing systems, and collection policies. The subject will be taught in collaboration with the staff of the University of Melbourne’s Ian Potter Museum of Art.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Partnering and Fundraising in the Arts · 12.5 pts

The aim of this subject is to provide students with knowledge, insight and skills in the practice of managing key stakeholders in cultural organisations. Its particular focus will be on stakeholder relationships. Topics will include but not be limited to: internal stakeholders such as Boards and staff and external stakeholders such as donors and sponsors. In looking at internal stakeholders, the focus will be on effective people management including relationships between Boards and management, management and staff, and management and unions. In exploring external stakeholders, this subject will provide students with an understanding of the role of philanthropy, development activities and fundraising in the cultural not-for-profit sector.

View detailed information in the Handbook

AMGT90008 · pts
History and Philosophy of Museums · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the growth of the museum from its origins in the wunderkammer and antiquarian collections of the 16th century to the dynamic and constantly shifting field of possibilities available to museums today. The subject charts the progression of the museum from the private collections of the Renaissance and Baroque to the vast public institutional spaces of the late 18th and 19th centuries, and beyond. Students will also address the various functions of the museum in Western culture from its inception to the present day. Special attention will be given to the ways in which the changing objectives of the museum (e.g. entertainment, propaganda, education) are reflected in the architecture, design and the display techniques developed in different countries at different times. Students should develop an understanding of the relationship between museums and concepts of national and cultural identity, focusing on their development within Australia and internationally.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Biennales, Triennales and Documentas · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the exhibition of contemporary art in international survey exhibitions since the 1960s, delineating the methods that curators and directors have tested in response to the needs of art museums, bureaucracies, artists and publics across a range of geographic settings. The subject will examine a sequence of exhibitions from Australia and overseas, including early, national pavilion-based Venice Biennales, the director-driven 1970s Documentas, the 1980s global circuit of Biennales (including Sydney's), the newer Asian biennales (including Brisbane's Asia-Pacific triennials), the commercial art fairs (Frieze and the New York Armory Show). The subject considers these exhibitions' impact on contemporary art, as well as the roles of sponsorship, philanthropy and exhibition directors.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Understanding Contemporary Art Writing · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the theory and practice of writing on contemporary art and the moving image. The distinct professional genres in which art writing is practised will be analysed as will the recent history of art theory. The subject will survey innovations and developments that have taken place in recent criticism, curatorship and critical writing, as well as discuss the theories, trends and shifts in current and future writing on art and the moving image. The goal of the subject is to develop the overlapping skills of active, critical reading combined with student understanding of critical theory and art.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Museology in Florence · 12.5 pts

This subject is taught on location in the major European art centre Florence, Italy, using the social, economic, geographical and cultural effects of the art centre as a case study of historical and contemporary culture. It will investigate Florence's most important museums and private collections, in order to understand their place in the origin and development of the museum as an institutional type from the Renaissance to today Students will study the display and consumption of art, allowing consideration of recent developments in museology, arts policy, commodity theory and cultural tourism.

A quota of 20 students applies to this subject. Please see 'Eligibility and Requirements' for further information on how to apply for this subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Audiences and the Arts · 12.5 pts

This subject examines audience development, engagement, and retention in arts and cultural activities. It engages with a variety of professional techniques including experience design, programming and content analysis, analysis of audience types and segments, aspects of audience experience, methods for audience research and analysis, and elements of access and barriers to entry. Lectures and seminars will address a range of themes underpinning audiences in the arts and cultural sectors, include research into attitudes to the arts, economic and social trends that impact on attendance at arts events, and the role of artists as promoters of their own work. There will be guest lectures throughout the semester.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Partnering and Fundraising in the Arts · 12.5 pts

The aim of this subject is to provide students with knowledge, insight and skills in the practice of managing key stakeholders in cultural organisations. Its particular focus will be on stakeholder relationships. Topics will include but not be limited to: internal stakeholders such as Boards and staff and external stakeholders such as donors and sponsors. In looking at internal stakeholders, the focus will be on effective people management including relationships between Boards and management, management and staff, and management and unions. In exploring external stakeholders, this subject will provide students with an understanding of the role of philanthropy, development activities and fundraising in the cultural not-for-profit sector.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Managing Creative Content · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the practical legal aspects and issues associated with the management of intellectual property in the area of creative production in Australia. The focus is on contracts and intellectual property in the rapidly changing technological environment of the arts. The context includes film and multimedia production and distribution, fashion and design, the commissioning and production of public art, the creation and presentation of performing arts; the management of museum and gallery collections and the administration of artistic and literary estates.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Marketing the Arts · 12.5 pts

This subject investigates the diversity of marketing forms, practices and strategies used across the breadth of arts organisations. Students will explore a range of influential marketing concepts, investigating the evolution from traditional forms of engagement to contemporary innovations in this area. Seminars will explore the interrelationship between communication theory and practice, identifying pivotal issues and influential concepts in arts marketing. Topics include strategic marketing planning, branding, pricing and communications. Students will engage in an advanced study of scholarly approaches and contemporary debates in the field as well as applying marketing tools and techniques.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cultural Festivals and Special Events · 12.5 pts

Cultural festivals, carnivals and special events are a prominent feature of arts and cultural activities at the local, national and international level. Through a series of international and local case studies, this subject will examine the economic and artistic origins of and rationales for these events in the context of a range of theoretical framings. Students will be asked to consider a variety of professional and critical approaches to evaluating these events, including programming and content analysis, audiences, creative labour, place-making strategies and the role of artistic directors. The influence of ritual, invented traditions and the carnivalesque in contemporary festival practices, along with the historical and political underpinning of festivals, will also be explored in order to appreciate the diverse range of interests that are served by such events and the social and political contexts within which they take place.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Global Perspectives on Arts Management · 12.5 pts

This subject examines social, political, economic, and cultural backgrounds shaping arts and cultural management around the world. The subject combines a study of history, theory, and practice to consider the development of cultural industries and the growing demands of working collaboratively internationally and across cultures. The approach to the material is through lectures, readings, class discussions, and case studies relating to cultural industries and organisations from around the globe, which may include festivals, museums, art galleries, and film. Students completing this subject will gain a better understanding of the diverse global, regional, and national contexts for the dynamic arts and cultural sector as well as a cross-cultural and international outlook.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cultural Complexity and Intelligence · 12.5 pts

How do we adapt to new cultural settings and function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity? How do we orient ourselves to knowledge that accounts for cultural complexity? This subject addresses these questions by examining cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence is concerned not only with producing social and institutional sustainability but the frameworks and practices which enable people to thrive in, belong to and enhance the communities in which they live and work. This subject will examine: management approaches to cultural intelligence, cultural complexity theory, everyday multiculturalism and cultural diversity planning, across a range of sites and case studies including the multi-ethnic workplace, the cross-cultural marketplace, social contract learning, cultural statistics, creative industries, social media and open source intelligence. Introducing the cultural dimensions of organisational strategy, governance and competency, students will learn how cultural intelligence can potentially mitigate cultural complexity.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Serial Storytelling · 12.5 pts

Students will read a range of fictional and non-fictional narratives written in the late 20th and early 21 st centuries for serial publication, such as Maupin’s Tales of the City books or ABC’s Please Like Me. Students will analyse these texts with a focus on the relationship between serial distribution and storytelling form, and with particular attention given to historical transformations and new developments.

Students will also read critical approaches to serial narrative concentrating on textual forms, genre, criticism, technologies of production and distribution, industrial formations of production and distribution, cultural contexts, and modes of audience engagement. Students will work to devise a concept outline for an original serial narrative for print, online, audio or screen delivery (e.g. online prose series, television series or podcast series), and write selected instalments.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Professional Literacies · 12.5 pts

This subject aims to develop effective written communication skills for use in professional workplace contexts. It is designed for graduate students, who are speakers of English as an additional language. Given the wide range of professional workplaces and modes of writing found within these, this subject aims to help students reflect on the different contexts and interactions that are at stake in professional reading and writing. It will do this by teaching students techniques of text analysis to assist them in identifying the conventions of a variety of genres encountered in the workplace. Students will also develop skills in structuring and writing texts that respond appropriately and flexibly to a range of communicative purposes and audiences. Particular attention will be paid to workplace modes of writing (including promotional and hortatory text types), and to the processes of collaborative professional writing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Intercultural Professional Communication · 12.5 pts

This subject enhances students’ ability to communicate effectively and strategically in English-speaking professional settings in Australia and internationally. Students will acquire research-based discourse analytic tools to understand workplace cultures and norms of interaction, and develop practical skills in advanced spoken and email-based workplace interaction. Topics include opening and closing conversations, engaging in small talk, raising sensitive issues with peers and superior, making and responding to requests, complaints, and refusals from a position of strength and weakness, structuring short ad hoc speeches, participating in job interviews, and understanding cultural norms of humour, sarcasm and non-literal language use. There will be an emphasis throughout on intercultural differences and awareness raising of how cultural norms impact interaction.

Note: This subject is aimed at speakers of English as an additional language. It is not suitable for native speakers of English.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cross Cultural Management and Teamwork · 12.5 pts

This subject explores key issues facing managers of international businesses. These include the need to develop skills in cross-cultural communication, negotiation, conflict resolution and global teamwork within the firm and with other parties in host countries. This subject further explores how managers respond positively to the challenges of using a multi-cultural workforce, including expatriates, global teams and operating a business in a number of culturally-distinct environments.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Working in Indigenous Cultural Contexts · 12.5 pts

This subject will examine the diversity of protocols and management practices that arts and cultural managers need to be cognisant of when working in Australian Indigenous cultural contexts. Examining management concerns and practices across a range of art forms in both urban and remote settings, this subject assists in preparing arts and cultural managers to work with Indigenous artists and arts communities. The subject will present a contemporary overview of the significance of arts in Australian Indigenous social history and explore the nature of indigenous protocols, Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, the role of criticism in the development of Australian Indigenous arts and the practice of management in the Australian Indigenous cultural contexts.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Media Convergence and Digital Culture · 12.5 pts

This subject offers an advanced critical examination of the impact of digital technology on contemporary media industries and cultural practices. We will examine the way the internet and new modes of collaborative production in the Web 2.0 environment are driving the transformation of all media sectors, including cinema, music, video, gaming and television. Through case studies in these sectors and close analysis of contemporary internet practices, students will engage with key debates about digital culture, including the transformation of audiences, the emergence of new media platforms, the role of peer to peer networks and social media and the changing nature of power in the digital era.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Online Community Management · 12.5 pts

This subject is designed to give students training in the knowledge and skills required to be effective online community managers. It presents advanced understanding of the theories, practices, responsibilities, and ethical considerations of managing online communities in participatory spaces, whether for brands or media organisations. Using practical examples and case studies it demonstrates the importance of excellent community management and engagement within the online communications space. Students will be given an opportunity to translate their knowledge into practice through assignments designed to engage them in the work of community management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Leadership and Team Dynamics · 12.5 pts

As organisations have gradually shifted towards using more team-based work structures, one of the main challenges in the modern workplace is how to effectively lead and manage teams. This subject deals with this challenge by focusing on understanding the principles of leadership in organisations and the fundamentals of team structure of team processes. Topics considered include: the structure of teams within organisations; differences in team members; managing interpersonal dynamics in teams; theories of leadership; the role of managers as organisational leaders; human resource and organisational factors that impact leading teams effectively.

View detailed information in the Handbook

People and Change · 12.5 pts

This subject examines individual and collective human behaviour in and around issues of organisational change. The subject will cover a broad theoretical basis that assists in understanding how change at the employee, group and strategic levels affects individuals. Both the planned approach and emergent approach to change management will be considered. Topics to be covered include: drivers of change, the role of internal and external change agents, tools for successful change management, and the implementation and consequences of specific change initiatives.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Project Management · 12.5 pts

The use of project management techniques has risen sharply. Examples of projects include research and development studies, reorganisation efforts, implementation of change programs, installation of a new piece of equipment, advertising campaigns, construction, organising special events and other one-off endeavours. The subject will cover the key drivers of project success, training and leadership in project environments. Project selection is the first critical set of decisions. Matching of the projects selected to the organisation’s strategy is taken as the starting point. Practical tools and techniques will then be introduced to manage the project or special event for success. The subject will also involve the use of an appropriate Project Management software package such as MS Project.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Leaders, Business & Culture in Florence · 12.5 pts

How are successful cultural businesses built? How do we understand the business of art and culture, and what is the role of leadership and entrepreneurialism in the cultural sector? Florence has been famous as a centre of European culture, industry, trade and finance through the ages. The Florentine industrial district provides a model of development that we can draw on today to inform understandings of contemporary finance, marketing and customer service. Taught on location in Florence, this subject examines both the unique Florentine complex of cultural and commercial interests, and also other Australian and European approaches to the creation of business models in the arts and cultural sectors. Through case studies, site visits and industry comparisons, it explores how to build business models that can go from good to great.

Please see 'Eligibility and Requirements' for further information on how to apply for this subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Social Enterprise Incubator · 12.5 pts

This experiential learning subject introduces students to the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship, while equipping students with a practical understanding of social enterprise as a model to tackle social and/or environmental problems through trade. Working in small teams, students are introduced to a range of design thinking and social innovation frameworks. They draw on these frameworks to iteratively conceptualise, ‘pitch’, refine and develop a social enterprise ‘business model’ that appropriately responds to the needs of communities and society. To nurture and support development of ideas, the subject draws on real-world case studies as well as industry guests from the social enterprise ecosystem including social entrepreneurs, people with ‘lived-experience’, social finance and impact investment intermediaries, incubators and accelerators and leading scholars and thinkers in the field. Upon completing this subject, students will develop a critical understanding of the theoretical foundations of social entrepreneurship and how to develop a ‘business model’ for financially sustainable social impact. By doing so, the subject also offers a unique opportunity for students to apply conceptual knowledge and project management and business skills to real-world social and/or environmental challenges.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Writing and Editing for Digital Media · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the principles and practices of writing and editing for digital media. It provides students with an understanding of and practical skills in writing for different online contexts and genres, including websites, online essays, multimedia stories, social media content, and search engine optimisation. Students will apply these skills using their existing disciplinary expertise to develop and creative contribute to platforms focused on their professional industries.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Legal Issues in Arts and Media · 12.5 pts

This subject addresses ethical issues and legal constraints related to working in the arts and culture sector, including publishing for print and digital media. It will review existing ethical codes and the mechanisms established to police them, as well as offering an overview of how practices are shaped by law relating to such matters as intellectual property, contracts, negligence, privacy, defamation and respect for cultural differences. On successfully completing this subject, students will have gained an understanding of a wide range of ethical and legal considerations for their professional practice.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Book Markets: Structures and Strategies · 12.5 pts

As the trade book market in all its forms continues to adapt to the impact of new technologies, this subject examines the resulting seismic changes, the fast-changing impacts of digital technologies on the publishing supply chain and the shifting strategic contribution of marketing to the publishing process. We study the changing structure of the market, including analysis of the changing role of publishers, wholesalers, bricks and mortar retailers (both specialist and non-specialist) and online providers on the supply side; and examine demographic, cultural and social factors influencing the structure of demand. We explore factors affecting the competitive environment, including the impact of digital technologies on the print supply chain and the interaction between old and new media. We use case studies to highlight the issues of market segmentation, branding and product placement. Assessment tasks focus on researching specific market segments and developing practical, commercially astute marketing strategies.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The International Publishing Industry · 12.5 pts

This subject provides an overview of the global publishing industry, examining global book production, translation, the international rights market, multi-media adaptation of books, conglomerate publishing companies, and global practices of reception. Students will gain a critical understanding of professional practices and the issues that define book publishing on a global scale.

This subject compliments PUBL90003 The Contemporary Publishing Industry (which gives students a general overview of the contemporary book publishing sector) and focuses more specifically on the global book trade and the way that professional publishing practice, in myriad forms, happens across national borders.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Film Production: From Script to Screen · 12.5 pts

This subject will focus on the theoretical and practical elements involved in the production of screen-based content through advanced research, professional insight and contemporary practice. Students will gain specialised theoretical and practical grounding in the screen-based content production life cycle including: the ‘pitch’; script and story development; funding and financing; pre-production, principal photography and post-production; and transmedia production and distribution. The Australian screen production sector will be situated within the context of a highly globalised industry. Other areas under investigation include the role of industry and policy stakeholders; support for emerging content creators; forms of marketing and promotion; new technology and workflows; and cross-platform production strategies.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Film Festival Cultures · 12.5 pts

This subject is a study of the development of international film festival cultures and their historical and contemporary role in art house and national cinemas. Through an examination of the history and the basic operations of selected film festivals (such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance and Melbourne), the changing nature of film festival cultures will be considered. Students will further enhance their knowledge of film festivals either by devising and mounting a film festival as a group project, or attending and reporting on an existing film festival. The popularisation of film festivals and their role in international event and celebrity culture will be assessed in relation to the increasingly limited and commercialised world of art, experimental and avant-garde cinema. The film festival is thus considered as a key site of international film culture. As a place where all aspects of film culture (art, economic, entertainment) come together, the festival is demonstrated as case study in the business of contemporary filmmaking, its past and its future.

View detailed information in the Handbook

100 point program

I year full time / 2 years part time

Compulsory subjects

Students complete 62.5 points of compulsory subjects.

Accordion
Principles of Arts Management · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the theories, processes, and practices behind strategic planning and decision-making in arts organisations today. In addition to generic management issues, students will be asked to identify and analyse issues specific to the arts industry. Students will be introduced to core issues in arts management, including arts leadership; strategic planning; governance; organisational structuring; funding and financing; audience experience; conflict and negotiation; sustainability; diversity; equity; and inclusion. Emergent concepts and approaches in the field such as co-creation and agile project management will also be considered.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Cultural Policy · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to theoretical perspectives on arts and cultural policy and explains how various historical, political, and cultural contexts shape cultural policies in different nation states. The subject provides a broad overview of multiple aspects of cultural policies including regulating public arts, preserving national cultural heritage, contributing to sustainable economic, environmental, and urban development, as well as protecting cultural diversity on local and global levels. The subject explains how different political and cultural actors are involved in complex processes of creating, communicating, restructuring, or resisting cultural policies and how they affect local economies, reframe social and cultural composition of communities, as well as contribute to place branding.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Arts Operations · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of commercial operations in an arts and cultural context, including financial management, budgeting, contracts, grants, and resource management. This subject includes an examination of the principles of financial reporting for arts organisations; the preparation and evaluation of financial budgets, particularly for grants; and a survey of critical operational logistics related to contracts, staffing, and resource management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Economics of Culture · 12.5 pts

This wholly online subject examines the arts and culture as part of an economic system. Students are introduced to diverse approaches to the economic characterisation of arts and cultural production including culture as a public good, the creative industries paradigms and the role of taxation policies and private support for cultural activity. Different sectors of the arts and cultural industry will be analysed from highly commercialised free-market operations to fully government-funded structures.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Applied Research Methods · 12.5 pts

This subject is an overview of the qualitative and quantitative methods used in researching the Arts and Cultural sector. The course will cover research design, implementation, analysis and communication of results. Particular focus will be paid to the application of research in professional settings.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 1

-

Accordion
Arts Management Placement · 25 pts

This capstone subject consists of two components: 1) Classroom component and 2) Placement.

For the classroom component, students will participate in a series of seminars that examine current trends in the cultural and creative industries. As part of the classroom component, students will also conduct original research on an approved topic selected in consultation with the subject coordinator. The research project will be in the field of arts and cultural management as applied to a single art form or cross-art form projects such as festivals, multimedia projects or international exchange in the arts and will draw on theoretical literature.

For the placement component, students will be assisted to find a placement in a professional working environment where they will gain direct exposure to professional practice in their chosen field. They will work under the guidance of a senior staff member, with additional support from the subject coordinator. Students will be required to complete 150 hours of on-site work experience to fulfill this component of the subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 2

-

Accordion
Arts Management Project · 25 pts

This capstone subject requires teams of students to work in cross-disciplinary teams to conceive and complete an entrepreneurial arts project over the semester. Each project will apply knowledge learned within their program and require students to conceive, design and deliver a project that utilises a range of arts management and curatorial skills over 138 hours. Projects will be completed under the supervision of the subject coordinators, supported by Project Labs that cover practitioner-oriented methodologies. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information, develop professional networks and team skills to support the delivery of professional outcomes, and seek and receive constructive feedback in various settings. Over the course of the semester, students will present on their plan of work, reflect on their professional development across their degree and construct a professional portfolio that showcases their arts industry-relevant skills.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Capstone stream 3

Students taking this capstone stream must complete both minor thesis subjects.

Accordion
Arts Management Thesis Part 1 · 18.75 pts

Students enrolled in this subject will undertake a piece of research in arts management approved by the course coordinator. The research will incorporate both theoretical inquiry and primary research. On completion of the subject, students will submit a minor thesis on their chosen research topic. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.

The subject coordinator can turn down the proposal (and thereby entry into the Minor Thesis) if the subject of the proposed Minor Thesis does not sufficiently align with the focus of the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Arts Management Thesis Part 2 · 18.75 pts

Students enrolled in this subject will undertake a piece of research in arts management approved by the course coordinator. The research will incorporate both theoretical inquiry and primary research. On completion of the subject, students will submit a minor thesis on their chosen research topic. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.The subject coordinator can turn down the proposal (and thereby entry into the Minor Thesis) if the subject of the proposed Minor Thesis does not sufficiently align with the focus of the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Elective subjects

12.5 points or no elective points for the Minor Thesis option.

Accordion
Interpreting Exhibitions · 12.5 pts

This subject will examine the various strategies employed by museums and galleries to frame the objects and ideas in their care and in order to communicate to the public about them. It will consider how these display strategies have changed over time, but its principal focus will nonetheless be on current exhibition and display settings, from contemporary art spaces to science and natural history museums. What is the best way - if any - to frame a particular exhibition? What sorts of communications messages should curators and exhibition designers seek to convey to museum and gallery visitors? How effectively do galleries and museums communicate their ideas? What role does the public have in engaging with the objects and ideas in museum and gallery display settings? These and other questions will be asked in order to critically interrogate the idea of the exhibition as a meeting point between the institution and the public and as a site of a charged dialogue of meaning between all the players in the exhibition circuit: from the institution, to the objects and/or ideas in the institution, and on to the public who comes to engage with them. On completion of the subject students should be able to apply a range of critical theoretical, art historical and museological approaches to the study of exhibitions and displays in historical and contemporary settings.

View detailed information in the Handbook

General

Accordion
Collection Management · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the theory and practice of collection management as applied to collections of visual cultural material, with emphasis on works of art. This can range from wider debates regarding significance, ‘canons’ of art history and the impact of new technologies to specific skills associated with accessioning and de-accessioning, cataloguing systems, and collection policies. The subject will be taught in collaboration with the staff of the University of Melbourne’s Ian Potter Museum of Art.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Curating Art in Practice · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the professional practices of curating art through engagement with University collections and exhibition spaces. The subject will introduce students to a range of practical professional skills required to curate art in a wide variety of contexts. Students will gain familiarity with recent theories of art curatorship, and explore how these can be put into practice in an art exhibition. Students will also acquire skills in responding critically to collections, devising practical displays and installing art, as well as conceptualising and producing innovative exhibition tools, such as catalogues, labels and public programs, that serve to connect audiences with art in meaningful ways.

View detailed information in the Handbook

History and Philosophy of Museums · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the growth of the museum from its origins in the wunderkammer and antiquarian collections of the 16th century to the dynamic and constantly shifting field of possibilities available to museums today. The subject charts the progression of the museum from the private collections of the Renaissance and Baroque to the vast public institutional spaces of the late 18th and 19th centuries, and beyond. Students will also address the various functions of the museum in Western culture from its inception to the present day. Special attention will be given to the ways in which the changing objectives of the museum (e.g. entertainment, propaganda, education) are reflected in the architecture, design and the display techniques developed in different countries at different times. Students should develop an understanding of the relationship between museums and concepts of national and cultural identity, focusing on their development within Australia and internationally.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Biennales, Triennales and Documentas · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the exhibition of contemporary art in international survey exhibitions since the 1960s, delineating the methods that curators and directors have tested in response to the needs of art museums, bureaucracies, artists and publics across a range of geographic settings. The subject will examine a sequence of exhibitions from Australia and overseas, including early, national pavilion-based Venice Biennales, the director-driven 1970s Documentas, the 1980s global circuit of Biennales (including Sydney's), the newer Asian biennales (including Brisbane's Asia-Pacific triennials), the commercial art fairs (Frieze and the New York Armory Show). The subject considers these exhibitions' impact on contemporary art, as well as the roles of sponsorship, philanthropy and exhibition directors.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Understanding Contemporary Art Writing · 12.5 pts

This subject will introduce students to the theory and practice of writing on contemporary art and the moving image. The distinct professional genres in which art writing is practised will be analysed as will the recent history of art theory. The subject will survey innovations and developments that have taken place in recent criticism, curatorship and critical writing, as well as discuss the theories, trends and shifts in current and future writing on art and the moving image. The goal of the subject is to develop the overlapping skills of active, critical reading combined with student understanding of critical theory and art.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Museology in Florence · 12.5 pts

This subject is taught on location in the major European art centre Florence, Italy, using the social, economic, geographical and cultural effects of the art centre as a case study of historical and contemporary culture. It will investigate Florence's most important museums and private collections, in order to understand their place in the origin and development of the museum as an institutional type from the Renaissance to today Students will study the display and consumption of art, allowing consideration of recent developments in museology, arts policy, commodity theory and cultural tourism.

A quota of 20 students applies to this subject. Please see 'Eligibility and Requirements' for further information on how to apply for this subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Audiences and the Arts · 12.5 pts

This subject examines audience development, engagement, and retention in arts and cultural activities. It engages with a variety of professional techniques including experience design, programming and content analysis, analysis of audience types and segments, aspects of audience experience, methods for audience research and analysis, and elements of access and barriers to entry. Lectures and seminars will address a range of themes underpinning audiences in the arts and cultural sectors, include research into attitudes to the arts, economic and social trends that impact on attendance at arts events, and the role of artists as promoters of their own work. There will be guest lectures throughout the semester.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Partnering and Fundraising in the Arts · 12.5 pts

The aim of this subject is to provide students with knowledge, insight and skills in the practice of managing key stakeholders in cultural organisations. Its particular focus will be on stakeholder relationships. Topics will include but not be limited to: internal stakeholders such as Boards and staff and external stakeholders such as donors and sponsors. In looking at internal stakeholders, the focus will be on effective people management including relationships between Boards and management, management and staff, and management and unions. In exploring external stakeholders, this subject will provide students with an understanding of the role of philanthropy, development activities and fundraising in the cultural not-for-profit sector.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Managing Creative Content · 12.5 pts

This subject examines the practical legal aspects and issues associated with the management of intellectual property in the area of creative production in Australia. The focus is on contracts and intellectual property in the rapidly changing technological environment of the arts. The context includes film and multimedia production and distribution, fashion and design, the commissioning and production of public art, the creation and presentation of performing arts; the management of museum and gallery collections and the administration of artistic and literary estates.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Marketing the Arts · 12.5 pts

This subject investigates the diversity of marketing forms, practices and strategies used across the breadth of arts organisations. Students will explore a range of influential marketing concepts, investigating the evolution from traditional forms of engagement to contemporary innovations in this area. Seminars will explore the interrelationship between communication theory and practice, identifying pivotal issues and influential concepts in arts marketing. Topics include strategic marketing planning, branding, pricing and communications. Students will engage in an advanced study of scholarly approaches and contemporary debates in the field as well as applying marketing tools and techniques.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cultural Festivals and Special Events · 12.5 pts

Cultural festivals, carnivals and special events are a prominent feature of arts and cultural activities at the local, national and international level. Through a series of international and local case studies, this subject will examine the economic and artistic origins of and rationales for these events in the context of a range of theoretical framings. Students will be asked to consider a variety of professional and critical approaches to evaluating these events, including programming and content analysis, audiences, creative labour, place-making strategies and the role of artistic directors. The influence of ritual, invented traditions and the carnivalesque in contemporary festival practices, along with the historical and political underpinning of festivals, will also be explored in order to appreciate the diverse range of interests that are served by such events and the social and political contexts within which they take place.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Global Perspectives on Arts Management · 12.5 pts

This subject examines social, political, economic, and cultural backgrounds shaping arts and cultural management around the world. The subject combines a study of history, theory, and practice to consider the development of cultural industries and the growing demands of working collaboratively internationally and across cultures. The approach to the material is through lectures, readings, class discussions, and case studies relating to cultural industries and organisations from around the globe, which may include festivals, museums, art galleries, and film. Students completing this subject will gain a better understanding of the diverse global, regional, and national contexts for the dynamic arts and cultural sector as well as a cross-cultural and international outlook.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cultural Complexity and Intelligence · 12.5 pts

How do we adapt to new cultural settings and function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity? How do we orient ourselves to knowledge that accounts for cultural complexity? This subject addresses these questions by examining cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence is concerned not only with producing social and institutional sustainability but the frameworks and practices which enable people to thrive in, belong to and enhance the communities in which they live and work. This subject will examine: management approaches to cultural intelligence, cultural complexity theory, everyday multiculturalism and cultural diversity planning, across a range of sites and case studies including the multi-ethnic workplace, the cross-cultural marketplace, social contract learning, cultural statistics, creative industries, social media and open source intelligence. Introducing the cultural dimensions of organisational strategy, governance and competency, students will learn how cultural intelligence can potentially mitigate cultural complexity.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Serial Storytelling · 12.5 pts

Students will read a range of fictional and non-fictional narratives written in the late 20th and early 21 st centuries for serial publication, such as Maupin’s Tales of the City books or ABC’s Please Like Me. Students will analyse these texts with a focus on the relationship between serial distribution and storytelling form, and with particular attention given to historical transformations and new developments.

Students will also read critical approaches to serial narrative concentrating on textual forms, genre, criticism, technologies of production and distribution, industrial formations of production and distribution, cultural contexts, and modes of audience engagement. Students will work to devise a concept outline for an original serial narrative for print, online, audio or screen delivery (e.g. online prose series, television series or podcast series), and write selected instalments.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Professional Literacies · 12.5 pts

This subject aims to develop effective written communication skills for use in professional workplace contexts. It is designed for graduate students, who are speakers of English as an additional language. Given the wide range of professional workplaces and modes of writing found within these, this subject aims to help students reflect on the different contexts and interactions that are at stake in professional reading and writing. It will do this by teaching students techniques of text analysis to assist them in identifying the conventions of a variety of genres encountered in the workplace. Students will also develop skills in structuring and writing texts that respond appropriately and flexibly to a range of communicative purposes and audiences. Particular attention will be paid to workplace modes of writing (including promotional and hortatory text types), and to the processes of collaborative professional writing.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Intercultural Professional Communication · 12.5 pts

This subject enhances students’ ability to communicate effectively and strategically in English-speaking professional settings in Australia and internationally. Students will acquire research-based discourse analytic tools to understand workplace cultures and norms of interaction, and develop practical skills in advanced spoken and email-based workplace interaction. Topics include opening and closing conversations, engaging in small talk, raising sensitive issues with peers and superior, making and responding to requests, complaints, and refusals from a position of strength and weakness, structuring short ad hoc speeches, participating in job interviews, and understanding cultural norms of humour, sarcasm and non-literal language use. There will be an emphasis throughout on intercultural differences and awareness raising of how cultural norms impact interaction.

Note: This subject is aimed at speakers of English as an additional language. It is not suitable for native speakers of English.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Cross Cultural Management and Teamwork · 12.5 pts

This subject explores key issues facing managers of international businesses. These include the need to develop skills in cross-cultural communication, negotiation, conflict resolution and global teamwork within the firm and with other parties in host countries. This subject further explores how managers respond positively to the challenges of using a multi-cultural workforce, including expatriates, global teams and operating a business in a number of culturally-distinct environments.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Working in Indigenous Cultural Contexts · 12.5 pts

This subject will examine the diversity of protocols and management practices that arts and cultural managers need to be cognisant of when working in Australian Indigenous cultural contexts. Examining management concerns and practices across a range of art forms in both urban and remote settings, this subject assists in preparing arts and cultural managers to work with Indigenous artists and arts communities. The subject will present a contemporary overview of the significance of arts in Australian Indigenous social history and explore the nature of indigenous protocols, Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, the role of criticism in the development of Australian Indigenous arts and the practice of management in the Australian Indigenous cultural contexts.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Media Convergence and Digital Culture · 12.5 pts

This subject offers an advanced critical examination of the impact of digital technology on contemporary media industries and cultural practices. We will examine the way the internet and new modes of collaborative production in the Web 2.0 environment are driving the transformation of all media sectors, including cinema, music, video, gaming and television. Through case studies in these sectors and close analysis of contemporary internet practices, students will engage with key debates about digital culture, including the transformation of audiences, the emergence of new media platforms, the role of peer to peer networks and social media and the changing nature of power in the digital era.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Online Community Management · 12.5 pts

This subject is designed to give students training in the knowledge and skills required to be effective online community managers. It presents advanced understanding of the theories, practices, responsibilities, and ethical considerations of managing online communities in participatory spaces, whether for brands or media organisations. Using practical examples and case studies it demonstrates the importance of excellent community management and engagement within the online communications space. Students will be given an opportunity to translate their knowledge into practice through assignments designed to engage them in the work of community management.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Leadership and Team Dynamics · 12.5 pts

As organisations have gradually shifted towards using more team-based work structures, one of the main challenges in the modern workplace is how to effectively lead and manage teams. This subject deals with this challenge by focusing on understanding the principles of leadership in organisations and the fundamentals of team structure of team processes. Topics considered include: the structure of teams within organisations; differences in team members; managing interpersonal dynamics in teams; theories of leadership; the role of managers as organisational leaders; human resource and organisational factors that impact leading teams effectively.

View detailed information in the Handbook

People and Change · 12.5 pts

This subject examines individual and collective human behaviour in and around issues of organisational change. The subject will cover a broad theoretical basis that assists in understanding how change at the employee, group and strategic levels affects individuals. Both the planned approach and emergent approach to change management will be considered. Topics to be covered include: drivers of change, the role of internal and external change agents, tools for successful change management, and the implementation and consequences of specific change initiatives.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Project Management · 12.5 pts

The use of project management techniques has risen sharply. Examples of projects include research and development studies, reorganisation efforts, implementation of change programs, installation of a new piece of equipment, advertising campaigns, construction, organising special events and other one-off endeavours. The subject will cover the key drivers of project success, training and leadership in project environments. Project selection is the first critical set of decisions. Matching of the projects selected to the organisation’s strategy is taken as the starting point. Practical tools and techniques will then be introduced to manage the project or special event for success. The subject will also involve the use of an appropriate Project Management software package such as MS Project.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Leaders, Business & Culture in Florence · 12.5 pts

How are successful cultural businesses built? How do we understand the business of art and culture, and what is the role of leadership and entrepreneurialism in the cultural sector? Florence has been famous as a centre of European culture, industry, trade and finance through the ages. The Florentine industrial district provides a model of development that we can draw on today to inform understandings of contemporary finance, marketing and customer service. Taught on location in Florence, this subject examines both the unique Florentine complex of cultural and commercial interests, and also other Australian and European approaches to the creation of business models in the arts and cultural sectors. Through case studies, site visits and industry comparisons, it explores how to build business models that can go from good to great.

Please see 'Eligibility and Requirements' for further information on how to apply for this subject.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Social Enterprise Incubator · 12.5 pts

This experiential learning subject introduces students to the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship, while equipping students with a practical understanding of social enterprise as a model to tackle social and/or environmental problems through trade. Working in small teams, students are introduced to a range of design thinking and social innovation frameworks. They draw on these frameworks to iteratively conceptualise, ‘pitch’, refine and develop a social enterprise ‘business model’ that appropriately responds to the needs of communities and society. To nurture and support development of ideas, the subject draws on real-world case studies as well as industry guests from the social enterprise ecosystem including social entrepreneurs, people with ‘lived-experience’, social finance and impact investment intermediaries, incubators and accelerators and leading scholars and thinkers in the field. Upon completing this subject, students will develop a critical understanding of the theoretical foundations of social entrepreneurship and how to develop a ‘business model’ for financially sustainable social impact. By doing so, the subject also offers a unique opportunity for students to apply conceptual knowledge and project management and business skills to real-world social and/or environmental challenges.

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Writing and Editing for Digital Media · 12.5 pts

This subject introduces students to the principles and practices of writing and editing for digital media. It provides students with an understanding of and practical skills in writing for different online contexts and genres, including websites, online essays, multimedia stories, social media content, and search engine optimisation. Students will apply these skills using their existing disciplinary expertise to develop and creative contribute to platforms focused on their professional industries.

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Legal Issues in Arts and Media · 12.5 pts

This subject addresses ethical issues and legal constraints related to working in the arts and culture sector, including publishing for print and digital media. It will review existing ethical codes and the mechanisms established to police them, as well as offering an overview of how practices are shaped by law relating to such matters as intellectual property, contracts, negligence, privacy, defamation and respect for cultural differences. On successfully completing this subject, students will have gained an understanding of a wide range of ethical and legal considerations for their professional practice.

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Book Markets: Structures and Strategies · 12.5 pts

As the trade book market in all its forms continues to adapt to the impact of new technologies, this subject examines the resulting seismic changes, the fast-changing impacts of digital technologies on the publishing supply chain and the shifting strategic contribution of marketing to the publishing process. We study the changing structure of the market, including analysis of the changing role of publishers, wholesalers, bricks and mortar retailers (both specialist and non-specialist) and online providers on the supply side; and examine demographic, cultural and social factors influencing the structure of demand. We explore factors affecting the competitive environment, including the impact of digital technologies on the print supply chain and the interaction between old and new media. We use case studies to highlight the issues of market segmentation, branding and product placement. Assessment tasks focus on researching specific market segments and developing practical, commercially astute marketing strategies.

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The International Publishing Industry · 12.5 pts

This subject provides an overview of the global publishing industry, examining global book production, translation, the international rights market, multi-media adaptation of books, conglomerate publishing companies, and global practices of reception. Students will gain a critical understanding of professional practices and the issues that define book publishing on a global scale.

This subject compliments PUBL90003 The Contemporary Publishing Industry (which gives students a general overview of the contemporary book publishing sector) and focuses more specifically on the global book trade and the way that professional publishing practice, in myriad forms, happens across national borders.

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Film Production: From Script to Screen · 12.5 pts

This subject will focus on the theoretical and practical elements involved in the production of screen-based content through advanced research, professional insight and contemporary practice. Students will gain specialised theoretical and practical grounding in the screen-based content production life cycle including: the ‘pitch’; script and story development; funding and financing; pre-production, principal photography and post-production; and transmedia production and distribution. The Australian screen production sector will be situated within the context of a highly globalised industry. Other areas under investigation include the role of industry and policy stakeholders; support for emerging content creators; forms of marketing and promotion; new technology and workflows; and cross-platform production strategies.

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Film Festival Cultures · 12.5 pts

This subject is a study of the development of international film festival cultures and their historical and contemporary role in art house and national cinemas. Through an examination of the history and the basic operations of selected film festivals (such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance and Melbourne), the changing nature of film festival cultures will be considered. Students will further enhance their knowledge of film festivals either by devising and mounting a film festival as a group project, or attending and reporting on an existing film festival. The popularisation of film festivals and their role in international event and celebrity culture will be assessed in relation to the increasingly limited and commercialised world of art, experimental and avant-garde cinema. The film festival is thus considered as a key site of international film culture. As a place where all aspects of film culture (art, economic, entertainment) come together, the festival is demonstrated as case study in the business of contemporary filmmaking, its past and its future.

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