MODULE: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ARTS MANAGEMENT
Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management students give a presentation at the Contemporary Issues in Arts Management conference in the final year of their degree.
The Brief
Contemporary Issues in Arts Management is the final module that students study on the Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management degree here at LIPA. Annually, we invite ten speakers currently working within the industry to talk for one session each about the future of the arts, music, theatre and entertainment.
Speakers over the years have included Cameron Mackintosh, David Pugh and Pippa Ailion, with Marcus Romer of Pilot Theatre, Music Lawyer Ann Harrison, and Kate Kinninmont talking this year.
The assessment for the course is done via a presentation, and these presentations combined have become our Contemporary Issues in Arts Management conference.
The module aims to build upon the first two years of classes, assessments and projects that they have completed throughout the course of their degree, as well as the three month extended placement that they complete within the arts and entertainments industry.
This year’s conference featured 32 of our final year Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management students presenting individual papers discussing the specific challenges facing the arts industry in 2011. With a wide ranging programme featuring talks on dance, music, theatre, television, social media and gaming, each speaker provided a full, frank and often funny examination of the technologies and issues currently affecting the arts and new media professions.
“The Contemporary Issues in Arts Management module helps students to specialise and become an expert in what they’re interested in,” said Maria Barrett, the Module Leader.
“It provides them with all the skills they need to be able to go to an interview with really good knowledge of a subject that’s germane to their career.”
What happened next?
Matthew Campbell was one of the students who presented at the conference. He describes his presentation thus:
“My presentation was on the use of social issues in soaps, and I used Eastenders as a case study because of my love of the programme and because I’ve also got a keen interest in television.
I took an in-depth look at storylines such as the famous baby swap plot over Christmas and the sexual exploitation of Whitney Dean. My research required me to watch a lot of Eastenders, analyse the press coverage, get some statistics and figures and compile these into a half hour presentation.
Contemporary Issues in Arts Management has enabled me to explore and discuss the issues I’m most interested in, discuss them with my peers and network with others within the industry. It’s also something that I can present to future employers should I want to pursue a career in television drama.”
Tutor Comment
Maria Barrett: “The young people who have presented throughout the Contemporary Issues in Arts Management conference aren’t just managers who will get jobs within the industry, they’re managers who will shape our industry in the future. They’re already thinking about what the obstacles and challenges are, and how they can break the mould. I think that an event like CIAM is invaluable for someone entering into the industry in a management position.”
Student Comment
Matthew Campbell: “My time at LIPA has been the best three years of my life. The Music, Theatre and Entertainment management degree has enabled me to do things which I could never ever have dreamed of doing if I wasn’t here. I’ve worked on some fantastic projects, I’ve made some fantastic networks, and it’s even gotten me my first job after I graduate. It just equips you with all of the skills you need to succeed as a modern arts manager.”
CIAM 2011 IMAGE GALLERY
All images copyright of Robby Wilkinson, 2011
CIAM 2011 VIDEO INTERVIEWS
3rd year Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management student, Matthew Campbell, talks about the presentation he gave at CIAM 2011