What is Arts Management?

Arts Management is a relatively young field of study in India that creates and trains professionals to successfully develop and manage cultural projects.

Arts Management takes a multi disciplinary approach to the study of art and management.It combines tools of …

• Business (such as management, marketing, planning)
• Culture (such as art appreciation, theories of culture)
• Communication (such as visual design, event management, public relations), and,
• Audience- and community building (such as fundraising, education)

… to build bridges between art, artists and audiences.

Is there a demand for Arts Managers in today's economy?

Undoubtedly, yes. This demand stems from a paradigm shift in thinking about the place & role of arts and culture in contemporary society and economy. With the onset of globalization, a keen interest has developed in the specific relationship between arts and culture and the economic and social development of our communities. Cultural creation, production and presentation have gone from being almost ignored in the economic sphere to being at the centre of new development strategies.

In keeping with these global transformations, India's arts economy too has been growing in new directions, thus radically altering our understanding of the relationship between art, heritage, culture and the economy.

The urgent need in this rapidly changing Indian arts economy is for creative, skilled and professionally qualified managers with a deep and real understanding of culture.

What kinds of career options are available to Arts Management students?

Arts managers are in demand in the following areas of work:

• Cultural tourism
• Indian & international cultural centres
• Museums
• Art galleries
• Tourism & hospitality industries
• Embassies
• Arts & crafts promotion bodies
• Education & the arts
• Entrepreneurial ventures in art & craft development

Will a diploma in Arts Management increase my chances of working in the above-mentioned arts & cultural organizations?

Yes. Most definitely. Arts Management interns from our program develop a solid grounding in the knowledge and skills necessary to work in this evolving field and changing environment.

In addition, our program provides several valuable opportunities to gain practical experience through field studies and involvement in on going projects at DakshinaChitra.

The program also provides opportunities for students to meet and network with people working in the field today.

What are the Arts Management alumni (2004-05 batch) presently doing?

Some of our students work in leading cultural organisatons in Chennai. A few are pursuing higher education in arts & design at prestigious institutions such as the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Opportunities also exist for graduating students to be absorbed by Dakshinachitra.

What kinds of courses are available in the Arts Management program?

The Arts Management program, offered through MCFIAM & DakshinaChitra in Chennai, offers "skills-based" courses (such as marketing and project management) complemented by courses in cultural studies, art appreciation, media & communication and design.

All courses are project oriented and include hands on training and application of classroom learning in real-life arts settings.