This module is not currently running in 2023 to 2024.
This module will look at arts funding policy and public funding structures for the arts, including the formation of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the Arts Council and its various models of operation since 1947 through to the current changes being introduced. This will serve to place productions from across the arts within the context of who makes policy and how it is formed, while acting as an introduction to arts funding and the application and measurement process. Students will gain an understanding of the structure of central, regional and local government in as much as they affect the arts. Trust and Foundations that support and nurture the arts are also explored in the context of how these can supplement and develop productions. Sponsorship and commercial involvement is looked at in the ways that this can be integrated into the package. They actively examine and engage with current arts funding issues, aiming to give them the skills to talk with authority to leaders in the arts and funding environment.
In groups and then individually, students will develop their own creative idea, and argue why it should be considered by the Arts Council for funding. The module assesses their creativity and their ability to deliver an idea, including how they will develop audiences and finance and manage their project, meeting the Arts Council's mission of Great art and culture for everyone.
Overall, this module provides students with skills for future career in the arts, either as practitioners or in the administration and delivery, by providing them with useful preparation to realise creative projects in real life in their future. Students who have completed this module have gone on to work in a variety of roles in the arts, including managing and preparing funding applications for the arts.
Student commitment to this module will be 25 hours per week over 12 weeks including:
3 hours per week combined lecture and seminar;
22 hours per week of individual study and preparation.
Total: 300 hours.
Essay: 20%.
A Research Essay of 2000 words
Group presentation: 20%
15 minute presentation, followed by Q&A.
Virtual Funding Application: 40%
A project funding application proposal based on the Arts Council England process 3000 words
Seminar participation, research and professional development: 20%
This is assessed through a mix of peer assessments, attendance, engagement, research presented and written work.
• Byrnes, William. Management and the Arts. Oxford: Focal, 2014. BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Carey, John. What good are the arts? London: Faber, 2006.
• Harvey, Adrian. "Funding Arts and Culture in a Time of Austerity." Arts Council England. April 2016. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/Funding%20Arts%20and%20Culture%20in%20a% 20time%20of%20Austerity%20(Adrian%20Harvey).pdf (accessed August 16, 2016).
• National Campaign for the Arts. "Arts Index 2015." The Guardian: Cultural Professionals Network. 17 March 2015. http://static.guim.co.uk/ni/1426519638916/NCA-Arts-Index-07-14-(web).pdf (accessed August 16, 2016).
• Norton, Michael, and Mike Eastwood. Write Better Fundraising Applications. Fourth Edition. London: Directory of Social Change, 2010.
• Powell, David, Christopher Gordon, and Peter Stark. "Rebalancing Our Cultural Capital: A contribution to the debate on national policy for the arts and culture in England." 31 October 2013. http://www.theroccreport.co.uk/author-comments.php (accessed December 20, 2013).
• The Arts Council England. "The Value of Arts and Culture to People and Society." 2014. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/Value_arts_culture_evidence_review.pdf (accessed September 20, 2014).
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successful completion of the module students will have:
A systematic understanding of the structure of the arts funding system and its history
A systematic and conceptual understanding of the structure of central, regional and local government in as much as they affect the arts
A systematic and conceptual understanding of the development of arts funding policy and an appreciation for the aims and objectives of arts funding
An ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry, and devise and sustain arguments by critically evaluating and understanding the component parts of a bid for funding
A conceptual understanding that enables the student to solve problems and use ideas and techniques to develop an arts funding application
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