UNDERGRADUATE
MUSI2079 Introduction to Arts Administration
Course Type: disciplinary elective for music majors/minors, free elective for others
Prerequisite: NIL (admission by interview)
Instructor: Ms. Sharon LU
Semester: First and Second Semesters 2024/25 (this is a year-long course)
Time: 12:30pm–2:20pm, Friday
Venue: CRT-11.01 Seminar Room
This year-long course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of arts administration, with a strong supervised practicum element. Through discussions, interaction with guest speakers, and hands-on internship experience in concert presentation, major topics to be explored include planning, development, marketing, artist relations, production, outreach, venue management, as well as issues and challenges commonly faced by arts administrators today.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different types of organisations in the arts and the functions/roles of arts administrators;
  • demonstrate knowledge of the variety of career paths available in the field of arts administration and the characteristics and qualities required to be an effective arts administrator;
  • demonstrate the ability to assess the different problem-solving techniques of leading arts administrators;
  • demonstrate the ability to recognise and analyse the management issues presented in internships, seek creative solutions and reflect on the internship experience.
Class Participation, Attendance and Punctuality 10%
Internship Performance 70% (35% each semester)
2 Reflection Papers
20% (10% each semester)
  • Production and Stage Management
  • Artist Servicing & Backstage Management
  • Front of House Management
  • Sound Recording for Concerts
  • Organisational Structures
  • Cultural Leadership & Policy
  • Legal Matters: Intellectual Properties &Contracts
  • The Planning Process: Strategic Planning, Programming & Budgeting
  • Marketing & Fundraising: The Concepts
  • Fundraising: Corporate Sponsorship, Grants & Donation
  • Marketing: Public Relations, Promotion & Advertising
  • Audience Development & Outreach
  • Events Documentation
  • Venue and Facility Management
  • Cultural Democracy & Current Issues
  • Arts in the Community
  • Interview Skills and Reporting
  • PracticalExperience Sharing
Selected readings and listening/viewing materials are either available on Moodle or on reserve at the Music Library.