Arts Management, Policy and Practice MA

Year of entry: 2025

Course length: 12 Months Full-Time | 24 Months Part-Time

About the course

Our interdisciplinary MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice course covers a wide range of expertise associated with running arts organisations and coordinating arts and cultural programmes and events, as well as the strategic development of art forms, cultural leadership practices and local cultural management.

You’ll draw on broad literatures and sources, covering areas from the creative arts, drama, music, art history, critical theory and cultural economics, to business studies, organisational studies and critical cultural policy studies.

You’ll also develop your knowledge and understanding of the history, theory and practice of arts management to gain an insight into the range of professional opportunities in the creative and cultural sector.

You will explore cultural policy in international and historical contexts, and critically engage with the philosophical, political, social and economic imperatives informing contemporary practice.

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This course consists of taught units and a dissertation, and brings together theory and practice in diverse areas including:

Production and programming
Policy-making
Strategic management and leadership
Finance and resource development
Marketing
Audience development
Engagement and Participation
Education
Research
Evaluation

These are example course units based on 2024/25 options and are subject to change each year.

Where will your degree take you?

As well as going into further research, our postgraduates pursue successful careers as managers, administrators, policy-makers or practitioners in various branches of the arts, cultural and creative industries.

Opportunities exist in:

The public, private, and voluntary sectors
Cultural venues, theatres, opera houses, concert halls, arts centres, museums and galleries
The media, communications, PR and marketing
Orchestras, theatre companies and dance companies
The Arts Council, British Council, local authorities, tourist boards and various funding bodies

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Swarnali Nag

MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice

‘’During my placement as an intern in the Directorate of Communications, Marketing, and Student Recruitment at the University of Manchester, I had the incredible opportunity to significantly develop my skills, gain hands-on experience, and broaden my understanding of key industry practices. This role allowed me to contribute meaningfully while learning from experienced professionals in a dynamic environment. I am deeply grateful to the University of Manchester's Arts Management, Practice and Policy programme for providing me with this invaluable opportunity.’

Alison DiDonato

Development Association, Arts Council of Princeton

MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice

‘’During the MA Arts Management, Policy, and Practice course I was able to gain broader knowledge and significant practical experience, particularly during my work placement at non- profit In Place of War (IPOW). My experience in Manchester allowed me to understand and explore the creative fabric of a city. I gained invaluable practical skills, great friends, and am now able to work toward spreading arts in my community in a meaningful way.’’

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