About BA (Honours) in Business Studies and Arts Management

What is Arts Management?

Arts Management is about understanding business and applying
this knowledge to Arts and Cultural organisations. This programme
is recognised as a general business studies degree that focuses specifically on Arts Management. It is unique in Ireland, with an excellent reputation, and gives you all the relevant skills to manage arts businesses, such as galleries, art centres and event organisations.

Learning from experience is vital, and part of this programme involves hands-on activities, e.g. running visual, music and performance related events, participating in business games, debates and cultural field trips. Small class sizes facilitate the running of projects which are work-based and simulate real world activities. Additionally, in Year 3 you will spend 20 weeks working in arts and cultural organisations in both the public and private sector. Student work is assessed continuously and contributes significantly to your overall result.

Upon completion of the programme you will:

• have a well-developed knowledge of management, finance and marketing
  and how they relate to the creative complexities within cultural organisations
• be able to conceptualise, develop, plan and manage a cultural event, as well
  as developing audience development plans
• be able to identify, develop and apply business solutions that help cultural organisations to succeed
• think critically in light of social, cultural, community and ethical business issues.

Aims and Objectives

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

You can consider a career as a Project/Event Manager or Arts Manager in Museums, Galleries, Theatres, Festivals and Events.

The transferable skills you acquire can also be applied to a host of cultural activities.
You may also continue your studies to Masters Degree level, in Ireland or abroad.

What subjects will I study?

• Year 1: Management, Arts in Context, Marketing, Introduction to Theatre, Introduction to Music, Computer Applications, Learning and Research Methods


• Year 2: Accounting I, Cultural Sector Analysis, Critical thinking, Marketing Research, Visual Arts Studies, Event Management I, Performing Arts Studies or Theatre


• Year 3:Event Management II, Public Relations and Audience Development, Human Resource Management, Multimedia, Film, Placement


• Year 4: Accounting II, Cultural Policy, Strategic Management for the Arts, Popular Music Management, New Media Technologies, Law

What are the Entry Requirements?

Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) with a minimum of grade C3 in 2 higher (or common) level papers together with Grade D3 in 4 other subjects to include English, Mathematics, and 1 other language, e.g. Irish, French, etc. Foundation level Maths (D3) is acceptable.

Applicants with FETAC awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules. FETAC Links for this programme are:

BBSXX Business Studies
BMXXX Marketing
ECAXX Community Arts
EPADX Dance
EPAMX Music
EPATD Theatre Production

We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.

Student profile: David Keegan

Upon leaving IADT, I started working for the National Gallery of Ireland as the acting education officer for a three-month period. In this position, largely limited to administration and paperwork, there were elements of outreach and education with children, which I found particularly rewarding.

I then worked as an events manager in Tipperary Excel. My responsibilities included programming, marketing, artist liaison, program co-ordination, outreach and development.

In 3rd year, I actively sought out placement with Ballymun Regeneration (Breaking Ground) after a lecture at IADT from Aisling Prior, the director. In her lecture, I caught a glimpse of the type of person I wanted to become and the nature of the work I wanted to do. The work I became involved in included working on “Amaptocare”, one of Europe’s largest permanent art installations with the artist Jochen Gerz. There were elements of outreach, project management and administration amongst other duties and responsibilities. The most advantageous elements of the programme work which I could apply to the placement included event management and strategic management.

In August 2007, I was hired as Marketing and Box Office manager of the Pavilion Theatre where the practical skills I learned at IADT and applied to my current position include HRM, strategic management, event management, etc. My degree provided me with both the academic knowledge and practical experience to feel confident as well as capable enough to begin my career in the arts.

As it panned out the contacts I made as a direct result of my placement provided me with my first break in the Arts. I personally feel that Business & Arts Management combination of theoretical and practical learning has played a major part in the success of my career to date.