Applied Management Research

This track is designed for aspiring practitioners seeking to develop robust, evidence-based solutions for the complex challenges facing contemporary arts organizations and creative collectives. Moving beyond pure theory, the curriculum immerses students in the practical realities of the cultural sector, equipping them with the strategic business research skills necessary for successful management in the creative sector. The track focuses on applied research methodologies to address core management functions, that may include sustainable fundraising, strategic art marketing, dynamic audience development, or cultural policy design and analysis, among others.

Students will engage with real-world case studies and live briefs, learning to diagnose organizational needs, analyze market conditions, and evaluate policy impacts. The emphasis is on developing actionable strategies and practical toolkits that can be directly implemented within a professional context. This involves hands-on experience with designing institutional policies, producing organisational reports, crafting compelling funding proposals, or designing innovative public engagement campaigns.

This track immerses students in addressing real-world challenges within the creative sector. They will develop a professional solution by working directly with an industry partner or by targeting a self-identified, critical need confronting contemporary arts organizations. The program is designed not merely to understand the creative industries, but to actively shape them. Graduates will be poised for impactful careers as entrepreneurial managers, strategic policymakers, and innovative leaders, equipped to ensure the resilience and relevance of arts organizations in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

• Diagnose Organizational Challenges: Formulate a focused research inquiry by identifying a practical problem faced by an arts organization and articulating it as a clear research question.

• Apply Sector Intelligence: Critically analyze and synthesize data from key sector sources, including cultural policies, industry reports, and audience data, to inform strategic decision-making.

• Design Actionable Solutions: Develop a rigorous, evidence-based project (e.g., a business plan, marketing strategy, or funding proposal) that addresses a defined organizational need.

• Utilize Professional Methods: Select and justify appropriate methodological tools, such as SWOT analysis, audience surveys, and financial modeling, to collect and analyze data relevant to arts management.

• Communicate Strategic Value: Professionally present research findings and recommendations to stakeholders, effectively demonstrating the practical impact and operational feasibility of the proposed solution.

The key output is a practical and actionable product, such as a business portfolio, a full-scale campaign, an in-depth policy analysis, or an operational toolkit. The key requirement is that the solution is original, evidence-based, and grounded in rigorous industry research. The final product must be conceived and presented with a high degree of professional polish, ready for implementation by an art organization or collective. It should be accompanied by a 4,000-word critical exegesis. This exegesis is a reflective and analytical document that justifies the professional project as a rigorous research outcome. It should include:

• Sector Diagnosis: A clear articulation of the identified problem, its significance within the creative industries, and the specific organizational or sectoral context.

• Research & Methodology: A detailed account of the evidence-gathering process, including the sources of industry data (e.g., market reports, audience surveys, policy documents) and the analytical methods used.

• Theoretical & Practical Synthesis: An explanation of how academic theories, management models, and sector best practices informed the development of the proposed solution.

• Critical Evaluation: A reflective analysis of the solution's potential impact, its limitations, and an assessment of its feasibility, sustainability, and ethical considerations.

• Professional Reflection: A statement on the project's contribution to professional practice and how it demonstrates the student's readiness to operate as a reflective practitioner in the field.