"Business" Education for Artists

I firmly believe that the performing arts needs a corps of "non-creative" professionals who can run the industry effectively. People who can let our talented artists improve their skill and perform more. Cynically you might say that it gives people like me a place in the industry.

It seems like madness that an artist has to create, produce and then manage their work to be able to perform. In any other sector we bring in others who specialise in a particular field like financial management, human resources, logistics and so on; and yet artists are expected to do all this and provide a world class performance. Ask any creative and all they want to do is perform / create. Unfortunately there is often not the work - unless you create it yourself. In South Africa the arts courses focus on the creative aspect of the arts with a few modules on the business of the arts. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all our higher institutions offered a business of the arts programme?


This idea has been growing over the past three years which has led me to research the curriculum for arts studies in the USA, UK, Europe and Australia. The arts is seen as a reputable profession that needs trained / qualified people. The programmes focus on the above aspects as well as technical skills, arts history, arts education / audience development as well as performance. 

Butts In the Seats takes this as a given but focuses on the teaching of the curriculum referring to an excellent article by The Savvy Musicians Blog called Reimagining Higher Education for the Arts. Cutler suggests that students looking for a career in the arts need to be more than just talented artists. They need to be good collaborators and have some basic entrepreneurial ambitions.

Internet Ideas for Artists

I often joke about being a technophobe and a dinosaur who uses pen and notebook as preferred form of recording. However even I am being dragged into the 21st Century (kicking and screaming all the way). Ironically I am an avid collector (or hoarder if you ask Paul) of information and so am completely in love with the internet. I have become a regular follower of arts blogs and getting the most amazing information and ideas from all over the world. My favourite is Butts in the Seats.


Through various links I came across the Internet For Artists Handbook web site. It is fabulous with very clear and simple explanations of all aspects of using the internet and social media to promote the arts. There are also links to best practice in each media - wonderful. Now I just have to implement them all