MA Arts Management

Q & A with Aidan Plender, Head of Programme

Aidan Plender

What type of background do your students come from?

As a postgraduate course, the Masters in Arts Management attracts students with performing arts degrees who have aspirations to establish their career in Arts Management. We also see mature students applying who have relevant experience in an Arts Management field but that are looking to gain a recognised qualification in order to further their career.

How is the course taught?

The Arts Management courses are modular and taught through a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials. The team of teaching staff are all current practising Arts Managers from a variety of organisations. The course is also supported by visiting speakers who specialise in a number of particular fields. This enables the course to reflect contemporary issues within the industry and ensures that the skills and training is tailored for the profession.

What types of subjects are covered by the course?

Over the duration of the course, students will be expected to work on a variety of individual projects. By the end of the course, all students will have written a full business plan, completed a fundraising proposal, developed a marketing plan, completed an event management project and developed their IT skills. All students must complete a four-to-six week work placement towards the end of their course, where they will be expected to complete a stand-alone project which will draw on a variety of areas covered by the course. The final component of the programme involves completing an independent dissertation on an area of Arts Management which is of particular significance.

The level of personal tuition available here is really high and you will quickly get to know the tutors taking the course. We have a typical course intake of 14 students each year. The fact that we keep numbers low means that we are in a much better position to support you during the course and help shape your qualification depending on your own experience, interests and individual personal career aspirations.

What kind of placements have students done in the past?

Students are supported by RWCMD when finding their placements, and our students make some fantastic contacts whilst studying here. We have had a number of really successful and ongoing placements in organisations such as the Welsh National Opera (WNO), BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Philharmonic Orchestra, City of London Festival, Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Halle Orchestra and the Lighthouse Poole Arts Centre. In many cases, these placements have led to permanent positions after graduating.

Why would you come and study at RWCMD?

Personally, I feel that the course we offer is one of the best practical vocational Arts Management courses available. We have the added advantage of being the only conservatoire to run courses of this type and there is a significant benefit to our students of learning in this environment. The atmosphere of the College is really special and there are a huge number of opportunities here for students across all disciplines; Music, Acting, Stage Management and Theatre Design. To be part of the culture here is hard to describe and is best experienced first-hand but, for anyone with an interest in the arts, RWCMD is a wonderful melting pot of creative and performing talent.

What kind of opportunities are there for Arts Management graduates?

The course provides all our students with an excellent theoretical and vocational training which makes them extremely attractive to potential employers. I am proud of how successful our alumni are. Former students have gone on to establish terrific careers, both in the UK and abroad, which highlights just how good these courses are.

Former students are now working with the following organisations in Wales:

  • Academi
  • Arts Council Wales
  • Arts & Business Wales
  • BBC National Orchestra of Wales
  • Chapter Arts
  • Community Music Wales
  • London Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Music Theatre Wales
  • National Youth Orchestra of Wales
  • Sherman Theatre
  • St David's Hall and the New Theatre
  • Welsh National Opera (WNO)

And the following organisations in the rest of the UK:

  • Aldeburgh Festival
  • Arts & Business
  • Barbican Arts Centre
  • Bath Festival
  • Battersea Arts Centre
  • City of London Festival
  • Edinburgh Fringe
  • Edinburgh International Film Festival
  • English National Opera
  • Halle Orchestra
  • Lighthouse Poole Arts Centre
  • Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)
  • Watershed Bristol