Cultural Events Management

Over the past 20 years, there has been an explosion of cultural and commercial events across the world, from local creative events to international, multidisciplinary festivals that transform major cities such as Edinburgh. This course will equip you with the vibrant learning environment, practical experience, and supported self-directed study needed to understand the synergies, theory and practice of developing and managing cultural and arts-based events.

The curriculum covers the expansive variety of cultural events. During the course you will learn what it takes to organise community-based celebrations, local events, established festival networks, high art festivals, live music events, and large-scale international events. You could work with organisations such as the British Arts Festivals Association, Festival Republic (the company behind Latitude and Reading festivals), U-Live or The Spark Festival, a children’s art festival. Through guest lectures and workshops, you will also have opportunities to meet and network with professionals from the cultural events industry.

The events landscape is ever-changing and professionals in the sector must be adept problem-solvers, with the ability to embrace new challenges and offer dynamic solutions. This course will help equip you with the skills to adapt to the diversification of the sector, with practical projects enabling you to experience online event delivery and digital arts and cultural content, as well as giving you the opportunity to tackle the real-life challenges of engaging audiences in increasingly innovative ways.

Throughout the course you will combine the academic study of case studies and primary research with the real-world practical experience of organising events. This hands-on approach will grow your key skills in leadership, marketing, business planning and website design – all essential tools to succeed and forge your path as a leader in this dynamic and vibrant industry.

Key features

• This course offers a specialised focus on cultural events, the cultural sector and the festival community and is tailored to meet the needs of this dynamic and expanding industry.
• Explore the relationship between culture, business and management, to develop your skills in devising and managing cultural and commercial events.
• Have the option of undertaking a year-long work placement, and gain valuable experience to further enhance your practical and professional skills.
• Work with key DMU partners such as British Arts Festivals Association, De Montfort Hall and Festival Republic.
• Teaching is led by professionally active experts, whose knowledge will place you at the forefront of new trends and developments. Many of our academics are researching festivals, such as Latitude and Leicester Comedy Festival. Their involvement creates opportunities for your own research projects and placements.
• Have the opportunity to get involved in organising and running DMU’s annual week-long Cultural eXchanges Festival.