Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management)

Prepare for a leadership role within the arts and creative industries and learn directly from industry-active academics who have forged successful careers in this exciting industry. Deakin’s Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management) allows you to build business expertise along with the hands-on skills employers are seeking.

Ready to thrive, adapt and lead in a rapidly evolving arts industry?

Gain a competitive advantage by studying the only course of its kind in Australia delivered by a business school. Build connections with like-minded professionals and develop a whole suite of business skills, as well as a solid context around the creative industries and its specific management challenges.

Whether you’re a creative practitioner working at the grassroots level of the industry or looking to move into a more senior position, this course gives you the tools and training to confidently transition into a leadership role within a not-for-profit or commercial organisation.

The course is responsive to trends within the sector, better preparing you for your future role. For example, you might learn how to coordinate a virtual event (an emerging growth area in the industry) or prepare a business plan for a creative industries start up. Through tasks like this, you can apply the fundamentals of business – including management, marketing, finance, human resources and project management – in arts and cultural management contexts.

In addition to core units of study, you can tailor your degree to your career goals by choosing up to four elective units from any Faculty of Business specialisation. Some of your options include:

• Business Strategy and Analysis
• Consumer Behaviour
• Creating Your Arts Business
• Managing Innovation
• Marketing Management.

Students with an interest in events and festivals are encouraged to consider the event management specialisation where skills obtained are not only sought out by employers, they are directly transferable to a range of arts manager roles, such as in visual and performing arts and local government organisations.

The curriculum's connectedness to the sector comes as a result of course content that’s shaped by an advisory board and delivered by industry experts. Working alongside employers and board members within the industry, our academics develop assessments, projects and content that reflect the challenges of the field. Not only are our academics well-connected, they’re also highly credentialed and experienced. From arts managers influencing arts and cultural policies for government, to Presidents of the Green Room Awards, you will be learning from the very best.

As competition for our eyes and ears increases, so too does the demand for arts-literate, industry-savvy leaders who can engage interest, secure support and grow audiences. With a sought-after qualification from a leader in arts management education, you will be ready to take advantage of this demand and reach your full potential.

• Begin the application process

  We have a network of experienced authorised agents around the world who can help you through the application process. They are trained to provide advice and information on Deakin University and our degrees. Find out if you need to use a Deakin authorised agent to submit your application.

• Check entry requirements

  Entry requirements differ depending on your degree or country of residence. Before starting your application, read through the entry requirements on the course page entry requirement tab.

  Need to improve your English language skills?

  You can enrol at the Deakin University English Language Institute and study a course to improve your English language skills. If you pass, this can help you get into most Deakin degrees. Please note, this page is available in both Indonesian and Vietnamese.

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• Certify supporting documents

  Most documents need to be certified. For example, award certificates, academic transcripts and your identity papers (passport). Documents in languages other than English will also need to be translated. Take the original document and a photocopy to an authorised person (for example, justice of the peace, public notary, member of the police force or Australian lawyer), to sign.

  Be sure to attach all requested supporting documentation, otherwise your application could be delayed. If you get your application in early, this gives us more time to arrange visas and accommodation if you need them.

• Submit your application

  Depending on your nationality and country of residence, you can submit your application directly to Deakin through our online international student application service StudyLink Connect or through a Deakin authorised agent.