Arts Management and Creative Producing (MA) at University College Cork

The MA in Arts Management & Creative Producing provides postgraduate training in arts leadership and management as well as offering essential practical skills in event organization across a range of art forms including amongst others, theatre, opera, music, film, dance, literature, visual and performance art. Reinforcing UCC’s reputation as a centre of excellence in interdisciplinary art practices, the emphasis will be on learning through professional practice. The MA is geared towards those who wish to establish themselves as international arts managers (managing theatres, arts venues and cultural organizations) and creative producers (programming, producing, curating performances, arts events, and festivals). Situated within the Department of Theatre (School of Music and Theatre) and working in collaboration with the Cork Opera House, this MA will draws on the professional experience of its teaching team including: Dr. Marie Kelly (Abbey Theatre’s former Head of Casting), Eibhlín Gleeson (Chief Executive, Cork Opera House), Prof. Jools Gilson (Prof. Creative Practice, School of Music and Theatre, UCC). The programme showcases innovative teaching practices afforded through UCC’s partnership with the Cork Opera House as a ‘learning theatre’ and the teaching team’s extensive expertise and network of professional contacts within the industry.

This MA offers a tangible link between the classroom and the professional environment offering:

• Hands-on training through UCC’s unique partnership with Cork Opera House;
• Access to industry-experienced teachers and active professionals led by Dr. Marie Kelly (formerly of the Abbey Theatre, Board member Everyman Theatre, Cork, Vice-President of Irish Society for Theatre Research) and Eibhlín Gleeson, CEO Cork Opera House (formerly Chamber Choir Ireland, EMG Arts Management, John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts, Washington DC).
• Direct engagement with industry, e.g. producing work at the Cork Opera House in 2020.
• Learning in a culturally engaged City with several centres of excellence in teaching in the Arts: UCC School of Music & Theatre, CIT Cork School of Music, Crawford Gallery;
• Access to international mentors and lecturers via webinar technology;
• Access to Blackstone Launchpad and UCC Ignite encouraging entrepreneurship;
• Field trips, visiting lectures, symposia on producing and arts management which encourage networking and understanding of the cultural sector;
• Access to the School of Music and Theatre’s range of research related activities and events including FUAIM and Perforum;
• An exit ‘Placement Award’ of €1,100 to the student of highest merit.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

An end of year internship is a core element of the programme, allowing students to gain experience working in an arts organization or related environment outside of that of the Cork Opera House.

On graduating an exit ‘Placement Award’ of €1,100 will be made to the student of highest merit.

Skills and Careers Information

On completion of the programme students can avail of a wide range of opportunities in the cultural sector and across the creative industries. These include:

• Performing arts management (managing arts venues and organizations)
• Independent event producing and curating (theatre, performance, dance, and other arts events, festivals, exhibitions etc)
• Audience engagement, fundraising, marketing and PR
• Research and development in cultural policy (working in national/international government funding agencies and other cultural agencies)
• Creative project management in the corporate and creative industries