Cultural Management: A Research Overview

Cultural management is a field that combines theoretical models of management and creativity to understand the underlying assumptions and conditions behind an eclectic and evolving field. This book helps scholars to develop their own approach to cultural management, drawing on the available approaches and recognizing that successful cultural management is contingent on understanding the context within which these models will be applied.

Format: Hardback
Length: 98 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Cultural management is a dynamic and evolving field that has emerged from the intersection of arts management and entrepreneurship. It began in the 1980s, when arts managers began to incorporate managerial techniques and assumptions from the commercial business world into the arts. In the late 1990s, the field further integrated entrepreneurial approaches to management in the creative industries, leading to the development of cultural management 2.0. This phase emphasized user experiences and co-creation, and it marked a shift towards a more holistic and user-centric approach to cultural management.

However, the history of cultural management is not linear, and it has undergone several phases. These phases are often referred to as cultural management 1.0, cultural management 2.0, and cultural management 3.0. While these phases may appear distinct, they also overlap and are interrelated.

Cultural management 1.0 focused on the application of managerial techniques and assumptions from the commercial business world to the arts. This phase saw the emergence of cultural institutions as businesses, with a focus on financial sustainability and audience development. Cultural managers were responsible for managing resources, marketing, and programming, and they often sought to emulate the practices of successful commercial businesses.

Cultural management 2.0, which emerged in the late 1990s, brought a new emphasis on creativity and innovation. Cultural managers recognized the importance of harnessing the creative potential of individuals and organizations to achieve success. This phase saw the development of new models of cultural management, such as the creative industries model, which emphasized the role of creativity in economic development and cultural transformation.

Cultural management 3.0, which is currently underway, is characterized by a greater emphasis on collaboration and social impact. Cultural managers are recognizing the importance of working with communities and stakeholders to create meaningful and sustainable cultural experiences. This phase sees the development of new models of cultural management, such as the community-based cultural development model, which emphasizes the role of culture in building community identity and social cohesion.

In bringing together theories of management and creativity, this book empowers scholars and reflective practitioners to develop their own approach to cultural management. It encourages scholars to recognize the underlying assumptions and conditions that lie behind an eclectic and evolving field, and it provides them with the tools and resources to develop a tailored approach that is appropriate for their specific context.

Successful cultural management is contingent on understanding the context (organizational and personal) within which these models will be applied. This book encourages scholars to consider the unique challenges and opportunities that arise.

In conclusion, cultural management is a dynamic and evolving field that has undergone several phases, each characterized by a different emphasis on management, creativity, and social impact. This book provides scholars and reflective practitioners with the tools and resources to develop their own approach to cultural management, drawing on the available approaches and recognizing the importance of understanding the context within which these models will be applied.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 222 x 142 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367443429