Training for professionals
The Institute for Cultural Practices offers flexible access to training programmes in arts, cultural and heritage areas to meet the needs of established professionals and newcomers. It includes MA modules, professional doctorates and tailored on-site training courses.
On-site training
We provide tailored training to arts, cultural and heritage institutions. If you are interested in training opportunities, please contact us to discuss your interests. An indicative menu of areas of training we provide include:
- Digital Engagement
- Audience Development
- Community Engagement
- Creative Learning
- Evaluation
MA modules
Modules from the master's programmes in Art Gallery and Museum Studies and Arts Management, Policy and Practice can be taken as standalone courses (at 15 or 30 credits). All modules involve a combination of seminar discussion, lectures and presentations, practical exercises and fieldwork. Current modules include:
September - December
Introduction to Museum Studies (30 credits)
Offers students a critical practical and historical understanding of the museum as a site of cultural production.
Managing Collections and Exhibitions (30 credits)
Explores the theory and practice of collection management and offers an introduction to exhibition development.
Arts Management: Principles and Practice (30 credits)
An introduction to key debates and practices in arts management looking at the production and reception of a range of cultural activity in performing and visual arts.
Cultural Policy (30 credits)
An overview of contemporary cultural policy, funding and regulation in national and international contexts.
January - May
Creative Learning (15/30 credits)
Engages with the theory and practice of learning in arts and cultural contexts (run in collaboration with the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum).
Business Strategies for the Arts (15/30 credits)
A practical exploration of arts management functions including finance, communications, funding, law and resource development.
Professional Practice Project (Exhibition or Event) (30 credits)
Students create a small exhibition and related public programme in collaboration with a local cultural organisation.
Art Curating (30 credits)
Explores cultural, practical and ethical issues relating to the acquisition and display of art by museums and galleries.
Digital Heritage (15/30 credits)
Examines the theory and practice of digital media in museums, galleries and related cultural institutions for purposes of curation, interpretation, communication and learning.
Curating Ethnography (15 credits)
Discusses intellectual, practical and ethical issues related to ethnography collections in museums.
Professional doctorates
The Professional Doctorate in Museum Practice and the Professional Doctorate in Cultural Management are specifically designed to meet the interests of practitioners who want to conduct high level research which is grounded in their professional knowledge, experience and practice.