Markus Hetheier

Course: MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice, Full Time, 2017-18

Before coming to Manchester I undertook a Bachelors course in Comparative Literature and Linguistics in which I learned about concepts of culture and the arts. Studying this Masters course helped me to build a bridge between these theoretical concepts and practical ways of how to implement them while understanding how they shape cultural policy and the cultural sector as a whole. Throughout my postgraduate studies I enjoyed the opportunity to write essays about topics that I am passionate about, for example I wrote about participatory decision-making, urban regeneration, social network analysis, DIY culture and the music industry. For each of these topics there were academic supervisors available that were experts in that area. It was especially exciting for me to write my dissertation on DIY culture in the electronic music industry. This allowed me to combine my professional studies and my electronic music practice and critically reflect on both.

Besides studying, I explored Manchester through clubbing and going for drinks, visiting galleries and museums, singing in a choir and networking with various cultural organisations. My course definitely helped me to have a solid understand of the cultural landscape in the United Kingdom and also to establish professional networks within the arts. At the moment I have one part-time role as Front of House and Events Assistant at Waterside Arts and two part-time roles at Contact as Creative Experts Administrator and as Data & Reporting Co-Ordinator. I plan to stay in Manchester and to get further involved in the arts here.