28367 - Project Management for Arts Organization

Learning outcomes

The student is expected to understand the strategic aspects of cultural project management. In particular, the student is expected to learn: - the context of management of cultural organizations - the steps to realize a project for arts organizations - the role of cultural project management - strategic aspects of cultural project management.

Course contents

Introduction to cultural project management. Approach, terminology, project life cycle. The project manager’s role. Introduction to project management techniques. During the first class presentations for the final projects and group assignments will be delivered.

Project management techniques: concept, project scope, knowledge areas, work breakdown structure, organisation breakdown structure, schedule, baseline plan.

Project management: the idea and the initiation step. Strategic profile of a cultural project, Feasibility: SWOT analysis, proposal preparation and bid assessment.

Project management: the planning step. Planning tools: overview of organogram, GANTT, PERT, Network analysis: Critical Path. Budget and financial flow: elements.   

LAB: insight on project management software

Project management: the execution and monitoring step. Putting plans into action, tracking progress, maintaining control and taking corrective actions.

Project management: the shutdown stage. Closure activities, reports, evaluation. Performance review against objectives, scope, budget, plans, risks.   

Elements of risk management.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended readings/Bibliography:

Project Management Institute. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Pennsylvania: PMI, 2013. Print

O’Toole, William, Mikolaitis, Phyllis. Corporate Event Project Management. New York: Wiley, 2002. Print

Bowdin, Glenn et al. Events Management. London: Routledge, 2006. Print

Burke, R. Fundamentals of Project Management. Auckland: Burke Publishing, 2010. Print

Further readings

Schon, Donald A. The Reflective Practitioner. How Professionals think in action. New York: Basic Books, 1984. Print

Turner, J.Rodney. The Handbook of Project Based Management. Leading strategic change in organisations. London: McGraw-Hill, 1997.

Teaching methods

Frontal, working groups, slideshow, guest lectures.

Assessment methods

1) 45% Dossier in writing (teamwork)

2) 45% Individual pitch on exam day

3) 10% class participation

Teaching tools

Papers and materials will be suggested during the activity.

Preliminary readings will be available before the beginning of the semester.

Office hours

See the website of Simona Cavaliere