75800 - Design and Management of Theatre Activities (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing the course, the student will have gained knowledge of the design, implementation, organisation of theatre and music shows of different types and related outcomes assessment.

In particular, the student will be able to:

• apply project management techniques;

• identify and map out a project's core elements regarding productions, festivals, tours and other initiatives in the field of theatre and music activities;

• use tools to evaluate projects during design, implementation and monitoring stages.

Course contents

The program deals with the performing arts and related sub-sectors, by showing the processes related to planning and management, from organisation to distribution. Particular attention is paid to changes in the Italian system of performing arts, which started in 2014, 2017 and 2021. as a result of the new regulations issued by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism 2014 and 2017), and by Ministry of Culture (2021),  other regulations issued by the Goverment and the Ministry of Culture in 2020 and 2021

The course contents are divided in two parts:

1) Framework

•  the perimeter of culture: taxonomies
• types and key features of the business and assets of performing arts; definitions and taxonomies
• policies for culture and performing arts in Italy and Europe; the cultural and creative industries system
• elements of economics of culture: inception and development; main theories
• employment and labour market in performing arts: statistical analysis, types of contracts
• the effects of economic and social crises on the management of activities
  
• Observatories of culture and performing arts in Italy and Europe

• 2) Designing culture:

• • fundamentals of project management applied to performing arts and cultural events: creation, activation, implementation, evaluation
• • work processes
• • management of economic, human and technical resources
• • performing arts and territory; elements of cultural planning;
• • evaluation and assessment methods for performing arts activities

Readings/Bibliography

Texts required for attenders and non-attenders: 

• Argano L., Bollo A., Dalla Sega P. (2018), Organizzare eventi    culturali, FrancoAngeli, Milano
• Taormina A., editeb by (2021), Lavoro culturale e occupazione, FrancoAngeli, Milano
• Course handouts provided by the professor

 

For those who have not taken exams in the course of the three-year degree in courses relating to the performing arts organization, the following book is mandatory:

• Gallina, M. (2016), Ri-Organizzare Teatro (parte I e parte III) FrancoAngeli, Milano
  

 

For non-attenders, it is recommended to choose one from the following:

• Causi M., (2022), Economia della cultura, Edizioni Pigreco, Roma
• Solima L., (2018), Management per l'impresa culturale, Carocci Editore, Roma
• De Biase F. (a cura di) (2014), I pubblici della cultura, FrancoAngeli, Milano
• Taormina A. (2011), Osservare la cultura, FrancoAngeli, Milano
• Cicerchia A, (2021), Che cosa muove la cultura, Editrice Bibliografica, Milano

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.
During the lessons the lecturer will involve the students in an active discussion of the lesson topics.

Assessment methods

A first test takes place in the classroom, during interactions with students and mid-term simulations. Attending students may also agree with the Lecturer to develop a project work, which will be evaluated and discussed during the final exam. The written text shall be approx 10 pages and shall be provided to the Lecturer one week before the oral test date. The final exam is oral and cover all the course subjects. It is designed to assess the methodological and critical skills acquired by the students, who will be invited to confront themselves with the texts discussed during the course. The evaluation of the project work will verify the student's ability to develop an independent research in the fields of the public and private founds for culture, the performing arts laws,  the cultural planning and management.

Teaching tools

The course will be developed in two cross-related ways: the first part includes lessons on the theoretical part; the second will be developed as a workshop - with direct involvement of the students – and will be dedicated to the analysis of cultural statistics, production projects,  audiovisual material.

Office hours

See the website of Antonino Taormina