Studying the future

What does value mean when used in the context of arts practice? How can the sector best measure and articulate the value of the work it creates? These questions were the driving force behind my MA investigations and a core reason for choosing to undertake an MA in Arts Management. The taught MA at Dartington College of Arts (DCA) provided the focused environment I needed to undertake this research, offering a challenging and inspiring platform for learning. Designed to meet the strengths and aspirations of the individual student, whilst ensuring a fundamental grounding in theory and practical application, the MA Arts Management course enabled me to devote an equal proportion of time to studying current issues and debates in cultural policy and to investigating these in relation to my practical work.

The MA is led under an Higher Eduction/Arts Sector partnership by Aune Head Arts (AHA). AHA staff do most of the teaching on the 15-week module ‘Questions of Practice’, augmented by professional colleagues from across the UK. The module enables students to examine, explore and innovate across artistic disciplines in order to equip them as cultural leaders and managers with the skills and confidence they need for success. In addition to the practical module, students receive a strong theoretical and analytical grounding in two additional modules taught by DCA staff across all the college's MA awards.

To support my research into value I undertook work placements with the BBC and Demos. This was encouraging as I realised that it is possible to gain a more in-depth understanding of theory through an immersion in practice – a concept that proved central to my investigations into measuring cultural value.

Inspired by the work of John Holden and Robert Hewison at the think-tank Demos, I attempted to find a suitable way of articulating to policymakers what is important about the arts, by developing a framework for measuring the intrinsic value of arts practice. I identified that greater links need to be established between those who have written extensively about what value means and those who create the work and are striving to meet funding and policy requirements.

The seminar I organised at DCA for my final practical assessment brought practitioners together to question, debate and share ideas about cultural value. I was very fortunate to be able to work with John Holden, Head of Culture at Demos, and Stephen Escritt, Head of Strategic Development at Whitechapel Gallery, both of whom have researched and written extensively on the subject and who inspired much thought-provoking debate.

Some of the most important aspects of the MA for me were being able to meet and discuss ideas with professionals involved in policy, management, theory and arts delivery at a leading level, as well as sharing ideas with students from other arts disciplines. During the seminar we discussed the importance of stopping to review what it is that we do, in order to learn the most about the way we work and the value we create. The MA gave me the opportunity to do this, enabling me to develop my thinking and practice in a way that I could not have anticipated. It enabled me to structure my learning to support my individual needs and aspirations, bringing direction to the course of my future work.