Arts Management

See also the Bachelor of Entertainment Management

The Australian Institute of Music’s Department of Arts Management provides an excellent general management education that equips students for a broad range of managerial roles across arts, music and entertainment.

The undergraduate program has particular strengths in general management, marketing, entertainment law and the business of contemporary music. The postgraduate program draws upon a stellar line up of experts from a variety of industry sectors. The programs have been designed to possesses academic integrity and practical relevance so that graduates will be able to make immediate impact in real world situations.

Instead of ‘generic’ management course content, The Institute focuses on running creative businesses, and looking at the idiosyncrasies of working in an arts and entertainment environment. Units of study are also supplemented with case studies, guest speakers, and occasional secondments on to third party projects.

The Bachelor of Music degree majoring in Arts Management

The Bachelor of Music degree majoring in Arts Management synthesises music and business subjects in one integrated program.

Entertainment and Arts Management subjects explore a wide variety of management domains such as commercial entertainment, small business, the not for profit arts sector, and international business. Marketing & Communications units explore marketing foundations, PR and publicity, consumer behaviour, services marketing, market research, and international marketing.  

The undergraduate program is very strong in entertainment law, covering important subjects such as copyright and contractual law. The program also includes Business & Financial Skills, Strategic Planning, Organisational Behaviour and three Industry Applications units, which provide an opportunity to work on practical projects.

Performance Studies & Ensemble

The music component of the degree includes a 30 minute individual lesson each week in an instrument of the student’s choice. Ensemble broadens this experience through participation in larger performing groups (for two hours each week), from a large vocal ensemble to an Afro Cuban percussion ensemble.

Foundation and Critical Studies

For the first two semesters students undertake a suite of academic units comprising Foundation Studies in theory, history and aural training.  With the foundations in place, students then undertake one Critical Studies unit per semester, each providing an in-depth study of a major musical period or genre.

Associated Studies

Associate Studies units provide an opportunity for students to broaden their experience by undertaking studies in other departments such as Audio Technology, Composition & Music Production and Contemporary Performance.

Undergraduate Awards
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music, with Honours
Post Graduate Awards          
Master of Arts Management at Sydney Opera House

The Australian Institute of Music and Sydney Opera House have formed a unique partnership to present the degree of Master of Arts Management.  Lectures take place within Sydney Opera House featuring internationally renowned practitioners and academics. Enrolment can be full-time, part-time or on an individual seminar basis. A separate brochure is available or information can be accessed online at www.aim.edu.au/sohaim

Career Pathway
The Institute’s Entertainment and Arts Management education is designed to prepare students for a career in areas such as: 

• Commercial entertainment, including film and recording companies, concert presentation, touring and commercial theatre;

• Artist management and agency work;

• Arts administration in the ‘not for profit’ sector (eg opera, festivals, theatre, orchestras etc)

• Government sector work in the cultural policy area;

• Online ventures and digital entertainment companies;

• New venture initiatives launched by the graduate.

Thomas Heymann
Program Director of Arts Management and Bachelor of Entertainment Management
Thomas has a Masters degree in economics and an impressive background in commercial music. He commenced at Sony in Germany and rose to the position of Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Warner Music Australia. His strengths are in economics, general management and marketing, particularly marketing via Social Media and Social Networking (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter etc). He has recently been running his own company (www.themusicconnection.com.au) and lecturing at AIM in both the undergraduate and postgraduate programs.