DMU students to learn business of performing arts

Curve – one of the UK’s leading producing theatres – has partnered with Leicester Castle Business School at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) to provide industry-based experience to students of a new MSc module.



The Business of Performing Arts module, offered to students on the Business Management in Creative Industries MSc and the Creative Enterprise MSc run by Leicester Castle Business School, will be produced by Leicester Castle Business School in collaboration with Curve. This module, which is available on both master’s courses offer students an understanding of the business models that support the performing arts and evaluate the changing trends that could impact on maintaining a performing arts organisation.

Students on these courses will experience theatre from a business perspective, supported by a range of practical learning activities at Curve such as analysing competing drivers and the conditions necessary for performing arts businesses to succeed. This will introduce students to the financial, managerial and cultural aspects of sustaining a viable business within the industry.

Curve chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said in a joint statement: “Curve’s relationship with De Montfort University is incredibly important to us and since we opened in 2008 we have worked together on a range of projects, productions and initiatives. We are thrilled to now be working with the team at Leicester Castle Business School to deliver a new module which will explore the business of theatre in the 21st Century.

"The module will be delivered at Curve where students will be able to gain ‘hands on’ experience in a professional theatre environment. We hope this will be the start of many more collaborations with the staff and students at Leicester Castle Business School.”

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The Business of Performing Arts module concludes with students presenting their findings to Curve’s senior management team and represents an innovative way by industry of developing young, behind-the-scenes talent.

Jennie Jordan, programme leader at Leicester Castle Business School said: “Leicester Castle's ethos is beyond business as usual and this module is a perfect example. We are thrilled to be working with one of the UK's leading producing theatres to create a learning experience that will seamlessly blend concepts from business management with practical application within the performing arts. Curve produces world-leading theatre, but can only do this because of its innovative business model and processes.

"Students will work with senior management from the theatre, applying ideas from their university course to help solve a real business problem. We are delighted to be able to offer this unique opportunity to our students to apply theory to practice with support from senior leaders within the global performing arts sector.”