APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2015/2016 Norwegian version

ELE 3738 Festival Management

Responsible for the course
Sigrid Røyseng

Department
Department of Communication and Culture

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
During the last couple of decades the number of festivals has increased considerably, and festivals have increasingly become an important arena for art and cultural experiences. Festivals are complex events involving a broad range of players. Artists/performers, audiences, voluntary people and public appropriation bodies play central and different roles in the festivals. In addition, the festivals are typically characterized by a ”mixed economy” where public support, sponsorship funds, voluntary work and ticket revenues, as well as revenues from sales represent important contributions. The course gives an introduction to the festival industry and how it is managed and organized. As part of the course the students will acquire knowledge of theories and concepts that comprise the complexity that festivals represent as cultural events and gatherings.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
On conclusion of the course the students are supposed to have acquired basic knowledge, theories and concepts on the management and organization of festivals. In particular, the students are to acquire knowledge as to what festivals are and what role they play locally, nationally and internationally. Moreover, the students are to acquire theories and concepts necessary to analyse the relationship between the various players involved in festivals.

Acquired skills
During the course the students are to develop skills in managing and organizing festivals. They are also to learn how to reveal managerial and organizational challenges in festivals and find ways of meeting such challenges by means of acquired knowledge, concepts and theories. More specifically, the students are to develop skills to reveal, analyse and solve problems and challenges in connection with the staging of festivals.

Reflection
During the course the students are to train their ability to assess the various motivations and interests related to festivals with respect and ethical awareness. Not least, the students are to develop the ability to reflect on the dilemmas that may arise in connection with festivals.

Prerequisites
No particular prerequisite knowledge is required

Compulsory reading
Books:
Bowdin, Glenn A.J. ... [et al.]. 2011. Events management. 3rd ed. Butterworth-Heinemann. s. 3-70, 187-294, 323-364, 441-522 (296 sider tilsammen)
Aagedal, Olaf, Helene Egeland og Mariann Villa. 2009. Lokalt kulturliv i endring. [Oslo] : Norsk kulturråd : I kommisjon hos Fagbokforlaget. s.127-222 (96 s.)

Collection of articles:
Røyseng, Sigrid. 2012. Artikkelsamling til Festivalledelse. Handelshøyskolen BI

Recommended reading

Course outline

• The organization and characteristics of the festival industry
• The organization and management of festivals
• The history and occurrence of festivals
• The importance of festivals locally, nationally and internationally
• The economy of festivals: ticket revenues, sponsorship revenues, public support and voluntary work
• Festivals as arenas for art and culture
• Festivals as part of cultural policy
• Festival voluntariness