Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

You need to have completed this module to pursue a business related specialist study in your final year

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

Aims:
1.To provide a basic knowledge of arts and music business practices which will be particularly useful to students preparing for a self managed career where their income is generated from performance, recording, composing or organizing musical events and/or setting up a music related businss enterprise.
2. To help students identify and develop their entrepreneurial abilities and skills.
3. To enable students to put together a practical toolkit of resources on contracts, invoice systems, accounts and taxation, royalty collection systems, media, publicity and marketing.
4. To provide guidance and mentoring for students as they plan for and carry out the Semester 2 event.
5. To provide critical/theoretical perspectives on music entrepreneurship and the music industry.


The first semester consists of lectures and seminars, some delivered by visting speakers which would normally include the following:
•       Theoretical and critical perspectives on music entrepreneurship
•       The portfolio career
•       How the music industry and arts/music organisations of various sizes operate.
•       Royalty collection systems, contracts, invoice systems, accounts and taxation
•       Event/project management
* Project proposals and business plans
     
The second semester will be spent working in teams to plan and carry out an event, supported by lectures on practical aspects such as marketing and finance, and mentoring on a team basis.

Assessment will consist of an essay in semester 1, and a group presentation and reflective report on the event in semester 2.
In addition regular attendance at lectures is deemed to be a crucial indicator of your engagement with the module.
NB (Exceptionally students may negotiate an alternative project)

Outline Of Syllabus

Semester 1
the following would normally be covered:
1       Introduction to Module
2       Music entrepreneurship- a critical perspective      
3       The working musician      
4       Project proposals and business plans
5 Networking/teamworking
6 Copyright
7 Event and project management

Semester 2

Students work in groups on their event supported by the Module Leader and business mentors. Additional lectures to offer practical support will also be provided (e.g. marketing, finance and accounts)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Intended knowledge outcomes: By the end of this module you should have gained:
1 A critical/theoretical understanding of enterprise and entrepreneurship within the context of music
2 A basic knowledge of arts and music business practices
3 A basic knowledge of contracts, invoice systems, accounts and taxation, royalty collection systems
and how to access support and advice on these areas in the future
4 A critical understanding of how to work with the media; publicity and marketing

Intended Skill Outcomes

Intended skills outcomes: By the end of this of the module you should have gained practical and organisational skills, such as knowing how to:
1       skill in report writing and analysis of the culture industry
2 self awareness able to identify their strengths and weaknesses, interests and motivations
3 networking and negotiating skills (individuals and organisations)
4 team working
5 a creative enterprising approach to problem solving and developing new ideas and applying these within a business context

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

In semester 1 Lectures involving the core teaching team and visiting speakers from the music industry and arts organisations provide you with information about organisations in the professional world, and the practicalities of making a living through an involvement in music. Lectures also offer critical theoretical perspectives on music and entrepreneurship.
In semester 2 organising an event provides the practical hub of the students learning experience. Students will work in samll teams (not less than 3 or more than 4) generated from within the module to organise and event. This will facilitate problem based learning with students gaining practical insight and direct experience of organisation, negotiating, networking, public relations, marketing budgeting and accounting.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Rationale and relationship of assessment methods to learning outcomes:
a) Essay reflects engagement with the course and critical awareness of enterprise and entrepreneurship within the context of music
b) Presentation demonstrates contribution to the event planning process; the reflective report demonstrates individual learning and report writing skills

General Notes

N/A