Arts Management & Creative Producing

Course Outline

Our MA in Arts Management & Creative Producing programme is offered by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS) at University College Cork (UCC).



This MA programme provides postgraduate training in arts leadership and management as well as offering essential practical skills in event organisation across a range of art forms, including amongst others, theatre, opera, music, film, dance, literature, visual, and performance art. Reinforcing UCC’s reputation as a centre of excellence in interdisciplinary art practices, we place emphasis on learning through professional practice.



Our MA is geared towards those who wish to establish themselves as arts managers (managing theatres, arts venues, and cultural organisations) and creative producers (programming, producing, curating performances, arts events, and festivals).



Situated within the Department of Theatre, which is part of our School of Film, Music & Theatre, we work in collaboration with the Cork Opera House in its role as a ‘learning theatre’. This partnership enables innovative teaching practices and our teaching team reflects the expertise and network of professional contacts within the industry including Dr Marie Kelly (Abbey Theatre’s former Head of Casting) and Eibhlín Gleeson (CEO, Cork Opera House).



Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as culture, arts, performance and management.



Programme Details

This MA is a full-time programme running for 12 months or a part-time programme running for 24 months.



The emphasis is on learning through a combination of professional practice in collaboration with the Cork Opera House as well as more traditional learning in a classroom setting. Students take core modules on arts management and creative producing together with an end-of-year arts placement. Students will also have the flexibility to choose from a suite of elective modules across the disciplines to suit their individual goals and needs. As a final project, and with mentorship and guidance from the teaching team, students will programme their own professional programme of work either on an online platform or in live presentation (depending on prevailing conditions) in collaboration with Cork Opera House.



Placement or Study Abroad Information

Internship

An end-of-year internship is a core element of the programme, allowing you to gain experience working in an arts organisation or related environment.



Past students have worked in a variety of organisations, including Sample-Studios, Glucksman Gallery, Crawford Gallery, Everyman Theatre, Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork Opera House, Nano Nagle Place (Cork), Blackwater Artists Group (Cork), Cork International Film Festival, Music Generation, Islander, Cork Circus Factory, Once Off Productions, IT Productions, Cork Craft & Design, Glór Ennis, Cill Rialaig Project, Smashing Times Theatre Company, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Galway Dance Project, Trailblazery, and the Draíocht Arts Centre, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Modules (90 credits total)

Part I (45 credits)

DR6043 Creative Producing & Curating - Portfolio Development (10 credits)

DR6045 Artistic Leadership and Strategies in Artistic Leadership (5 credits)

DR6049 Creative Producing and Curating (Part I) (10 credits)

DR6051 Dialogues on Culture (5 credits)

DR6052 Arts Project Management (5 credits)

MG4036 Strategic Management (5 credits)

MG4048 Digital Marketing (5 credits)



Part II (45 credits)

DR6047 Arts Placement (5 credits)

DR6048 Final Project: Arts Management & Creative Producing (40 credits)



Part-time option: the part-time option is taken over two years. In Year 1 part-time students must take a minimum of 25 credits of taught modules. In Year 2 part-time students take a minimum of 60 credits. For part-time students, the 40-credit Final Project dissertation module (DR6048) is only available in Year 2.

Applicants will normally have a minimum Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in the humanities or business and demonstrate an interest in working in the arts.



Examples of demonstrated interest include membership of youth arts groups; previous involvement in art projects either at school, university, or in the community; previous internships/placements, volunteering, or full/part-time work in arts-related organisations. Applicants with significant professional-level experience in the arts will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).



In addressing the criteria, applicants will be required to answer supplementary questions in addition to the standard questions on the online Postgraduate Studies Application form for Taught masters programmes.



Applicants will be required to attend an interview (in person or online in the case of students living at a distance) with staff from the Department of Theatre (UCC) and Cork Opera House.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.



- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 8th September 2025.

Skills and Careers Information

On completion of the programme students can avail themselves of a wide range of opportunities in the cultural sector and across the creative industries, including:

- Performing arts management (managing arts venues and organisations);

- Independent event producing and curating (theatre, performance, dance, and other arts events, festivals, exhibitions, etc.);

- Audience engagement, fundraising, marketing, and PR;

- Working in national/international government funding agencies and other cultural agencies);

- And creative project management in corporate and creative industries.