Begin your development as a future cultural leader.
COURSE OFFERED SPRING 2027
Study Levels: Graduate
Faculty: Dr Joyce Griggs and Dr Diana Salazar
Contact: jgriggs@msmnyc.edu and diana.salazar@rcm.ac.uk
Royal College of Music (London) and Manhattan School of Music
Cultivating Artistic Leadership from the Inside Out
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Rapid globalization and technological disruptions provide artists opportunities to rethink traditional leadership models.
Transform your artistic superpowers – communication, critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, and perseverance, to name a few – and begin your development as a future cultural leader.
Students will be led through individual and small group assessments of existing leadership skills using performance-related techniques such as deep listening/reading, conflict-resolution, and creative problem solving. Students will explore case studies and interview industry leaders to gain insights into new and emerging trends in arts organizations, from leadership structures to funding models. Students will draw upon this learning and deep personal reflection to design their own leadership vision that responds to the larger discourse of why the arts are a necessary and vital part of the world we share.
Credits: 2 ECTS / 2 US Credits
Maximum Participants: 25 students
Topics Include:
- Navigating the global arts landscape today
- Techniques for effective collaboration
- (Re)defining success and value as an artist
- Networking with purpose
- Tradition and innovation in the arts
- Leading through uncertainty
- Preparing to thrive in your artistic career
Requirements:
No prior knowledge or specialised technical equipment is required for this course, other than a computer and headphones.
However, this course will be most suitable for you if you:
- Are open to self-reflection and growth
- Are open to listening and working with artists from different cultural and musical backgrounds
- Are curious about applying your skills as a musician to new types of challenges
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through seven activities spread across the course, starting in week one. These include self-reflective questionnaires, reflecting on set reading/listening/viewing, discussion, text or video personal statements and a group activity. Some tasks are short and contribute as little as 2% to the overall grade, while others will carry more weight, with the largest activity worth 40%. Although the assessments vary in size, it’s important to engage with all of them, as each is designed to support your learning and progress. For the major assessment (40%), you’ll work in a small group, so good communication and time-management skills will be important from the outset.