Cortney Lederer

The Management Studio is a space in which to explore 21st century leadership and management though a practice based investigation of contemporary organizational, project, and leadership models with an eye toward designing frameworks for the future. In addition to investigating so-called traditional management models, students will engage with current cultural management/leadership theory and practice around sustainability, networks, leadership, collaboration, equity, engagement, and governance, as well as emergent models for supporting innovation, creativity, and adaptation.

A distinguishing element of this course is the project-based learning environment. Management Studio integrates skill-building projects into the course work for the purpose of practicing and developing individual and group strategies. The projects in the studio are developed with external and internal partners and engage a broad set of skill building opportunities. Students select projects based on interest and personal development trajectories.

The premise of this course is that participants will be active leaders in shaping the future of cultural/arts management. As such, the course invites broad and active participation and preparation for every class meeting. As a ?hands on? examination of management practice and theory, students are urged to critically engage with the material and to participate in class discussions, projects, presentations and debates. Each student will work on an ongoing project in addition to class preparation to include reading, discussion and presentation. Class will generally be divided into two sections. The first section will include discussion and/or presentations of readings and assignments. The second section will include project report outs and project work/discussion.

The ProSeminar program converges the complex narratives of policy, theory, and artistic and management practice through a series of guest talks and discussions. Guests invited for each semester program engage a broad set of practices which intersect with cultural resources and how they are articulated, (re)presented, sustained, accessed, used, and supported. A distinguishing characteristic of many of the Fall semester guests is their leadership in advancing both discourse and action in their field by navigating complex and often inert systems and power structures to instigate and produce new ideas; and by affecting behaviors and systems critical to the future.

The ProSeminar program converges the complex narratives of policy, theory, and artistic and management practice through a series of guest talks and discussions. Guests invited for each semester program engage a broad set of practices which intersect with cultural resources and how they are articulated, (re)presented, sustained, accessed, used, and supported. A distinguishing characteristic of many of the Fall semester guests is their leadership in advancing both discourse and action in their field by navigating complex and often inert systems and power structures to instigate and produce new ideas; and by affecting behaviors and systems critical to the future.

This course seeks to be more than the sum of its parts--an environment where new ideas can emerge and develop. Broad participation and active listening are essential. Students are expected to read guest biographies and materials advanced by guest speakers before class, and to be prepared to participate in discussions. All materials will be made available in advance of class meetings. Following each lecture, each student will be required to write and submit a critical reflection on the knowledge, ideas and stories presented by the guest speaker. This exercise should include reflections on the presentation and should be at least two to three paragraphs of critical writing. Following the guest presentation, there will be a facilitated discussion with the entire class. The time allotted for this may vary from class to class, specifically as it pertains to off-site visits.