Master of Arts (MA)

Uncover the business of culture: get the art facts.  How to tell the worth of an oeuvre?  Who decides? How do cultural entrepreneurs operate in the culture market?  It's all about cultural economics.

Find out how art markets and cultural organisations work, and how culture is marketed.  Learn what policy-makers can and can't do, and what small companies are up to.  What is the labour market for artists like? How does funding work? What about intellectual-property rights? Find out, apply what you learn, and make your own contribution to the academic debate. 

At Erasmus University you will find a top-drawer faculty; in Rotterdam, a city with myriad cultural institutions large and small.  The programme is small and interactive, and lets you learn in a range of settings: in workshops and seminars, and on field trips.  Pick your own thesis topic, do independent research...and get ready for a successful career in the culture industry.

What has this programme got to offer me?

• You will become familiar with economic instruments used by policymakers and market participants and become aware of the limits of such tools.
• You will learn about the fascinating, time-old interplay between art, culture and commerce, which features prominently in the academic debate.
• You will discover the nature of the entrepreneurial spirit in the arts.
• You will gain insight in the functioning of art markets.
• You will make an important scholarly contribution to the field of cultural economics by writing a Master’s thesis.
  
  

Education objectives

As a graduate of this programme:

• You have in-depth knowledge of current theoretical and methodological approaches and developments in the study of cultural economics and cultural entrepreneurship
• You can analyse complex processes and problems in the cultural world
• You can translate practical problems related to cultural economics and cultural entrepreneurship into theoretically grounded research questions
• You are able to independently conduct research on processes and developments in the cultural sector
• You are equipped with the knowledge and understanding that is required for working in the cultural world of tomorrow
  
  

Career prospects

With the Cultural Economics & Cultural Entrepreneurship MA, you will qualify for positions in management, policy or communications at companies and institutions in the cultural sector. In addition, if you aspire to a policy or management position or a role in academic education and research, this Master’s programme will be a valued asset.

Target audience

The Cultural Economics and Cultural Entrepreneurship programme will appeal to students interested in the economic and commercial aspects of art and culture. This MA also stimulates the cultural and creative entrepreneurial spirit.

Please see below for information about the specialisation within this Master Programme. Whether a specialisation is offered full-time or part-time, is indicated accordingly.

Admission requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Studies
• Bachelor’s degree that fulfills a combination of social science and the arts
• TOEFL 600 / 250 / 100 / OR IELTS 7.0
  

Admission and application

The programme is open for students holding a university Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Studies. Also students who have an university Bachelor’s degree that fulfills the requirement of a combination of social science and the arts, may apply. A basis knowledge of economics and proven ability in English is essential (TOEFL 600 / 250 / 100 / OR IELTS 7.0).

Read more about admission and application - Art and Culture Studies