When you’ve built a career in the arts over many years, you might reach a point where you ask yourself: Should I gain a formal qualification for what I’m already doing?

For Sydney-based arts professional Jochen Gutsch, Program Curator at the Goethe-Institut and active musician, that question led him to Deakin University’s Graduate Certificate of Business (Arts and Cultural Management). Having completed and enjoyed the course, he’s now continuing with the master’s program.

Choosing study

With a well established career, what lay behind his decision to study?

‘It felt like I wanted a better framework and a formal recognition for what I’m doing,’ he says, ‘I’ve worked in the arts sector for about 14 years, working full-time for an institution. I’ve got many contacts and a lot of experience, but I’ve never had an academic framework, or a research basis for what I was doing.’

He settled on study with two anchors in mind, to learn new things and to solidify his professional identity with a university qualification.

Choosing Deakin

A key factor in Jochen’s choice was Deakin’s openness to admitting experienced professionals without previous formal study in the field.

‘This is one of the few opportunities I’ve found where I can start on a slightly higher level, thanks to the work experience that I already have.’

Deakin’s flexible online study was also essential, he says, for ‘being able to time manage my study load while still working full-time and doing lots of other things as well.’

Business knowledge for the arts

Deakin’s arts and cultural management courses stand out for being based in the business school, providing Jochen with a new perspective via units on human resource management and financial interpretation.

‘In comparison to the other units, these are not very arts-oriented,’ he says, ‘especially the financial one. It’s a challenge for me because it’s different from how I normally think and operate, even though I do handle a lot of budgets at work. These units were the first two I did in the degree, and it was like diving into a new kind of world.’

While business-focused learning makes core aspects of his work easier, it’s also transferable into other fields. ‘It gives me the confidence to think, what else could I be doing?’ he says.

Strategic thinking in a hectic environment

Now equipped with theoretical frameworks to apply to his work, Jochen’s changing his approach to projects.

‘In the Arts, it’s always quite hectic and can get a little chaotic. I’m learning to be more strategic about the choices I make at work, or the way that I roll out projects.’ he says.

‘Perhaps a bit more thoughtful, and a little less driven by the moment, I’m now more often taking a step back from the project and have a bird’s eye view on it.’

Learning with peers

The course creates a learning community of students from across the sector and around the country, spanning public and commercial art with everything from remote, rural theatre to DJing in the mix.

‘I feel that the exchange with other students is on a very high level, it’s one of the highlights of the course,’ he says.

Deakin’s online learning platform facilitates that exchange, with discussions yielding valuable insight and shared experiences across diverse roles.

Sector-specific topics emerged, he says, ‘like working with artistic directors, curators and creatives. How to deal with visionary directors or with very business-oriented directors, or both.’

A course led with passion

The commitment of the ‘awesome’ course leaders and teaching team manifested on multiple levels.

‘The biggest highlight is that the people behind the program are really invested in it. They really want to make it a good course,’ he says.

‘They go to quite some length to keep it interesting and keep it relevant for what we’re doing. There’s a lot of real-life examples with real problems and real solutions.’

With queries and discussions, Jochen found staff accessible and responsive with quick answers and willingness to engage.

Moreover, they welcomed his contributions and provided feedback that boosted his confidence after a long absence from study. ‘There was no judgement,’ he says, ‘I feel appreciated and seen.’

Advocating for the Arts

Valuing the course for training a cohort of professionals ‘able to lobby and argue for the arts,’ Jochen praises the course leaders for leading by example.

‘They connect with the industry, with politicians, with policies, with government. That has a good role model function, to go beyond your desk and have a look out there and really engage in these topics.’

Preparing to lead

Jochen found his career situation was common across the student cohort, he says, experienced practitioners and managers who are ready to step up.

‘I’m now doing the master’s degree because I really want to get to a better professional level in what I’m doing.’

‘My co-students have already done a lot of things, but they are still ambitious to improve what they’re doing, advance their careers and get the confidence to step into some kind of leadership role. It’s not just about skills and knowledge, it’s also about confidence.’

Want to learn more? Take a look at Deakin’s arts and cultural management courses