This programme explores notions of participation and engagement in culture that aim to respect the cultural rights of all citizens as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You will examine how policy makers, cultural organisations, and artists conceive the role of audiences and the wider public in contemporary cultures and economies on both a local and global scale. You will investigate practical approaches to participation and engagement in the arts and cultural sectors as well as reflecting on the nature of our personal engagement in the digital sphere. You will then critically examine the extent to which such approaches are effective at creating a more people centred culture and consider alternative approaches to achieve this aim. As well as developing your research skills this will help you develop your professional practice whether you wish to work in the management, marketing or education departments within existing arts organisations, develop cultural policy at a local, national or international level or develop your own skills as a participatory facilitator.
The cultural sector has enormous potential to effect positive change in society. However, participation data has uncovered a lack of diversity in the age, ethnicity, education level and socioeconomic background of audiences in the arts alongside a decline in overall levels of arts engagement. This sits alongside efforts to address accessibility and structural inequality for both audiences and the creative workforce. You’ll explore theoretical concepts such as co-creation and participatory governance, alongside investigation into community and participatory arts practice, the implications of digital engagement, and conceptual design of audience experiences. You will be able to tailor your learning on the course to pursue your own interests and develop broader skills through your choice from a range of optional modules. You will also be able to engage with leading centres for research, policy, practice and debate based at the University of Leeds that are on the forefront of audience research and engagement such as the Centre for Cultural Value and the Cultural Institute.
Leeds has a thriving cultural scene and is home to large-scale events like Leeds International Film Festival, Light Night, and Transform Festival. Our local connections allow you to interact with a range of partners including Leeds Museums & Galleries, Opera North, Hyde Park Picture House, and many other local arts and community organisations. The wider Yorkshire region is home to a rich and diverse culture with other major cultural institutions such as Yorkshire Sculpture Park who have a renowned learning programme,
This course comprises a balanced mix of teaching and learning methods, including interactive lectures, small group seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, many of whom have also worked in the cultural sector, with inputs by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus and currently working in the field. By the end of the course, you should be able to demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and understanding of techniques relevant to audience engagement and cultural participation. You will gain valuable transferable skills such as project management, audience research, programme design and evaluation, relevant to cultural sector work in in arts and cultural organisations or working freelance as a creative worker.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECI5220M | Audience Engagement | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5221M | Culture and participation | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PECI5222M | Participatory culture and digital engagement | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOAH5000M | Engaging the Modern City: The Civic Researcher | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5106M | Performance and Collaborative Enterprise | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5207M | Arts Management and Cultural Leadership | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5209M | Critical Debates in Culture and Place | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5216M | Arts and Activism | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5218M | Cultural Policy and the Politics of Culture | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5219M | Sustainable Development in Arts and Culture | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5407M | Digital and Intermedial Storytelling | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI5411M | Arts Based Practices in Health and Wellbeing | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 13/03/2025 15:39:53
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