Arts Management (Discovering the Creative Industries) - Practical

In this review of Arts Management (Discovering the Creative Industries), the second edition by Derrick Chong, the bottom line is clear: this book is a thoughtful, up-to-date primer for anyone preparing to work inside arts and cultural organizations. It is especially useful for students and early-career arts managers because it balances theory and practical discussion, highlighting the tensions between aesthetic aims and managerial and economic realities. The updated chapters and new case studies make it a current reference for navigating topics such as arts and the State, business relationships, and issues of ownership and control.

Key Features

• Updated second edition: Revised content and new case studies provide a contemporary view of the creative industries and recent debates affecting arts managers.
• Interdisciplinary approach: Draws on management, economics and cultural studies to help readers understand how different perspectives shape decision making in arts organisations.
• Focus on public policy: Examines arts and the State and instrumentalism, giving readers context for funding and governance choices.
• Practical discussion of business relations: Explores the relationship between business practices and artistic goals to help practitioners reconcile commercial and aesthetic objectives.
• Ownership and control analysis: Considers governance and control issues so managers can identify stakeholders and power dynamics within cultural institutions.

Who It's For

Arts Management is aimed primarily at students studying arts administration, cultural policy or creative industries, and at early-career arts managers who need a broad, scholarly yet practical introduction. The book suits classroom use and individual study where a grounded overview of institutional responsibilities and contemporary debates is required.

Those who should look elsewhere include readers seeking step-by-step operational manuals, how-to fundraising playbooks, or highly technical financial templates; this edition emphasizes conceptual frameworks, case discussion and interdisciplinary analysis rather than templates and checklists.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear interdisciplinary framing helps readers see how managerial, economic and aesthetic aims interact.
• New case studies and revised chapters keep the material relevant to current debates in the creative industries.
• Good coverage of public policy and the role of the State provides useful context for funding and strategy discussions.

Cons

• Not a practical toolkit: readers seeking operational checklists or templates will find limited direct procedural guidance.

Specifications

Title	Arts Management (Discovering the Creative Industries)
Edition	Second edition, thoroughly revised
Author / Brand	Derrick Chong
Scope	Management, cultural policy, arts and the State, ownership and control
Approach	Interdisciplinary with case studies
Audience	Arts managers, students, cultural sector professionals

Our Verdict

For students and emerging arts managers who need a concise, interdisciplinary overview of how artistic, managerial and social responsibilities overlap, this revised edition is a strong, good-value choice. It provides timely case studies and policy context that help readers think strategically, even if those seeking detailed operational tools will need supplementary practical guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for classroom use?
Yes; the second edition's revised chapters and case studies make it well suited to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in arts management.

Does it include practical templates or checklists?
No; the book emphasizes conceptual frameworks and case discussion rather than step-by-step operational templates.

Which topics does it cover?
Key topics include arts and the State, instrumentalism in cultural policy, business relations, and issues of ownership and control within cultural organisations.