Values of Culture: On the Relationship between Economics, Culture, and the Arts

• August 17-26, 2009
• Location: Academia Vitae, Deventer.
• Sponsored by Academia Vitae & Erasmus University Rotterdam.
• Language of instruction: English.
• Application deadline: 20 April 2009.

Culture manifests itself in everything human, including everyday business, political, and intellectual life. Cultural values influence negotiations and creativity in the environments where all of us — the city planner, the politician, the teacher, the business leader, the curator — are forced into the relationship between economics and culture.

This course examines how that relationship affects our work and has influence on the work of others. It explores the tension between the world of economics and the world of the arts, the practices of cultural entrepreneurship, the challenge of financing precious works, the functioning of the art market, international cultural policies, the important role of creativity in the modern economy, and the economics of cultural heritage.

Students with little or no economic background will be able to take a seminar on basic economic principles (at a level sufficient to pursue the Master of Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship at Erasmus University).

Students will take part in debates on recent thought in the economics of the arts and cultural entrepreneurship, and learn from actual cases in the world of the arts and culture. They will be surrounded by prominent cultural entrepreneurs in the charming, historical town of Deventer, situated between the cultural and economic meccas of Amsterdam and Berlin.

How to apply

• Download and complete application.
• Further information and questions should be directed by email to Lusy Petrova, Program Coordinator.

This is a Master's level course open to:

• Students who intend to focus on cultural economics and related issues
• Lecturers and researchers involved in cultural management, policies, and studies
• Professionals working for or with private and public cultural institutions
• Curious people who would like to know more about the subject and how it affects their lives

Faculty

The faculty comprises internationally recognized scholars in the history, philosophy, and economics of culture. They come from Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. Pictured from left to right:

• Professor Arjo Klamer, Director, Academia Vitae Summer Programs
• Professor Antoon van den Braembussche, Free University Brussels
• Professor Kazuko Goto, Saitama University and Ikegami (photo currently unavailable)
• Professor Isidoro Mazza, Cultural Economist, University of Catania (photo currently unavailable)
• Dr. Olav Velthuis, University of Amsterdam
• Dr. Filip Vermeylen, Erasmus University
• Dr. Anna Mignosa, Cultural Economist, University of Catania
• Drs. Lyudmilla Petrova, Cultural Economist, Erasmus University

Program

• Students learn by interacting with texts, teachers, and each other.
• Students will be divided into small groups to complete a common project.
• Field trips include visits to Westergas, the van Gogh museum, Rijksmuseum, Dutch windmills, and Kröller-Müller museum
• In accordance with the method of Academia Vitae we begin with the questions and experiences of the participants. The teachers will stimulate, further, and deepen their thinking. In the end what has been learned will be applied to actual cases.
• The course will include meetings with successful cultural entrepreneurs.
• A maximum of 30 students will be admitted.

Cost and accommodation:

• Professionals: €1500 (includes materials and refreshments)
• Students: €750 (includes materials and refreshments)
• The cost of accomodation is not included in the fee. Academia Vitae has a list of hotel and bed and breakfast addresses in the vicinity or see VVV Deventer
• Meals provided at cost
• A limited number of grants is available. Participants seeking financial support should send a letter of motivation and curriculum vitae.

Credits

• Students receive an Academia Vitae Certificate in Cultural Economics after successful completion of the program.
• Students needing academic credit should contact us beforehand to discuss current school's requirements.