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To succeed in the creative industries and today’s demanding and dynamic world, you’ll need to master both business and management skills – which makes Acknowledge Creativity’s Diploma of Creative Enterprise an invaluable part of your career arsenal.
‘The Diploma of Creative Enterprise bridges the gap between business and creativity, because business is creative,’ said Suzanne Jackson, Managing Director of Acknowledge Creativity, a division of Acknowledge Education.
Acknowledge Creativity is an industry-facing organisation that values its partnerships with many leading arts institutions and industry professionals. This understanding and appreciation of the creative industries infuses everything participants do as they work towards their new qualification. And unlike most business courses, this one has been specifically designed by creatives for creatives with significant input from leading practitioners in the field.
The Diploma is ideally suited to people ready to take the next step in their arts management career, and arts entrepreneurs who want to see their ideas blossom into reality. It develops key skills that are transferrable across a wide range of positions and industries, giving participants considerable career flexibility. Diploma graduates have a strong foundation in business management, a thorough understanding of entrepreneurship, and a clear knowledge of applying creativity as a value-adding strategy in businesses and organisations outside the arts sector.
‘It’s all very well being creative, but unless you can actually get it out there in front of the right people, then you’re really working alone,’ said Matt Leach, an industry professional who has been a facilitator in the Diploma.
‘This course comes at a perfect time. With business and marketing, learning about pitching and how to put budgets together, even how to talk to the client and get the money from them, these will keep you going and keep you in business, that’s the important thing,’’ he said.
Many people enrolling in the Diploma have a business idea but are uncertain about how to take it to market. Some may lack the skills or confidence to make it happen and are fearful of the risks in business. The Diploma helps them to find clarity, define their focus, develop a business plan, and learn the essential skills needed to take their vision from idea to reality.
Participants also benefit from industry insights, and from forming new relationships that will be valuable long after they receive their Diploma. These friendships are nurtured in the Diploma’s small-group sessions where all participants share ideas and learning in a round-table setting. The sessions are collaborative and innovative, emulating real-world best practice.
Chris Hewson, a start-up specialist and course facilitator at Acknowledge Creativity, said: ‘With business being in a period of disruption, responding to the challenges of tomorrow’s workplace requires students to develop creative, innovative, enterprising and adaptable skills.’
One of the unique features of the Diploma is the availability of constant one-on-one support and mentoring by entrepreneurs and industry professionals, offering personal coaching in vital areas such as cash flow management, pitching, taxation, negotiation, contracts, and logo and brand development.
From the very beginning, participants adopt new creative, entrepreneurial, and technical mindsets, developing skills and attributes that can be applied to their workplace immediately. This real-world focus is an important attribute of the Diploma. Creativity may be at its heart, but the course is built on practical, translatable skills.
‘I really, really liked the course,’ said Tom English, rugby player with the Melbourne Rebels. ‘There are only about 12 to 14 people, all of different backgrounds and with different expertise, so you develop close relationships, and you feel comfortable sharing ideas.’
The eight core study units include Idea Generation and Innovation; Leading with Vision, Purpose and Values; Understanding Finance; Negotiating Pricing and Contracts; Collaborative Sales, Marketing and PR; Managing the Budget and Business Information; Cultural Communication and Behaviour; and Managing the Growth Process.
The Diploma can also be used by organisations as part of their future proofing and change management strategies. ‘They may want to enrol multiple staff in the programme as a way to incorporate greater creative and entrepreneurial thinking in to their business,’ said Jackson.
The diversity of business proposals around the table is always inspiring. Diploma participants are currently pursuing exciting start-up ideas in design, fashion, performance arts, digital platforms, sustainability, wellbeing, and hospitality. The programme ensures they receive constant feedback and support with the development of their business plans. Participants are able to work on their business plans in the fully equipped workspaces provided on campus.
‘We want participants to succeed,’ said Jackson, ‘and are pleased to offer a grant of $10,000 for the best business proposal developed through the program.’
Most Diploma participants are already in the workforce, so the course is accessible to people with demanding work or life commitments. Sessions are scheduled at various timeslots during the day, after work, and on the weekend.
Applications are now open for the next Diploma of Creative Enterprise beginning on 25th February and 18th March”. The programme is FEE-HELP applicable.
For more information, go to www.acknowledgecreativity.
