5 essential skills all arts managers need

Experienced arts professionals reveal the management skills they rely on most to succeed in their jobs.

25 Jul 2022 7:00

Jo Pickup

Two people at an outside table with a laptop talking through a project

All Arts

Roles in arts management involve huge amounts of collaboration, and require highly developed people skills from those at the top of their game. Image by Headway via unsplash.

Roles in arts management are as diverse as they are demanding. Arts managers often make hard-nosed business decisions while undertaking important work to deliver new work and build artistic programs.

ArtsHub asked five experienced arts managers to share the skills and key moments that have defined their pathways in management roles.

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ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).