University of Canberra

Graduate Certificate in Creative Business

This course is about starting, building, financing and managing creative businesses. It brings together students from different creative industries to work on a common core of business problems shared by all creative businesses. The course combines instruction in business fundamentals with case studies, group exercises and an individual project. The teaching is deeply grounded in the evolved business models and practices of the creative industries. It is distinguished by its persistent attention to the challenges of creative businesses. Students will learn how to take control of the business aspects of the creative work they do and by doing so, build viable creative businesses and lead sustainably creative lives. Graduates are likely to be already employed or find employment in creative industries. Many are likely to be self-employed. A goal of the course is to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to start or expand their own creative businesses. The course will be offered for part-time study at this time. It is envisaged that a full-time option will be offered in the future. Unit content and sequencing have been designed to provide a scaffolded learning experience. In the first semester, students are introduced to the structures and processes that house and shape creative enterprises; in the second semester, the focus shifts to the skills and tools employed in everyday operation of a creative business. The progression is thus from external and initial conditions to internal and continuing conditions. Students will have the opportunity to apply and integrate their learning by working on a personal business plan throughout the course.