MU1S44 - Principles of Artist Development 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MU1S44
Module Title: Principles of Artist Development
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader: Lloyd George
Module Team: Lucy Squire, Skip Curtis, David Coker
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100643 - music and arts management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

In this module, students will explore the history of artist development through to contemporary issues such as dealing with artist’s mental health. Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of how the music artists can be developed; exploring the artist/manager relationship and the A&R process from creation through to realisation.

Content Summary

The module will cover the human and commercial elements which interconnect to realise the Artist Development process:
Understanding the creative individual;
Artist management – theory, practice and business arrangements; The expanded responsibilities of the modern artist and growing capacity for self-determination;
Entrepreneurship, creative publishing and the need for innovative approaches to artist development. A comprehensive overview with historical context and breaking-news stories will foster an appreciation of this vital and constantly evolving bed-rock of the Music Business.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 24
Independent Study 92
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Identify the core principles of artist development and recognise the key players in the artist development process.
LO2 Discuss the relationship between traditional artist development and modern-day pressures music artist face within the Music industry.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Presentation (Asynchronous) 1 Individual Presentation: Exploring the role of an Artist Manager, and how they help to develop artists 15 N/A 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Artist Development Report 0 2400 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Asynchronous) 1
Essay 1

Reading List

Allen, P. (2018). Artist Management for the Music Business. Taylor & Francis Group.
Passman, D. (2019) All You Need To Know About The Music Business. (10th Ed). New York: Viking
Herstand, A. (2019) HOW TO MAKE IT IN THE NEW MUSIC BUSINESS?: practical tips on building a loyal following... and making a living as a musician. S.L.: Liveright Publishing Corp
Riches, N. and Music Managers Forum (2012). The music management bible?: the definitive guide to understanding music management. London: Music Managers Forum.
Kaufman, J.C. (2014). Creativity and mental illness. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Harrison, A. (2017). Music?: the business. Virgin Books.