Rationale:
This module builds on the learning and practice undertaken through the Level 4 ‘Principles of Event Management’ Module, and offers students an opportunity to develop their special interests and expertise and to engage proactively with the areas of the music industry, the arts, and community and cultural special events, in the UK and internationally. Whilst there is a national and International growth in the Festival and special events industry) the county of Suffolk itself has a tradition of and growing reputation for music and arts festivals (IpART, Jimmy’s Farm Harvest Festival, Latitude, Aldeburgh, High Tide to name a few) and agricultural shows. Festivals Suffolk is a campaign by Choose Suffolk that promotes Suffolk as the festival capital of the UK.
There is increasing recognition of the role of festivals and events as positive economic and social drivers, globally and in the UK. The festival industry in the UK alone provides a significant massive boost to local and national economies and the enhanced opportunities afforded through technology and communications by and through the Internet provide an international market for exploration. Hence the employment opportunities are significant and the scope for student learning and development is without boundaries. The growth in community projects, extended and encouraged by the Governments’ ‘Big Society’ initiative (2010) provides further scope for employment.