Overview
Festival Culture Project examines festivals as cultural, artistic, social, and economic phenomena. Students investigate festival histories, rituals, symbols, narratives, community meanings, identity formation, and the use of public space through interdisciplinary research and case analysis.
The course develops applied capabilities in cultural research, programming, creative direction, audience development, event operations, budgeting, sponsorship, accessibility, sustainability, risk management, digital promotion, and post-event evaluation. Students engage with local, national, and international festival examples and, where appropriate, consult community stakeholders using ethical and culturally responsive methods.
The culminating project requires students to propose, produce, or critically document a festival concept. Emphasis is placed on collaborative production practice, coherent artistic and operational planning, inclusive participation, responsible resource management, and evaluation of cultural, social, and organisational impact.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze festival cultures using interdisciplinary cultural, artistic, social, and economic perspectives.
- Evaluate the histories, rituals, symbols, narratives, and community meanings associated with selected festivals.
- Conduct ethical cultural research and integrate relevant stakeholder perspectives into festival development.
- Develop a coherent festival concept, artistic rationale, programme, and audience proposition.
- Construct an operational plan addressing budgeting, sponsorship, accessibility, sustainability, safety, risk, and resource management.
- Create an audience development and communications strategy using appropriate digital and community channels.
- Collaborate effectively within production teams and apply professional project-management practices.
- Evaluate the cultural, social, organisational, and audience impact of a festival project using appropriate evidence and reflective analysis.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Seminar | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Practicum | 3 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Research dossier | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Festival concept proposal | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Production plan | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Reflective journal | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Final project presentation | 15.00% |
| Exam | Project evaluation | 10.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
