Camille Ignacio, MA

"As someone who intends to enter the museums, arts, and cultural sector but who lacks the practical experience required, attending the Cultural Management certificate course has been the best next step I could have taken for my professional career.

It has been beneficial to gain insight into the cultural management practices of experts working in Vienna and beyond, who were generous with the information they shared, giving us a fair mix of theoretical foundations and anecdotal situations to analyze and discuss. The module and lecture topics did not shy away from what today’s societal climate requires of the cultural industries, among them being community involvement, audience development, and cultural diplomacy. Classes were well-organized by the program management team, and the required monthly assignments helped immensely with my presentation skills. 

It was especially wonderful to attend classes with a diverse group of individuals all committed to cultural and social development. The scientific leadership team has proven to be very intellectually and morally supportive, and they have been accessible as mentors even after the program. This group of people have comprised the most nurturing and inspiring learning environment I’ve ever been part of.

My personal challenge now is to relocate this information from the Cultural Management certificate course into the context and needs of contemporary Philippine society. The certificate course has proven effective in boosting not just my knowledge of the sector's inner workings, but also the confidence I have in my own abilities as a potential contributor to the industry."

Christine Schelle, M.A.

"As I left the first session of "Cultural Management" I realized: this course is about much more than getting information about how to apply for an EU-project. After highly intense modules with very unique lecturers it turned out to be a changing point in my work as a curator in a museum of modern art. It opened my mind to strike a new path of collaboration with all kind of partners in the field of arts and culture. I felt encouraged to think in international dimensions without missing all the important little steps of what makes a project notable. The skills and the insights I gained helped me to initiate own projects. At the same time it was inspiring to listen to the other presentations and to discuss different aspects such as the importance of social relevance or audience development. Retrospectively I gained much more than I expected and it professionalized my work in many ways."

Alena Baich

"I learned a great deal from the Certificate Course "Cultural Management" and profited a lot professionally and on a personal level. The subject-specific program, the course instructors as well as the international guest professors shared knowledge, network and perspectives, which I will gladly adopt as director of a cultural association. Finally the informal atmosphere, the inspiring exchange with colleagues really broadened my horizon."

Menno van Duuren

"State of the art knowledge of Cultural Management, immediately applicable in my current position in the management of a Dutch symphony orchestra: that’s what I wanted to get out of this course. And I did! Even more: the subjects and cases presented by the outstanding scientific team and international guest lecturers took me beyond the world of my daily work, into new realms, they widened my views and sharpened my mind. I was challenged to dig deep for fundamental reasons and authentic justifications, as well as to look high up and far ahead to find new opportunities and inspiration. It worked: I found many new assets for my future career, wherever in the European cultural field that may be. 
On top of that, I am grateful to have found new friends and dear colleagues from seven countries, having shared so many impressions and experiences during this highly intensive course."

Ignacio Hurtado

"Having studied this program as an architecture and design journalist, who is keen on developing, managing, and financing projects focused on these creative industries, was an accurate decision. Conceived to some extent like an ‘intensive boot camp,’ the course exceeded my expectancy, since it encourages the exchange of skills and knowledge within a multicultural environment, under the personalized guidance of the scientific leaders, as well as the administrative team of the Postgraduate Center.

In addition to the theoretical basis, one of the most significant inspirations was the first-hand expertise from diverse lecturers into their respective work settings. In the same way, with the challenge of coping with solo presentations, a collective synergy among colleagues and academics emerged, which motivates me, even more, to put into practice in my country of origin all the gained experiences."

Johanna Rudorfer

"Searching for a postgraduate professional education to deepen my experience in project management and focus on a cultural specialization, the Cultural Management Course was a perfect match. My expectations were exceeded as it was extremely well balanced (practical lectures were always embedded in a profound academic setting) and really efficient in terms of organization and administration. 

The course didn’t only improve my skills in audience development, community involvement and intercultural communication, but also had a great impact on my personal development and confidence. Lecturers from all over the world inspired the participants with their expertise and experience. In this international set up I had the possibility to grow and develop, always supported by the ambitions Course Management for whom it really was a personal concern that everybody could make the most of the course. In addition, getting to know peers from all over the globe was a great personal enrichment and inspiration for future projects and cooperation."

Mag.art. Elisabeth Schlegel

"The Cultural Management Course seemed to be perfect for me in order to widen my professionel horizon. As a specialist in the field of painting's conservation I gained additional skills for carrying out independent cultural or art related projects. The course was scheduled very intense, but according to the part-time-one-semester format, it was just perfect. I would not like to miss out on any of the interesting lectures we were offered.

I personally liked, that the course was organized in a very practical and motivating way. Also I decided for the course, because of it's international set-up, which enriched all our individual projects with many additional mind opening aspects. I felt well guided through the course and especially profited from the expertises of our supervisors and the general program management."

Mag. Philip Templ

"After years in the field of cultural and political education in a museum, I had a strong desire to get new input and improve my competences and skills referring to the topics project coordination and project financing in the cultural sector. What I have gained from the course was much more. Working together on individual projects with people from all over the world with different skills and backgrounds was inspiring and motivating and put every project/idea on a higher level of professionalisation.

The course-weekends were good organised and well elaborated with theoretical and practical lectures from international experts, who gave us new and additional insights in the cultural sector. Combined with the strong support of the Course Management and Administration the Cultural Management Course encouraged me, to belief in my concepts and bringing them into life."