Arts Law

Postgraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
BUSI 5101
Course ID icon
Course ID
205586
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
5
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course aims to provide a broad overview of the legal environment of business for arts managers and to make them aware of the relevant legal issues in order to be more effective and efficient facilitators between the two worlds of business and the arts. This course starts with a general introduction to the legal systems in Australia and other countries. Then, it covers such topics as legal structures of arts organisations, managers' legal obligations, law of contract, employment, consumer protection, tort, insurance, intellectual property and censorship.

Course learning outcomes

  • Analyse the major legal systems from around the world and the basic legal framework and methods used in Australia based on common law system and their relevance to the arts sector.
  • Evaluate the pros and cons of various legal structures available for arts organisations.
  • Critically discuss of managers' legal obligations within arts organisations.
  • Analyse contractual rights and obligations affecting the arts industry.
  • Critically review tortious liability, and distinguish it from criminal liability as applied to the arts industry.
  • Deconstruct the characteristics of intellectual property rights and their international development as pertaining to the arts industry.
  • Demonstrate Business Enterprise Skills in the context of the Arts and Cultural Management discipline: i) Self-Management (advanced level), ii) Problem Solving (advanced level); iii) Ethical Awareness (advanced level); iv) Written Communication (advanced level); and v) International Perspective (intermediate level).

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A