Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work within an arts organisation context. As such the unit requires a general knowledge and understanding of the spectrum of arts organisations and the application of that knowledge to specific work practices.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Prerequisite units 

This unit underpins work performance across the cultural industries and therefore has linkages to many other units within several cultural industries Training Packages, e.g.:

• Visual Arts Craft and Design
• Entertainment
• Music
• Film, TV, Radio and Multimedia.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Apply knowledge of the arts industry .

1.1 Identify and access relevant sources of information  on the arts industry.

1.2 Evaluate information for relevance to own area of work.

1.3 Correctly identify the location of the specific work context within the spectrum of arts organisations .

1.4 Use industry knowledge  to enhance the quality of work practice within the arts organisation.

2 Adapt work practices to an arts organisation context .

2.1 Use industry knowledge to determine the ways in which work practices may need to be adjusted in a given context.

2.2 Adjust work practices to suit particular arts contexts, taking account of different roles and industry structures .

3 Liaise with other arts organisations .

3.1 Correctly identify individuals and networks used when working in an arts organisation context.

3.2 Use industry knowledge to communicate appropriately with other arts organisations and individuals.

Required Skills and knowledge 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills :

• literacy skills sufficient to interpret information on arts organisations.

Required knowledge :

• broad range of arts organisations and the different contexts in which they operate, including interrelationships
• philosophy, approach and style of different types of arts organisations
• style of work practices in different types of arts organisations
• arts industry networks as relevant to the specific context.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• general knowledge of the arts industry as detailed under Underpinning skills and knowledge
• understanding of how industry knowledge can be applied to work activities to maximise effective performance.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment context must provide for:

• project or work activities that allow the candidate to access and apply industry information to specific contexts and work activities.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• case studies to assess application of knowledge to different industry contexts and situations
• oral or written questions to assess knowledge of different aspects of the arts industry
• review of portfolios of evidence
• third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate.

Assessment of this unit requires access to the materials resources and equipment needed to research information on a range of arts organisations.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sources of information  on the arts industry may include:

• discussions with industry colleagues
• electronic media
• industry journals
• Internet
• own experience and observation
• seminars/industry functions
• texts and references.

Arts organisations  may include:

• artist-run organisations
• collectives, cooperatives
• commercial galleries
• community based, Indigenous organisations
• competitions, awards
• government subsidised organisations
• industry organisations
• museums
• not-for-profit organisations
• peak bodies

• public galleries (national, state, regional)
• theatres.

Ways in which knowledge  could be used to adjust/enhance work practice may relate to:

• greater efficiencies
• identification of potential partnerships/co-operative approaches
• more appropriate communication with colleagues
• sharing of resources
• tailoring of administrative systems.

Different structures  for arts organisations may relate to:

• accountability
• decision making
• funding
• legal/governance structures
• orientation
• philosophy
• staffing (volunteers, specialists, multi-skilled)
• timeframes.