Subjects offered during the course

1. ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS (10 hours)

The purpose of the course is to explore the world of alternative investments such as investments in real estate, hedge funds, private equity/venture capital funds, emotional assets (e.g. art, wine). To combine theory with empirical exercises, during the course selected tools used by investors and managers investing in alternative assets will be presented and practiced. The course provides also the base of knowledge and skills that can be used to actively work in alternative investments business.

1. ART GALLARIES AND AUCTION HOUSES (10 hours)

The main objective of the course is to familiarize students with the exhibitions placed in Krakow's art galleries, as well as the history and scope of the activities of art galleries and auction houses in Krakow. During the course, students will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the specifics of the activities carried out by art galleries and auction houses. In addition, an element of the course will be visits to the art studios of selected artists to learn about working techniques, as well as issues related to the organization of vernissages and the promotion of artists from the artist's point of view.

1. ART LAW (5 hours)

This course focuses on legal issues related to visual arts and explores the artists’ rights in their work of arts specifically matters relating to property rights, including copyright, moral rights and resale rights while examining issues relating to license agreements with third parties. This course will cover a number of intersections between the law and the people and institutions who constitute the world of the visual arts, including artists, museums, collectors, dealers, and auctioneers.

1. ON ART AND CURATING (25 hours)

The course serves as an introduction into understanding the phenomenon of art in its varied forms and meanings through human history. It invites to pose all sorts of questions about creativity and roles it plays in cultures, societies and individual lives. A core of the course is a modern practice of exhibiting art at galleries, museums and all sorts of public spaces. Exhibitions allow art to emerge from hiding places of artists’ studios or collections to a wide audience. Thanks to expertise of skilled curators artistic forms can raise awareness, pose dilemmas, lead narrations, spread stories, interact with the spectator – stimulate sensitivity and encourage reflection.

1. PERSONAL FINANCE (10 hours)

The main scope of the course concentrates on issues related to personal finance in the context of household finance management and investing on the art market. During the course students will discuss issues like: risk management, insurance, budget management, saving and investing. The course will conclude with a presentation of the theory of economic behavior of households. In addition to the classic lectures, the course includes numerous student activities (workshops, case studies, elements of problem-based learning).

1. KRAKOW MUSEUMS – TRADITION AND MODERNITY (5 hours)

Presentation of Polish art on the example of cultural institutions. The aim of the course is to familiarize participants with the specificity of Polish museology on the example of Krakow museums and galleries. Starting with the presentation of art collected in the National Museum in Krakow, introducing individual branches of the city; Cloth Hall, Czartoryski Museum, Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace, and the Main Building with the XX and XXI century art collection. Continuing the story of Polish contemporary art on the example of MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art), the International Cultural Centre, the Nowa Huta Art Centre.

1. ART MARKET (10 hours)

Students will gather a broad knowledge of the basic structures and practices in the art market. Students will learn about the roles and functions of various market players. They will discuss how works of art circulate through the market, and how this circulation determines value, both historically and in the current market. Based on this, students will critique the market's functioning today and develop business ideas that will change its functioning in the future.

1. ART BANKING (10 hours)

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the role of banks in the financial system, with a particular focus on banking products and services, and above all to familiarise students with the role of banks in private banking and artbanking.

1. CULTURAL HERITAGE AND STAKEHOLDERS’ MANAGEMENT (15 hours)

The aim of the course is to introduce the arts and heritage sectors, identify their stakeholders and discuss how the cultural heritage including tangible and intangible assets can become a part of the city branding strategy and consequently generate impact on the city development and territorial positioning.

1. EVENT MANAGEMENT (15 hours)

Event management is a dynamic industry that has grown considerably over the last two decades. With the development of technologies new forms of events have appeared (e.g., hackathons) however face-to-face meetings are still highly valued by organisations. Whether big or small entities, events form part of their marketing strategy. The content of the course is twofold. It combines theoretical aspects of event mastering with practical knowledge. The purpose of the course is to introduce the course participants to the event industry, the existing techniques and mechanisms (e.g. Eventbrite) used by the event managers who have a range of creative and technical responsibilities that can shift with each project and who are in charge of research, planning as well as overseeing execution, often in minute detail. The focus of the course is put on the practical aspects of event preparation and management, especially in arts, culture and heritage sectors.

1. FROM MEDIEVAL TO CONTEMPORARY: THE ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN KRAKOW (10 hours)

The course offers an in-depth introduction to the diversity of artistic achievements, influences, styles, trends and movements observed in the fine arts and architecture in Krakow in the broader context of Europe, in particular Central and Eastern Europe. As the historical capital of Poland has for over a millennium played the role of a major artistic center in this part of Europe and remains the best preserved historic urban complex in Poland included among first inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List, focusing on Krakow offers students a unique opportunity to learn and experience all periods and chapters in the historic development of art and architecture in the Polish lands ranging from Medieval times (Romanesque and Gothic art) throughout Renaissance and Baroque periods up to 19th and 20th century artistic movements.

1. POLISH CULTURE, HERITAGE AND HISTORY AND ITS CENTRAL EUROPEAN CONTEXT (15 hours)

The course introduces students to most important events, processes and historical figures in Polish history presenting it not only through facts but also using material evidence such as works of fine art and architecture as well as poetry and literature. History of Poland is presented in the broader context of European history with special emphasis placed on its links and parallels with the experiences of other Central and Eastern European countries.

The Project is financed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange under the SPINAKER Programme.