Futures in management

Is Management a subject, a profession, or a way of life? How will it be interpreted tomorrow, next year, next century? Does the future even have a role for Management?

All of these questions will be addressed in an exciting new exhibition of photographs, taken by students and staff from the University of St Andrews’ School of Management.  The dynamic range of images will be displayed on the third floor of the Gateway Building from 12th May 2008.

Whether your interests lie in photography or in the field of business, the exhibition has something to offer. It will showcase both the work of those who have explored the subject primarily on an aesthetic level and those who have carefully considered growing trends in the workplace.

This will be the inaugural exhibition of the creative talents of the School of Management. Based on an idea conceived by scholars in the School, the exhibition is set to be the first of many. Management staff and students were invited to submit photographs around the broad topic of ‘Futures of Management’, interpreting the theme as they so wished. Entrants have explored the theme in very different ways, providing an engaging basis for the exhibition. Between them, the images reflect on archetypal business environments, challenge accepted views, and even look to the sustainable future of Management, and the shift of emphasis from the West to the East.

Co-curated by the international curator Alexandra Ross and Art History undergraduate Alice Tunmore, the project has been supported by an impressive line-up of notorieties. The established Dundee-based photographer Ross McLean has offered his technical expertise throughout the project, and has kindly donated Hong Kong Central 2007, which can be seen alongside the other photographs on display. This work is taken from his on-going series “Concrete Futures”, which focuses on urban density and circles around the growing mega cities of China and the East.

Professor Peter McKiernan, the Head of School, and Professor Nic Beech have been intimately involved, providing the subject knowledge to support the aesthetics of the project. The exhibition draws on the aims of the School more generally; staff and students within the department were asked to question traditional thinking, to interrogate and consider what Management is today and where its future lies.

Professor McKiernan said, “The School of Management at St Andrews has had a strong association with the cultural industries since its inception. We have hosted several ‘artists in residence’, developed an international Institute for Capitalising on Creativity (ICC) under the direction of Professor Barbara Townley, launched undergraduate and Masters programmes in the creative industries and stimulated a great deal of original research work.

“When the University asked each School to contribute to its 600th Anniversary, we thought it would be a good idea to document the ‘Future of Management’ in a series of annual photographic competitions so that the eventual product could be a precious collection for display in the School and more widely through publications. This could be the legacy of the current staff and students to the University’s forthcoming celebrations.”

An official opening of the exhibition will take place on Monday 12th May 2008, 1.15 – 1.50 pm on the third floor of the Gateway building. Alongside guest speakers, the event will include a short prize-giving ceremony and wine reception. All are welcome.

Exhibition hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. Admission is free.

For enquiries, contact [email protected]

ENDS

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:

IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESS OFFICE – CONTACTS BELOW.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, email [email protected]
Ref:  Futures in Management 080508
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