Applications for the 2008 Multicultural Arts Professional Development (MAPD) program are now open.

Multicultural Arts Professional Development (MAPD) is a national leadership programs in the arts initiated by the Australia Council for the Arts, and presented by the Australian Multicultural Foundation, RMIT University and Kape Communications. The program will begin with an intensive from 18-24 August 2008.

MAPD is a program for arts and cultural managers, arts marketers, community arts specialists, producers, curators and artists, who wish to refine their skills in utilising local and global cultural diversity for audience development, marketing and targeted communications; creative collaboration and project development and international cultural relations.

MAPD alumni have opportunities to secure overseas internships with leading institutions and individuals; they generate new arts and cultural programs built on cultural diversity; and enhanced their careers. MAPD includes the key areas of cultural brokerage; innovation in entrepreneurship; income generation; culturally diverse marketing, communications and branding; and emotional intelligence.

MAPD begins with a seven day intensive period in Melbourne in August at RMIT University followed by on-line delivery, consultations and one-to-one advice for a period of up to eight months. MAPD consultants are leaders in their fields. They include, the eminent Peter Sheldrake, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Chris Booth the head of Leadership Studies at RMIT University, Mr. Hass Dellal OAM – Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, and Fotis Kapetopoulos, with expertise in multicultural arts marketing.

MAPD includes theory as well as practical hands-on practice. Importantly the program integrates arts and non-arts industries such as tourism, human resource management, multicultural awareness and policy in building a stronger awareness of cultural brokerage, marketing and communications and leadership in the arts. MAPD also hosts various industry speakers, arranges site visits and facilitates access to international experts.

MAPD challenges participants with new approaches in dealing with culturally diverse local, national and global arts and cultural industries. It is a program focused on achieving participants’ goals be in project development and presentation, communications and marketing, organisational change and/or career development. Those who complete MAPD have the opportunity to be part of the MAPD Alumni and continue to extend their knowledge and practice.

Participants who complete the MAPD assessment tasks are eligible for credit against the Masters of Business Administration as an elective in Current Issues in Business at RMIT University.

MAPD applicants who are Australian citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply for a partial fee subsidy, through the support of the Australia Council for the Arts.

Those that complete MAPD are also eligible to apply for an annual overseas internship. The internship is in New York City working with culturally diverse audience development specialist Ms Donna Walker-Kuhne.

Applications close 28 July 2008. For more information, contact Fotis at Kape Communications by email mail@kape.com.au, phone (03) 9470 1099 or vists www.kape.com.au