ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author provides some theory and concepts developed by other writers as a context for her considerations. As one of her favourite writers on organisations says, "theory is about mobilizing ideas, arguments and explanations to try to make sense of practice but also to influence practice". In a review of arts management textbooks, C. Fitzgibbon notes that knowledge can "be acquired through the thoughtful examination of best practices with the exploration of scenarios". What the author hope that she have avoided is "inanities masquerading as profound insights", a warning that Stewart gives about management gurus in his insightful book The Management Myth. Some of the stories have been changed to protect both the innocent and the guilty. The world of arts management is a world of complexity and uncertainty, of creativity and poverty, of joy and frustration.
