Arts management in institutional theatres in Turkey in the context of the professionalization of art: istanbul metropolitan municipality city theaters

ABSTRACT Arts Management in Institutional Theatres in Turkey in the Context of the Professionalization of Art: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theaters This thesis examines the transformation of the concept of arts management in Turkey within the context of public theatre institutions, with the aim of analyzing the administrative structure of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theaters from an arts management perspective. The study explores the managerial organization, decision-making processes, the relationship between artistic and administrative bodies, personnel policies, and the interaction with cultural policies. The position of the arts manager within this structure, their capacity to guide artistic production, and their ability to maintain institutional balance are taken as focal points. The research was conducted using a qualitative method, and data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. These interviews were carried out with individuals actively involved in the artistic and administrative processes of the institution. The data obtained were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis method. Through the processes of coding and theme formation, findings were reached concerning the practical implementation of arts management and how it is shaped by structural, administrative, and cultural dynamics. In this context, the study reveals how arts management functions within a publicly funded cultural institution like the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theaters, and identifies the responsibilities, constraints, and tensions faced by the arts manager within a bureaucratic structure. The relationship between art and administration, the centralization of decision-making processes, and the participation of creative staff in these processes are evaluated thematically. Moda Sahnesi is included in the study as an independent theatre institution that presents an alternative to public institutions. It serves as a supportive example that contributes to a better understanding of the current arts management model in City Theaters. Moda Sahnesi's horizontal management approach based on artistic representation highlights the limitations of the public model and allows for an understanding of how the role of the arts manager is shaped under different organizational structures. In this respect, the thesis aims to make visible the multilayered role of the arts manager in the process of cultural production and to offer an original conceptual and practical contribution to the literature on arts management in Turkey. Keywords: Arts Management, Theatre Management, Institutional Structure, Cultural Policy, City Theaters, Moda Sahnesi