The methodology of a minor miracle: killing a myth through strategic planning in the Elam School of Fine Arts

Abstract

This paper reports the planning processes used in one of New Zealand’s premier schools of fine art. Elam has a culture of exuberant individualism, high productivity and disciplinary sectionalism. There is a belief that it is cantankerously and inevitably unbiddable, and yet, paradoxically, it is well enough organised to shape New Zealand’s cultural identity, consistently producing some of its finest visual artists and designers. Processes were drawn from action research, organisational development and educative leadership theory to develop a collective purpose with goals and objectives, and program plans and budgets for 1998. It is shown that there was no “minor miracle” involved, just the death of a myth about Elam’s incapacity to learn as a School.

Citation

Macpherson, R. (1999), "The methodology of a minor miracle: killing a myth through strategic planning in the Elam School of Fine Arts", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 13 No. 6, pp. 272-280. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513549910294478