Kaari Kiitsak-Prikk

With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, I specialise in cultural management, with a strong focus on curriculum development, career pathways, and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets in the arts. My work combines teaching, research, academic leadership, and career counselling, with an emphasis on connecting education, society, and the cultural sector.

I hold a PhD in Management from Estonian Business School, where my research focused on the governance and management of public cultural organisations. I also hold an MA in Cultural Management from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT), complemented by studies in stage management, project management, counselling, and entrepreneurship training.

At EAMT, I serve as Head of Department of Musicology, Music Pedagogy and Cultural Management. I have been closely involved in the development and coordination of an international MA programme in Cultural Management, as well as in designing interdisciplinary learning formats. This includes creating a cultural entrepreneurship module for music students and developing an international career and entrepreneurship platform for arts students.

My teaching covers cultural management and leadership, cultural policy and legislation, project management, career planning, and entrepreneurial skills. Alongside teaching, I supervise theses and provide career counselling to students, supporting their transition into diverse professional contexts. I enjoy facilitating workshops and engaging communities in arts-based methods.

I have extensive experience in international collaboration, including projects related to curriculum development, lifelong learning, publications, and events. I am particularly interested in contributing to interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral initiatives that explore the societal value and impact of the arts.

My research interests include the public cultural sector, cultural policy and governance, institutional change, and the societal engagement of higher education institutions. I also work on topics related to arts-based entrepreneurship, career development, mentorship, and professional coaching, as well as research and innovation (RDI) in the cultural and creative sectors.

Methodologically, I am open to combining qualitative, quantitative, and practice-based approaches, and I am particularly interested in collaborative formats that bridge research, education, and artistic practice.

I am currently a member of the Senate of EAMT, the Cultural Management curriculum advisory board, and the Estonian Society of Career Counsellors.

Coming from Estonia—a country with a strong cultural identity and traditions in music and collective creativity—I am interested in contributing to projects that engage with heritage, artistic intelligence, and the role of culture in addressing societal challenges. I am open to different roles within consortia, including research, education, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination activities. See CV here: https://www.etis.ee/CV/Kaari_Kiitsak-Prikk/eng/#