The Myth of Management as Art and the Management of Art as Myth

Abstract

Myths flourish in management and organizations, and are part of sense-making and identity formation. Since the development of classic managerial theories in the mid twentieth century, management has been likened both to warfare and to art, and the role of the manager has been much mythologized. These issues will be discussed in this chapter, with a perspective on metaphors as the core of both myth and sense-making. First the tendency to mythologize and heroicize in management will be addressed, thereafter a specific myth in management, that of management as art. From management as art the discussion will move to the management of art and images of management of the arts. Understanding of the management of art as something beyond the management as art calls for a new metaphor. The two central dimensions identified in arts management are creativity and structure. These two forces find their mythical embodiment in Eros and Apollo, two figures from Greek mythology. As a mythical metaphor of arts management, Eros and Apollo are pictured embraced in a pas-de-deux, performing arts management, and serve also as enrichment of the mythology of management.