LA x BSU Exchange
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ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ and Claremont Graduate University strengthen global partnership through cultural exchange
Friday, 3 July, 2026The first leg of the annual cultural exchange between ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ (BSU) and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) took place last month and has brought together students from both institutions to explore the cultural landscape of Los Angeles.
Students from BSU's Arts Management and Heritage Management programmes joined their counterparts from CGU for an immersive programme of visits to some of the city's leading cultural organisations. The exchange provided a unique opportunity for students to gain first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the cultural sector in the United States.
Throughout the week, students met with senior leaders and practitioners from across the arts, heritage and cultural industries. Discussions focused on a range of issues, including funding and financial sustainability, audience engagement, organisational storytelling, and the evolving role of cultural institutions in their communities.
For Marc Leverton, Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in UG Business and Management and PG Arts Management at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, the value of the exchange lies in taking learning beyond the classroom.
"Any teaching that gets students out of the classroom and interacting with the organisations, leaders, staff and potentially future colleagues of their chosen profession has a huge impact on students' learning and their motivation. Seeing concepts, issues and ideas that have been discussed in class actually 'in the flesh' really helps students with understanding what we have been learning and why it matters in the real world."
Marc said one of the most striking aspects of the visit was discovering how much Los Angeles and Bath have in common despite their obvious differences.
"L.A. and Bath seem so far apart on paper, different countries with different histories and different demographics. But the more closely you look, the more you see that people are often grappling with the same day-to-day struggles. Living more sustainably and the cost of living are obvious examples. With particular regard to the arts and culture of both countries, it is about thinking: what stories are we telling and who gets to tell those stories? That is a strong thread of this exchange and a lot of the discussions relate back to that."
The exchange also enables students to build international networks that extend beyond the duration of the programme. By seeing how cultural organisations approach shared challenges in different ways, students gain a broader perspective on the sector while developing the confidence and professional connections that can support their future careers.
The programme was organised by Josh Goode, Professor of History and Cultural Studies at Claremont Graduate University, whose efforts ensured a varied and engaging schedule of activities across Los Angeles.
ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ is now welcoming the Claremont Graduate University students to Bath for the second leg of the exchange. Alongside visits to the city's renowned cultural and heritage sites, the group will experience some of the UK's most iconic landmarks, including Stonehenge.
Looking ahead to the visit, Marc said:
"The US students really appreciate our history and heritage, we can be guilty of taking it for granted, so it helps you see Bath with fresh eyes. They often ask questions that really make you think about day-to-day things, which I love because it makes you rethink the places around you. This group are excited for Stonehenge and, as I've only ever seen it from the car, I'm looking forward to that too."
The annual exchange forms part of the ongoing partnership between ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ and Claremont Graduate University, fostering international collaboration, professional development and cross-cultural learning for students preparing for careers in arts and heritage management.