Survey totals

204 replies from 28 countries.

Newcomer (less than 3 years) (4)
Hobbyist (24)
Accomplished amateur (57)
Semi-professional (40)
Professional fulltime worker (42)
Expert (22)
Other see below (15)

Ages

Genders

Female (29)
Male (171)
Other (1)
Prefer not to say (3)

Other

Well, half actor/magician/puppeteer other half: ordinary dayjob

All of the above

Used to be fulltime magician for 7 years, switched to half-time to pursue other career few years before covid and after covid I have been “professional amateur”, doing occasional gigs and competing for fun but making my main income from something else than magic.

60 years of non performance

A serious student. A hobbyist, collector, and a social performer. Occasional professional performances.

Was active and did a lot, but several years ago… I might have forgotten everything

I’m a full-time professional and have lectures & written on magic, but I wouldn’t consider myself an expert

Former professional, now amateur

President of magic club, book publisher, otherwise working as an accomplished amateur

Editor magazine

I’ve done magic for 45 years. I don’t perform as often anymore but I run a small magic shop and will be releasing my first DVD soon

Magician member at the castle. Started learning magic a year ago

I’m am ex-professional close up magician.

Teach course in magic to adults/children

Ex-professional, now semipro

First choice

• I lack interest in any education (7)
• I’m actually intrigued, but feel that my reputation might be damaged if I went to an education. (5)
• I’d be interested in a 5 week course (7,5 ECTS credits) (31)
• I’d be interested in a 10 week course (15 ECTS credits) (16)
• I’d be interested in a 1 term course (20 weeks/30 ECTS credits) (19)
• I’d be interested in a 1 year course (2 terms/60 ECTS credits) (31)
• I’d be interested in a Bachelor of Arts in magic (3 years/180 ECTS credits) (76)
• I’d be interested in something else (see below) (19)

Secondary choice

• If my first choice isn’t available, I’m not interested. (11)
• I’d be interested in a 5 week course (7,5 ECTS credits) (23)
• I’d be interested in a 10 week course (15 ECTS credits) (35)
• I’d be interested in a 1 term course (20 weeks/30 ECTS credits) (29)
• I’d be interested in a 1 year course (2 terms/60 ECTS credits) (64)
• I’d be interested in a Bachelor of Arts in magic (3 years/180 ECTS credits) (17)
• I’d be interested in something else (see below) (17)

I have a degree in education, computer supported learning and marketing from university and sadly my experiences with university teaching arent that good. University teaching in general is too theoretical, often way behind in what is actually current and what is needed in real world. Because of this something like bachelor or arts is simply out of question in my mind. If I am not mistaken, Finland already has bachelor of arts degree for circus. Or it could be polytechnic and just candidate degree. They had shorter courses on magic in Turku but although it was well received, the content was still too artistic and didnt have enough real world applications.

Online course

I think it would make sense to have a course that consists of face-to-face elements and interim periods. The course formats that I have experienced so far always had the problem that there was only a limited period of intensive work and then no connection. Alternatively, courses are offered in which you learn something every week. However, becoming a magician is complex, techniques are not learned in one week, theories are not implemented from one day to the next, an act does not develop from one week to the next. It would be important to have a course that provides intensive input, then something like homework, experience with what you have learned, put it into practice and then build on it in the following month, reflecting on and expanding what you have learned in your own performance.

It will be a great idea to organize time and place for magicians to take their craft further. If we want to have more magicians from the North, we need more time and fascilities to create new acts, new shows and create new troupes.

I am an employee of a large, international company, and I am member of the board of my local Magic Circle: That combined takes up pretty all my time, so I just couldn’t afford a deeper, longer engagment.

Or like 2 weeks live there and then 1 day a months on Zoom and after 1 year another 2 weks live

I want to participate and contribute in whatever way I can to establish a swedish/scandinavian university-level education in magic

I’d be interested in a respectable certificate or credential.

I would be interested to see more of a complete, all-encompassing curriculumon magic and the magic business. So much junk out there is about tricks and effects, and “marketing” with all of the other aspects of magic business operations, markets, etc. of business success greatly missing.

I’m open to other options for length of the course, would just need more information about the instructors, curriculum, etc.

I’d be interested in format which can be combined with a full time work schedule, eg. evening courses available from home/through digital programs such as Teams or Zoom.

Depending on the course objectives and criterion.

Longer time at¼ speed, combined with own studies.

I just really want to see the students perform. The students show on DOCH 2015 was one of the best shows I ever seen and I have seen a lot during the last 60 years

I would be interested in a part-time course, during a 10 week period. I can’t see myself go to school full time anymore.

A retreat of sorts picking the brains of an elite line up of magicians, performers, and creators.

Basically, I’m interested in the longest form of education

I have a full time job. So anything I could do part time would be of most interest.

Weekend (or three day) courses with one topic.

I would also be interested to see options in part-time or remote learning

I would have like 10 weeks but not full time. So I can combine it with my work

Teaching

I’m too old now for a degree to be of much use to me, but I’m not too old to want to learn as much as I can.

As an amateur I work full time in a different profession so whilst I would definitely be interested in a long term education in magic it would need to be part time.

I would like to delve into the art of magic solely in order to improve, my skills but also my perception about what is magic, illusion and how they correlate with the real world. How they can be used, to educate, to entertain and to relax people.

Realistically I would love to study for a prolonged period. I am at the stage in my journey where I want to absorb and work hard. The best way to do this is working with others creatively over a period of time.

As a parent, I would find it hard to arrange being abroad for weeks, so I would love an interactive online course option – a bit like The Open University offer in the UK. With some taught modules and the ability to submit videos for critique. Ideally for me, the course would be quite practical (or at least applicable theory).

My dream choice would be a 3 week course.

This is solely based on my own experience within the arts and my current level. Fot.me it would be an addition to what I do in real life. I would however like for it to be an option with a full Bachelor since that would make my 1 year better, there would be suitable programs for the really ambitious.

Having other duties, I would find a 50% distance and flipped learning solution together either practical sessions with well planned exercises with constructive feedback, valuable. Planning a few weekends or even extended weekends for physical meetings seems more practical for someone already being active with a professional work life, magic or other.

I would be interested in everything from 1 semester to the complete BA

a) I’d be interested in a 1 week fulltime course in magic. b) I’d be interested in a 2 weeks fulltime course in magic

I tried to choose 5, 10 or alternatively the 20 week course. I also find the longer courses extremely interesting. I’m in a period of development where I prefer to focus on a specific project. I assume the courses are planned more for a ”general learning” process? This is very good! Magic is such a wonderfully multileveled art form. But as said, for me, at this point, I prefer the shorter versions, assuming focusing on one project for a longer period (1-3 years) is not possible in this context?

I’d be most interested in a PhD program exploring the history of magic and its relevance to performing magicians. I have an idea for a thesis along these lines, but very few places seem to cater to something like this.

A masters

I’d be interested in a Ph.D. level Master’s Course with components in psychology.

I personally don’t have any interest in getting a formal Magic education, but I’m always interested in learning from the Masters that I respect and admire.

There is currently an education vacuum in the magical arts field. One can access education in small parts of the field at high cost, but there exists a need for a comprehensive program the encompasses not only technique, but other skills required of a magician such as prop building, marketing, business management, etc. the current state of magic favors those who fit the traditional image of a magician, white and male. For those of us who do not fit this image entry into the field is daunting.

As I am in no pursuit of other higher education the number of credits doesn’t concern me much. I am more thinking of how much could be gained in terms of building a solid magic knowledge base with historical and technical foundations in addition to practical skill building.

Maybe 2 years.

I think quite balance in either a short summer course Length or a super professional 3 years art and magic course, I think those are good for people who are professional want to improve in particular part (10weeks), or people who really want to go professional from a hobbyist(3years).

I think you have to give time for techniques to settle in. I went to college for musical theater and certain courses you Couldn’t take back to back. Showcases were part of your grade.

I would go for longer, full time choices because it would allow time to cover much more background and theory, experiment and find your areas of interest whilst having a broad overview and gaining knowledge of other areas and subjects to find crossovers and apply knowledge from one area to another. With a cohort of people all doing this, a lot of ideas and inspirations can emerge. These are the kinds of things which made my university studies (in animation and visual effects) more valuable than either self study or learning on the job. Shorter courses can’t do this and options for what could be covered in those are already available in various ways.

I’d be interested in a Masters or Doctorate in Magic that requires either original research and publication, or the creation of a new full evening show from scratch.

I am far beyond a course helping me, I am near the end of a professional career! I might help with some teaching.

A complete course would be great. Something structured and with follow-up. 1 year or event the bachelor of arts would be a big step for magic. Nowadays magic has not a formal education.

I wold be happy to get even longer education but my family issues could not permit longer stay in abroad.

I would Like the courses to be part time and online rather than full time courses.

In my opinion, if money and geography weren’t a concern, the more we study magic with great teachers the more we can get better and better. That’s why I’ve selected the longest classes.

Not really interested in “long term” course of study

I have registered www.universityofmagic.org and partially created a BA, MA and Ph.D proposal. Am interested in accreditation, partnership to create one serious place for accredited magic education.

Master of Arts Course

• No Answer Provided (12)
• The real-world concerns makes it impossible (46)
• Taking a break from my career worries me. (68)
• The finances makes it very challenging (49)
• I might be able to handle it financially (38)
• Living in Stockholm for the duration of a course makes it very challenging. (66)
• I might be able to live in Stockholm for the duration of a course. (47)
• Nothing will stop me from participating. (30)
• There are other concerns (if possible explain below) (25)

Other concerns

Even one year course would be possible, if there would be funding available other than student benefit.😃

and travel expenses

Age and health issues takes its toll, however this can be navigated with a little ingenuity and good-will from the staff.

I have a child, leaving her for an extented periode of time is not possible

Issues of family would be of concern. I have a wife and child. If there is and offering for distance learning

I’m a father and I might not have the money to take any of my choices.

I have a kid. Housing would be a concern, too. In a longer program there should be enough time for 2 days off a week plus 4 hours a day for family time. I wouldn’t worry about the language though. My daughter speaks English.

There are experts in various types of magic all over the world. If we want to learn a wide range of magic, we’ll have to deal with the language problem (so I’ve learned English with Medieval English and Spanish, and I’m currently studying German and French).

Putting my performing career on hold to relocate to Europe would be difficult.

Not a very promising job market that i can imagine (if you’re not already a working magician)

This sounds like a really cool idea and I would love to participate.

It would be interesting if you could develop a one year course. Start with 3-4 weeks in Sweden, one year of online work, then finish with 3-4 weeks in Sweden. That would be much more probable for me personally.

Family life – can’t leave home for longer periods.

A big issue will be the quality and duration of the course. For a 1 year course (or less), I would apply/enroll almost immediately. For a 3 year course, I would have to look at the program structure. I would in particular look for practical experience (internship opportunities, the quality of instructors etc), and the chance to learn new types of magic (eg I have never done stage illusions but I would really like to learn)

Having kids and a family, it would be hard for me to move to Stockholm for an extended period of time (but a week at a time could be doable).

Realistically speaking, I would most probably be able to participate in a 5 week course, but not much more (I’ve already used all my student loans and it would be easier to take break from work for 5 weeks). Lodging might be another issue, depending of whether it is possible to stay in a student residency or not. I love the idea though!

I have reached an age where I wonder if such an opportunity would benefit me. It would be great if the UK were still part of the EU!

Work and family would make it impossible for me.

VISA!

With two kids, wife, cat and a full time day job, 5 weeks+ is not an option at this stage in life. If I was say 25, I’d jump to it in a snap.

For me it would be important that the course is high level in terms of discourse and artistically challenging. And also allows cross-art forms to feed into magic routines (and vice versa).

Assuming that my green card status in Czechia would be sufficient to cover tuition, study could be feasible

Whilst I’m really interested in a magical education, I’m probably not your ideal student in terms of not being a national, having an alternative full time employment and family which fixes me to the UK and course fees also proving personally prohibitive. If there was a “lite” option of online tuition via subscription, I would definitely be interested and I believe monthly memberships are popular here (albeit these are stand-alone tricks rather than a structured education so think that’s a real gap in the market)

Should be online via zoom with practical sessions.

Although the education is free, and I would have a place to stay I would struggle giving up work for a prolonged period of time. Although I would do all I could to be there for as long as I could. I cannot deny that subsistence would be difficult if it was a Degree commitment, even though that would be my ultimate desire.

Living in Skåne, don’t want to go to Stockholm

I live in Stockholm.

Loss of income and current family life would make it hard.

Or probaly the best choice for combining would be if it could be on the weekend and monday or friday, so tree days per week.

Realistically, I couldn’t take the time off work for it, and the cost of traveling and living in Stockholm would be prohibitive.

I have a MS in Organization Development, and am starting a Master in Education now. I have experience in cirriculum design. I would be interested in discussing.

I suffer from chronic pain and would be unable to sit through a school day.

I’m not concerned about ”taking a break in my career”. But for my approach to magic, meeting with people to hone my magic is essential (for the magic to develop and hopefully becoming better). So my concern (at this point of my personal development) – if the education is spanning over a period of years – is to be alienated from these ”rough” real world performing conditions, especially if moving to a new country outside my primary ”area of clients”. I know magic can also be studied for a very long time in a ”closed room”, but meeting with and reaching out to people outside of the magic circle is the thrill for me personally. On the other hand, I could also be interested in sharing with others my experience concerning i.e. combining magic and theater, coordination of movements, naturalness, pausing, the creative process and honesty in expression. This is, of course, a totally different issue, but I wanted to mention it here, because it interests me.

Wide dispersion. 6.6 K for 5 weeks is manageable; 140K for 3 years as a large amount, that would have to be taken out as a loan. The latter is more daunting, unless there is a guarantee to recover the cost within 2 years.

If this was somehow considered an accredited program via US standards I would have access to financial assistance which makes this more viable.

My education is in engineering (bachelor’s) and science education (masters). My daughters went into the arts, music and painting. I always found it odd that education was so readily available in music, art, and theatre, but not in magic. I am not a likely student for a course in Sweden, but I can see that many would be.

I have an 11 year old so taking off for a long time is not something I want to do while he’s still a kid. Maybe when he’s a teenager and doesn’t really want me around as much! Other than that, I would love to immerse myself in magic for a good stretch of time.

But need to plan in advance for short course

As a single mom, it’s pretty impossible. The financial part is hard and having kids is hard. I would have to bring them with me and petition the courts to be allowed to take them out of the country. But I really think a longer course (10 weeks or longer) is what would greatly improve my skill!

Your options feel a bit like you must succeed as a freelance performer or the whole thing is wasted. The popularity of magic fluctuates and with it the opportunities to succeed. (I know you could develop skills which could be applied in other fields, but this would probably not be the best way to do so or, importantly, to demonstrate that to others if ‘being a magician’ doesn’t become or stops being an option.

The investment for the participant would not so great when doing the course one stage at a time, but would have the option to move up with each stage, to achieve higher credits/qualification.

I am far beyond a course helping me, I am near the end of a professional career! I might help with some teaching.

In real world, both are financially impossible for me as an outsider from EU/EEA. 5 weeks course would be challenging but more real.

I think it’s a great idea, but personally don’t currently have the spare funds. Unless there were some scholarships I could apply for.

As I wrote above family issues and depending on the lenght of education make me concern to spend long time in Stockholm.

As for the real life concerns, personally I wouldn’t be able to take a three year pause from my psychotherapist studies and my shows. BUT I would love to know there is a “university of magic”, that you can actually choose as your course of studies after high school. I would have moved anywhere to do that, if only there was real. That’s what I think could be very useful, at least in my opinion.

I would of course still keep it going as much as possible. But it likely would suffer somewhat to accomedate the time spent in the program.

Since I’m Swedish living in Uppsala none of the problems above are really any concern of mine. Not even taking a break from my career since I don’t have one.