Learn to be a responsible and collaborative leader and make the changes needed to safeguard our cultural and artistic heritage.
Created in partnership with the International Program in Arts Management (IPAM) at SDA Bocconi School of Management, this Master of Science in International Management (MSIM) - Arts Management is designed to provide both a practical and theoretical preparation for change-makers, future leaders and the next generation of art professionals. Through a rigorous curriculum and multicultural experience, the program strives towards preparing leaders for today’s international arts and heritage environment.
The program is designed as an applied-learning pathway, including live classroom seminars, online course work and a hands-on, dynamic, experiential learning opportunity. In conjunction with the elite International Program in Arts Management (IPAM) at SDA Bocconi, the program offers a series of masterclasses, a travel agenda through three countries with some of the world’s richest cultural heritage, open conversations, company visits, hackathons and other valuable experiences to provide cutting-edge practice. Students will gain the knowledge necessary for collaborating with multiple stakeholders to ensure responsible arts management. Main touchpoints are Law for Arts Management, Arts Collecting, Marketing for the Arts, Ethical Arts Management, Digitalization of Arts Communication and Management, while developing an entrepreneurial mindset and leveraging opportunities for networking and career development. Experience turning systemic challenges into functional solutions, through practical projects and strategies, applicable to any arts corporation and institution, business and cultural centers.
Students will actively be engaged in the individual design and execution of the program, through Franklin’s tailor-made and customizable study path, developing professional skills and international relationships along the way to support future impact and drive the transition toward a greener professional ecosystem and society.
Additionally, students will earn a Certificate of Arts Management from International Program in Arts Management (IPAM) in conjunction with the Franklin MSIM degree.
Structure
The MSIM - Arts Management leverages the best practices of in-class, online and on-site learning. Courses taught on the Franklin campus address contemporary managerial topics, are taught seminar-style in small groups, involve diverse international students from a variety of backgrounds and are delivered by experts with years of managerial experience. The online courses cover the latest, most relevant and most-applicable topics students can study and are designed and taught by industry leaders who work at organizations such as Google, the United Nations, Amazon and many others. The practical experiences give students the opportunity to work and network in an international organization. Working on actual projects, students get the knowledge, experience and credentials to launch into the next phase of their careers.
The Master is made of 3 main blocks:
-
Courses and Individual Learning Journey (Fall – August to December, Lugano)
During this term students will learn leadership and management in a participative and collaborative setting. The pace of this term is intense, and the experience provides the foundation for transformation. At the end of the term students will begin to be empowered as change agents. Faculty and instructors, many who are pioneers in their spheres of competence, share their expertise with students.
-
Concentrations and Practical Experience (Spring and Summer – January to July, Lugano and Off-site)
In the Spring and Summer term, students will deepen their expertise in collaboration with the with SDA Bocconi School of Management and a six-week practical experience. This term will allow students to develop the skills necessary to be competitive in their fields, with a deep dive in Heritage Management, Performing Arts, Consulting Management and an Italy Grand Tour Academic Travel.
-
Thesis (Summer – July, Lugano)
Students will be challenged in writing and presenting a capstone thesis under the supervision of Franklin faculty.
Fall (Aug–Dec) Engage in a total immersion on responsible art leadership and management |
Spring/Summer (Jan–Jul) Engage in course concentrations and six weeks of practical and fulfilling experience |
Summer (Jul) Apply your learning in a capstone thesis project |
Core seminars, in class and online learning, conferences and executive workshops | Hybrid learning platform, including experiential travel throughout Italy, conferences, company visits, career workshops and seminars |
Arts management project internship in a Cultural Heritage Centre, art gallery or similar |
Professional and Personal Coaching |
Course structure for MSIM - Arts Management
Tuition and Scholarships
Tuition for the MSIM - Arts Management is paid in Swiss Francs.
2022 - 2023 Tuition | CHF 25,000 |
See additional estimates for direct and indirect expenses for Master's students
A merit scholarship is available for qualifying students admitted to the MSIM - Arts Management program. See Responsible Leadership Scholarship for details.
These skilled learning facilitators are experts and innovators that offer you multiple lenses through which to view and solve problems. Each individual on this list will be an important influence as you construct your path toward new ideas and career opportunities.
Faculty
Curriculum
This participative and collaborative curriculum is designed to provide students with an intensive path of study that gives you a strong background in leadership, creates situations that build experience in collaboration and project management, and launches the next phase of your career through internships working on real ongoing projects. Each of the courses and workshops in the program is a facet of a complete perspective that will help you to be an effective agent of innovation.
LIFESTYLE
Franklin University Switzerland was founded on the idea that where you learn is as important as what you learn. It makes a difference to study paths to global solutions in a variety of cultural crossroads such as Franklin campus, where students come from nearly 50 different countries; Switzerland, where multiple languages and cultures find common ground; or the United Nations, where countries work together to resolve issues that go beyond national borders. Take advantage of these learning environments that are not only a learning opportunity in themselves, but that are also perfectly positioned for expanding your perspectives through European travel.
Living Accommodations
Graduate students at Franklin are provided quiet, off-campus, apartment-style housing on their own floor at the Alba Residence. With panoramic views of Monte Bre and the historic center of Lugano, this building is a 10-minute walk from campus, and directly across the street from the Lugano Central Train Station. It is close to the main shopping district, and many cultural attractions.
Life in Lugano, Switzerland
Lugano provides an interesting, safe, and diverse setting for graduate students to learn and thrive. Italian in culture, but influenced by Swiss efficiency and quality, Lugano is an important Swiss city for finance, tourism and consumer goods. Switzerland is rated one of the highest in terms of quality of life thanks to its stable political scene, sustainable social system, and strong economy. It is often rated as one of the most innovative nations in the world. With one of the highest GDP per capita, Switzerland also has one of the lowest crime levels anywhere. Moreover the quality of food, as well as goods and services are very high quality, and Switzerland offers a wide range of opportunities for free time, leisure, culture and sport.
Partnership

The MA in Responsible Arts Management was created in partnership with International Program in Arts Management (IPAM). You will have the opportunity to participate in Bocconi's six-week IPAM program and work with arts management practitioners in India, China and Italy.