The Artepreneur PGDM (Postgraduate Diploma in Management) is a one-year, full-time programe in Creative Leadership for Performing Arts being launched by the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai, in partnership with Kkala — the creative education platform founded by singer-composer Kailash Kher.

Announced in September 2025, the program positions itself as a bridge between artistic practice and professional leadership for the performing arts sector.

This initiative is not just an academic exercise but an industry-aligned programme backed by IIM Mumbai’s academic reputation and Kkala’s creative insights, making it one of the first of its kind in India.

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Who are “Arteprenuers”?

The term “Artepreneur” describes the kind of professional this program aims to nurture: artists who think like entrepreneurs and leaders.

The course targets performing artists from diverse fields — music, dance, theatre, and even applied disciplines like yoga — as well as creative entrepreneurs, arts managers, and cultural practitioners who want to scale their projects, build sustainable careers, and lead organisations in the creative economy.

An “Artepreneur” is essentially a creator who combines artistic talent with entrepreneurial skills, making them capable of innovating and building thriving ventures within the cultural space.

Curriculum highlights

The Artepreneur PGDM curriculum blends creative practice with management principles tailored for the arts sector. Key areas include:

Artistic foundations: practice-led modules in music, theatre, and dance methodologies.
Personal branding: strategies for artists to build a distinct identity and reach audiences.
Project management: festival curation, event production, and innovative revenue models.
Financial literacy: funding, sponsorship, contracts, and legal frameworks for artists.
Leadership and globalisation: skills for engaging stakeholders and scaling cultural projects internationally.

The program runs from June 2026 to May 2027, making it an intensive year-long experience focused on both practice and application.

Why this matters?

India’s creative and cultural industries are expanding rapidly but face structural challenges — from fragmented markets to limited monetization strategies.

Many artists struggle to balance their craft with business sustainability. The Artepreneur PGDM addresses this gap by equipping artists with entrepreneurial tools while preserving the creative core of their work.

With IIM Mumbai contributing academic rigour and Kkala providing performance-driven insights, the course is designed to create a new generation of leaders who can launch creative startups, run cultural festivals, manage artist brands, and even internationalize Indian performing arts.

This initiative reflects a larger trend of management schools tailoring specialized programmes to serve niche industries such as arts, culture, and education.

Admissions, timing, and practical details

Program duration: One year (June 2026–May 2027).
Target group: Practising performers, arts managers, cultural entrepreneurs, and creative professionals with demonstrable experience or interest in performing arts.
Admissions: Detailed eligibility criteria and application timelines are expected to be released soon by IIM Mumbai and Kkala.

The Artepreneur PGDM is a groundbreaking step towards professionalising arts leadership in India. By merging business education with artistic practice, it aims to empower performers and cultural practitioners to thrive in today’s competitive creative economy.

For those who aspire to transform their artistic passion into impactful leadership and sustainable ventures, this programme could be the perfect launchpad.

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