COURSE CURRICULUM

The Art and Design Management MA at Budapest Metropolitan University is structured across two years to gradually build both conceptual understanding and practical leadership skills for the creative industries. During the first year, students focus primarily on theoretical foundations while gaining a comprehensive overview of the contemporary art and design scene and its institutional systems. This phase introduces learners to a wide range of real-world cultural projects, including exhibitions, festivals, and design studios, offering valuable insight into how creative initiatives are developed and managed. Alongside this, students strengthen essential academic and professional competencies through the development of writing and presentation skills, preparing them to communicate ideas clearly and confidently. The curriculum also includes institution-specific training, such as exhibition organization, film festival coordination, and theatre management, allowing students to understand the operational realities of different cultural environments. By engaging directly with diverse creative contexts, students begin to connect theory with practice and develop a holistic perspective on arts management. In the second year, the emphasis shifts toward economic knowledge and management skills, equipping students with the tools needed to sustainably run cultural organizations and creative projects. This stage deepens understanding of budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational leadership, enabling students to balance artistic vision with financial and operational responsibility. Together, the two years prepare graduates to manage both for-profit and non-profit cultural initiatives, navigate complex creative ecosystems, and contribute meaningfully to the global art and design sector as adaptable, informed, and professionally confident arts managers.