Build the Music Scenes of Tomorrow
Living from and for music is not reserved for musicians, and many careers offer the chance to help keep alive this art so present in our lives.
This Master provides the keys to this highly varied sector, through a solid general grounding in contemporary music (urban music, electro, jazz…) as well as the skills essential to running projects in the music world: from fundraising to management, from artist management to communications, with a strong international outlook. Carried out in a work-study format, this two-year program, close to professional circles, also lets you begin building a network.
With this Master, you can for example consider becoming a booker (or booking agent), a record publishing officer, a festival communications manager, or a concert hall director.
Key Information About the Master
| Program | Master Music Management |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years |
| Admission | Bac+3 for entry into 1st year |
| Lateral Admission | Possible in the 2nd year depending on profile |
| Start Date | October 2027 |
| Schedule | Professional program, work-study possible |
| Certification | RNCP title no. 42330 – level 7 "Artistic and Cultural Projects Administrator" |
| Fees 2026-2027 | €9,700 in the 1st year; €10,300 for M2 lateral admission; €150 in tuition fees |
Why Pursue a Master in the Music Sector?
The music sector is evolving rapidly: growth of streaming, transformation of live events, new communication strategies, evolving business models, the growing role of data, AI, and digital platforms. To work in this environment, professionals must understand the artistic, economic, legal, marketing, and organizational issues of the industry.
The Master Music Management trains professionals able to support artists, labels, publishers, concert venues, festivals, producers, tour promoters, or cultural organizations in developing their music projects.
The program builds a complete vision of the music industry: production, distribution, publishing, communication, financing, development strategy, audience relations, project management, and coordination of the sector’s different players.
A teaching approach focused on music projects
The teaching approach at IESA arts&culture is based on professional training. Students work on real-life cases, design collective projects and test their ideas against the realities of the music sector.
The program may notably include projects related to creating an event, producing a music project, an artist’s communication, a label’s strategy, developing a programming schedule or promoting a cultural project.
This approach makes it possible to develop operational skills while gradually building your network, your professional attitude and your knowledge of the sector.
Learn from working professionals
Producers, experts, field practitioners: you benefit from concrete feedback and a useful network.
Develop a leadership profile
Coordination, strategy, team management:
you train to lead complex cultural projects.
Build your network in Paris
At the heart of the audiovisual ecosystem, you develop useful connections from your training onward.
Program objectives
The Master Music Management aims to train professionals capable of leading artistic and cultural projects in the music industry.
At the end of the program, students develop skills to:
- Music sector analysis: analyze the music ecosystem and its economic models.
- Development strategy: design a development strategy for an artist, a project or an organization.
- Production and distribution: organize the production and distribution of a music project.
- Live, booking and touring: understand the issues involved in live performance, booking, ticketing and touring.
- Music marketing: use music communication and marketing tools.
- Cultural funding: identify the funding levers suited to a cultural project.
- Music industry players: work with players in publishing, record production and the performing arts.
- Operational management: coordinate a team, a budget, a schedule and partners.
- Project promotion: present, defend and promote a music project to professionals.
What you will learn during the master
The Administrator of Artistic and Cultural Projects title aims at the acquisition of the following skills:
- Defining an Artistic and Cultural Project
- Manage the administrative and financial operations of an artistic and cultural project
- Deploy a digital strategy for the marketing and distribution of an artistic and cultural project
- Manage an artistic and cultural project
- Developing the Funding Strategy of an Artistic and Cultural Project (Specialization)
What is the curriculum of the Master Music Management?
The Master Music Management program is organized over 2 years. It allows students to gain a comprehensive view of the artistic, administrative, legal, financial, marketing and professional issues of the music sector.
The program alternates theoretical courses, hands-on workshops, certified workshops, group projects, professional support, study trips and real-world scenarios related to contemporary music, production, distribution and cultural entrepreneurship.
Year 1: understand the fundamentals of the music sector
The first year provides the foundations of music culture, project administration, production, distribution, marketing, communication and project management in music and the performing arts.
UE1 — Aesthetics of Music and the Performing Arts
- Contemporary Music
- Performing Arts
- Pop culture
UE2 — Professional Development / English
- Professional Development: Sector Study, Career Support and Professional Meetings
- Visits to Music Venues
- Title Project Methodology
- CSR and Ecological Transition
- Music today
- Intellectual Property Law, Creative Commons and GDPR
- Orientation Seminar
- Study Trip to London — week of June 2, 2025
UE3 — Music Administration
- Legal and Administrative Structuring
- Funding Strategy for a Cultural Project
- Structure, Networks and Funding of Music in France
UE4 — Production and Distribution
- Technical and Logistical Organization of a Performance or Event
- Programming Strategy
- Record Production
UE5 — Marketing and Communication
- Communication Strategy
- Communication and Data
- Operational Marketing: CRM and Digital Marketing
- Workshop: Communication Plan for a Music Project
UE6 — Hands-On Workshops
- Real-Life Group Project
- Cultural Outreach in Music
- AI and Music Workshop
- DTP Workshop
UE7 — Cultural and Creative Industries
- Transdisciplinarity in Contemporary Creation
- Cultural Sociology and Ecology
- Cultural Economics and the Institutional Cultural Landscape in France
UE8 — Methodology and Creativity
- Ideation and Project Management
- Public Speaking
- Exams and Defenses
Year 2: deepen production, distribution and music entrepreneurship
The second year deepens the issues of production, distribution, administration, funding, marketing, artistic management and entrepreneurship in contemporary music. It also supports students in their professional development and in earning certified skills.
UE1 — Music Culture
- Electronic Music
- Urban Music
- Jazz and Improvised Music
UE2 — Professional Development / English
- PGR Coaching
- CSR and Ecological Transition
- Music today
- Professional Development
UE3 — Administration and Financing of the Contemporary Music Industry
- Administration of a Production Company
- Workshop: CNM Grant Application, Course and Case Study
- Ticketing and Data
- Crowdfunding a Music Project
- Fundraising Strategy
UE4 — Music Production and Distribution
- Record Production and Streaming
- Music Publishing
- Touring and Booking
- Artistic Management
UE5 — Music Marketing and Communication
- Web 3.0 Communication
UE6 — Workshops and Study Trip
- Workshop: Discovering a DAW
- AI: Creative Music-Making Workshop
- Workshop: Editing a Video for Social Media
- Trip to New York City
UE7 — Cultural Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship in Music
UE8 — Certified Workshops
- Design and implement a cultural mediation initiative
- Deploy a Communication and Marketing Strategy
- Lead a Project Team
- Exams
- Jury
Assessment method
The level 7 certified title “Administrator of Artistic and Cultural Projects” is awarded after validation of the 5 skills blocks. Each block involves simulated or real professional scenarios, with structured deliverables assessed by a jury of professionals.
- Block 1: Defining an artistic and cultural project
Professional simulation based on a real or fictional case on defining an artistic and/or cultural project. Case study based on a real or fictional case of designing a cultural and artistic mediation proposal, including documentation on defining an artistic and cultural project. - Block 2: Conducting the administrative and financial operations of an artistic and cultural project
Practical case based on a real or fictional case on conducting the administrative and financial operations of an artistic and cultural project. Professional simulation based on a real or fictional professional situation of implementing a partnership. - Block 3: Deploying a digital sales and distribution strategy for an artistic and cultural project
Professional simulation of a real or fictional case of deploying a digital sales and distribution strategy for an artistic and/or cultural project. Practical case based on a real or fictional project to carry out in the art market and/or cultural industries sector. - Block 4: Leading an artistic and cultural project
Professional simulations based on a real or fictional case on coordinating a project’s stakeholders and on a real or fictional case of implementing a quality system after project closure. Practical case based on a real or fictional case presenting project management process optimization challenges. - Block 6 Defining and implementing the funding strategy of an artistic and cultural project
Professional simulation based on a real or fictional professional situation on defining the fundraising strategy, negotiating partnerships and sponsorships, setting up retention actions, and assessing the financial impact of the partnerships and sponsorships of an artistic and cultural project.
Skills block:
Obtaining the certification is conditional on validating all the skills blocks.
Each skills block can be capitalized throughout the duration of the certification.
Project-based learning
The Master Music Management combines the transmission of core knowledge, exploration of the contemporary music world and the practical application of skills in real production and distribution situations.
The theoretical courses give students a global view of the music sector: history of movements, aesthetic issues, how the different branches work (publishing, live, streaming, labels), music law, and the economics of cultural projects. This knowledge is enriched by thematic seminars and talks by professionals who share their experience and their reading of the market.
The program favors a resolutely hands-on approach. Throughout the curriculum, students take part in creative workshops, music project design workshops and professional scenarios inspired by real cases. Depending on their focus, they may organize a festival dedicated to the emerging scene, produce a music compilation or support an artist’s development. These projects give them a grasp of the many dimensions of the profession: artistic direction, production, communication, partnerships, logistics, and catalog promotion.
Meetings with artists, programmers, publishers or managers round out this immersion in the reality of the field and help broaden professional perspectives.
At the end of the program, each student designs a personal project, which they develop independently while receiving individualized support from an industry professional. Presented before a certification jury, this project embodies the student’s ability to structure, produce and defend an ambitious music initiative, coherently drawing on all the skills acquired during the program.
Open Day: December 5
Open days let you discover the campus, meet the teams, ask your questions about the program, admissions, work-study, student projects and career opportunities.
It is also an opportunity to better understand the teaching approach of IESA arts&culture and the organization of these programs.
Work-Study, Internships, and Professionalization
The Master Music Management program is organized on an alternating schedule to foster professional immersion. Students can build their experience through an internship or work-study, depending on their situation and the opportunities available.
This structure allows students to put the skills worked on in class directly into practice, discover how music organizations really operate, and gradually build their professional network.
Professional experience can take place in different types of organizations:
- labels;
- music publishing houses;
- concert halls;
- festivals;
- booking agencies;
- production companies;
- cultural communication agencies;
- cultural institutions or associations;
- distribution and artistic development organizations.
Career Opportunities After a Master Music Management
Artist Management and Booking Artist Agent
Artist Manager
Booker (or tour promoter)
Music Publishing and Production Collection Manager at a Music Publisher
Music Performance Producer
Concert Halls and Festivals Concert Hall Administrator
Audience Manager for a Concert Hall or Festival
Audience Manager
Music Marketing and Communication Marketing and Communication Manager in the Music Sector
Cultural Management and Administration Production / Distribution / Booking Director of a Performing Arts Venue or Company (Streaming, Live, Publishing)
Cultural Organization Administrator
Cultural Projects and Mediation Cultural Project Coordinator
Cultural Mediator
Cultural Project Manager
Certification
This master’s program prepares for the RNCP title level 7:
"Artistic and Cultural Project Administrator"
It certifies skills related to the definition, management, funding, distribution, and administration of artistic and cultural projects.
| Employment Rate | 74% at 6 months of certified students, class of 2024 (most recent France Compétences rate - RNCP title 42330). |
|---|---|
| Certification Rate | 100% of learners in the 2025 class (Master in Cultural Production: Performing Arts) earned the title, out of 27 candidates in 2025. |
| RNCP Code | RNCP42330. |
Professional certification Administrator of Artistic and Cultural Projects from ECAD Consultants – IESA arts&culture, level 7 – 134g, 320n, registered with the RNCP under number 42330 by decision of the Director General of France Compétences dated 05/29/2026 for a period of 3 years.
How to Apply to IESA?
Admission is based on an application file and an interview with the admissions committee
- 1. You find out about the school and its programs.
- 2. You apply to the school by filling out a form on the website.
- 3. We call you to schedule an admission interview
- 4. A few days after the interview, you receive your admissibility decision
How Much Does the Program Cost?
For the 2026-2027 year, the fees are as follows:
| Year | Tuition |
|---|---|
| 1st year | 9 700 € |
| 2nd year | 10 300 € |
| Tuition fees | 150 € |
Applicants can contact the admissions team to find out about:
- payment options
- funding options
- the conditions related to work-study
In work-study, program fees under a professionalization contract or an apprenticeship contract will be covered in full or in part by the employer or by a funding body (OPCO).
The Master Lasts 2 Years.
Number of in-class teaching hours and exams:
- M1: 609 h
- M2: 508 h
(Current-year schedule: the number of hours may vary slightly from year to year).
The program follows an alternating schedule, allowing for part-time and full-time professional placements (internships and/or work-study), which are mandatory to complete the program.
Initial prerequisite and work-study:
- Entry into the 1st year (M1 – 2-year program): Hold a level 6 certification (3 years of post-secondary study), or an equivalent degree (foreign degree, etc.), or have earned 180 ECTS credits in the targeted or a related field (culture, art, project management, communication, marketing, event management, etc.)
- Entry into the 2nd year (M2 – 1-year program): Hold a level 6 certification (4 years of post-secondary study), or an equivalent degree (foreign degree, etc.), or have earned 240 ECTS credits, in the targeted or a related field (culture, art, project management, communication, marketing, event management, etc.)
Admission is based on the submission of an application file and an interview with the admissions committee.
Access deadlines: Admissions are open from November 2025 to September 2026 for the October 2026 start. Applications are processed within 3 weeks maximum after receipt of the complete file.
Registration is possible until the start date, subject to availability.
By exception, registration is possible after the program start date, after review and verification of the learner’s ability to catch up on the learning already delivered, within a maximum of 1 month after the start of the program.
This program can be completed as work-study. The program follows an alternating schedule, with internships and/or work-study at professional organizations. These placement periods are part of the program’s validation.
Apprentice pass rate: 76.8% class of 2024 (Masters in Cultural Production: Performing Arts, Music, and Film & Audiovisual)
Apprentice dropout rate at CFA ECAD during the 2024-2025 year: 2% (Class of 2025)
The program takes place at IESA on the LE DELTA campus (16 rue Claude Bernard, 75005 Paris) and at partner cultural venues.
IESA premises are accessible to people with disabilities. The admission interview and the course of study can be adapted to the needs of those concerned, who are therefore invited to express them as soon as they apply to the school. Contact: handicap@iesa.fr
If you do not obtain the RNCP title, please note that if you have validated all the skills of a block, that skill block is yours permanently.
Equivalences: In the case of an equivalence, whether through VAE and/or the award of a skill block or an equivalent certification, it is up to the applicant to present this equivalence to the jury for validation.
Transfer options: No transfer options.
Further studies: The Master in Music Management is designed as a professionalizing Bac+5 program, whose primary purpose is to enable direct entry into working life, preparing students to take on positions of responsibility in the music management sectors.