Are you passionate about musicals, performing arts, and/or music? Do you want to help bring projects to life, support artists, and connect with audiences?
The Artistic Project Production Manager program prepares you for a central role in the cultural industries: managing and coordinating an artistic project, from its conception to its distribution.
Three tracks are offered to tailor the program to your career plan: Performing Arts, Contemporary Music, and Musical Theater.
Key Information
| Program | Production Manager |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 months |
| Start Date | March |
| Tracks | Three possible tracks: Performing Arts, Contemporary Music, and Musical Theater |
| Certification | RNCP title No. 42865 - level 5 “Artistic Project Production Manager” |
| Fees 2026-2027 | €8,000; €150 in tuition fees |
Why Choose the IESA Production Manager Program?
Train in 4 Months for a Hands-On Career
The program goes straight to the heart of the profession: producing, organizing, budgeting, distributing, and promoting an artistic project.
It allows you to quickly consolidate professional skills useful for entering the cultural sector.
Working on Real Cases
The teaching approach is based on simulations, practical cases, individual or group projects, and exchanges with professionals.
Participants learn to connect the artistic, economic, legal, logistical, and human aspects of a project.
Choosing a Track Suited to Your Project
Two tracks are offered:
- Performing Arts, to work on theater, dance, circus, street arts, puppetry, or festival projects.
- Contemporary Music, to support the production, distribution, and promotion of artists, concerts, tours, or music projects.
- Musical Theater – Company Manager, coordination of complex productions and operational management of artistic and technical teams
Developing a Personal Project
When the project is compatible with the program’s objectives, each participant can work on their own production project.
This project can involve supporting an artist, producing a show, structuring a music project, or distributing a creation.
Being Supported by Professionals
Courses are taught by instructors from the cultural sector, performing arts, music, production, and distribution.
The program also includes project coaching, professional meetings, lectures, and professional development workshops.
What Are the Goals of This Program?
The educational objectives of this program are to enable learners, at the end of the program, to:
- Structure an artistic project and analyze its needs
- Develop and monitor a production budget
- Carry out the contractual and regulatory operations related to the production and exploitation of an artistic project
- Organize the production, logistics, and team coordination of an artistic project
- Communicating about an artistic project
What Skills Are Developed?
- RNCP42865BC01 - Contribute to managing the production budget of an artistic project
Professional simulation on scoping a real or fictional artistic project. Practical case on budget monitoring and analysis of the operating conditions of an artistic project. - RNCP42865BC02 - Implement the contractual and regulatory procedures of an artistic project
Professional simulation focused on preparing and implementing the contractual and regulatory documents related to the production and operation of a real or fictional artistic project. Professional simulation focused on applying the social and regulatory obligations of a real or fictional artistic project. - RNCP42865BC03 - Ensure the logistical and technical organization of the artistic project
Professional simulation focused on the logistical and technical organization of a real or fictional artistic project. Practical case focused on conflict prevention measures, psychosocial risks and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence and harassment. - RNCP42865BC04 - Promote an artistic project
Professional simulation focused on promoting a real or fictional artistic project and presenting it to partners.
The Program
Performing Arts Specialization
UE1- Organization & Operations
- Distribution strategy & channels
- Public cultural policies and cultural mediation
- Organizing a festival
- Setting up a co-production & international distribution
UE2- Financial & Budget Management
- Introduction to Excel
- Artistic production budget
- Projected budget & operations in the performing arts
- Accounting & Payroll
- Funding an artistic production
- Grant applications
- Cultural patronage
- Management and taxation of cultural enterprises
UE3- Management & Legal Framework
- Contract law
- Performance contracts and licenses
- Copyright & neighboring rights
- Insurance
- General stage management
UE4- Audience Development
- Impact and market study
- Cultural communication
- Communication: Web & Social Media Materials Workshop
- DTP
- Press relations
UE5- Knowledge of Careers & the Sector
- Ecosystem & organizational chart of the performing arts sector
- Artistic direction
- Contemporary aesthetics of the performing arts
- Scenography
- Private Theater
- Circus and street arts production
UE6- Professional Development
- Project methodology & coaching
- Job search techniques
- Entrepreneurship
- Group dynamics workshop
Contemporary Music Specialization
UE1- Organization & Operations
- Distribution strategy & channels
- Culture and Europe
- Organizing a festival
- Setting up a co-production & international distribution
UE2- Financial & Budget Management
- Introduction to Excel
- Artistic production budget
- Projected budget & operations (recorded music and live)
- Accounting & payroll
- Funding an artistic production
- Funding a music production project
- Management and taxation of cultural enterprises
UE3- Management & Legal Framework
- Contract law
- Performance contracts and licenses
- Copyright & neighboring rights
- Insurance
- Stage management, logistics, and security
UE4- Audience Development
- Impact and market study
- Cultural communication
- Communication: Web & Social Media Materials Workshop
- DTP
- Press relations
UE5- Knowledge of Careers & the Sector
- Ecosystem & organizational chart of the music industry
- Artistic direction
- History & Analysis of Contemporary Music
- Artist Management
- Music Publishing
- Impact & challenges of digital technology
- Streaming
UE6- Professional Development
- Project methodology & coaching
- Job search techniques
- Entrepreneurship
- Group dynamics workshop
Musical Theater Track – Company Management
UE1- Contributing to the Budget Management of an Artistic Project
- Introduction to Excel
- Overview of the CPCM sector
- Business model
- Show production budget
- Accounting & Payroll
- Projected budget & operations
- Public funding
- Management and taxation of cultural enterprises
- Budget monitoring & financial reporting
UE2- Implementing Contractual & Regulatory Procedures
- Contract law
- Combating sexual and gender-based violence and harassment
- Performance contracts & artistic production
- Copyright & neighboring rights
- Culture and Europe
- Administrative management of artists
- Handling specific situations in performing arts labor law
- Distribution & touring + international regulations
- Insurance
- Public assembly building (ERP) safety
UE3- Ensuring Logistical & Technical Organization
- Project methodology & coaching
- Production logistics organization
- Eco-production & environmental impact
- Management & risk management workshop
UE4- Promoting an Artistic Project
- Marketing & Audience Development
- Digital production and publishing tools
- Operational communication (digital, 360°, PR)
- Marketing & ticketing
UE5- Knowledge of Careers & the Sector
- AD & Contemporary aesthetics of the performing arts
UE6- Professional Development
- Group dynamics workshop
- Job search techniques
- Entrepreneurship
- Professional development & meetings with professionals
- Professional immersion
How Are Students Assessed?
The skills targeted by the certification are validated through:
- RNCP42865BC01 - Contribute to managing the production budget of an artistic project
Professional simulation focused on scoping a real or fictional artistic project. Practical case focused on budget monitoring and analysis of the operating conditions of an artistic project. - RNCP42865BC02 - Implement the contractual and regulatory procedures of an artistic project
Professional simulation focused on preparing and implementing the contractual and regulatory documents related to the production and operation of a real or fictional artistic project. Professional simulation focused on applying the social and regulatory obligations of a real or fictional artistic project. - RNCP42865BC03 - Ensure the logistical and technical organization of the artistic project
Professional simulation focused on the logistical and technical organization of a real or fictional artistic project. Practical case focused on conflict prevention measures, psychosocial risks and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence and harassment. - RNCP42865BC04 - Promote an artistic project
Professional simulation focused on promoting a real or fictional artistic project and presenting it to partners.
Assessment related to the professional certification of the RNCP title 42865:
The certified level 5 title "Artistic Project Production Manager" is awarded after validation of all 4 skill blocks. Each block involves simulated or real professional scenarios, with the submission of structured deliverables, assessed by a jury of professionals.
Teaching Methods
- In-class courses led by professors or professional practitioners who are experts in their field
- Professional simulations, in group or individual work, on real cases provided by a partner company or on representative cases.
- Group and individual coaching to help you develop a methodology and successfully carry out your project and professional resources
- Meetings with professionals through thematic seminars (radio production, a study day on the RAP music industry), lectures, talks by alumni…
- Project-based learning with development of an artistic project.
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.
What Careers After the Production Manager Program?
The program prepares students for roles related to the production, distribution, administration, and coordination of artistic projects.
Target Careers
Production Manager
Company Manager
Production/Distribution Officer
Distribution Officer
Production Administration Officer
Music Production Manager
Cultural Communications Officer
Development Officer Industries Performing Arts Companies
Festivals
Performance Venues
Labels
Music Organizations
Production Offices
Cultural Agencies
Associations
Distribution Organizations
Public or Private Cultural Organizations
Our Alumni Share Their Stories
Hélène McNutt
"The school allowed me to meet professionals from the cultural field and to acquire solid knowledge in my area."
Certification
The program prepares for the RNCP title level 5:
"Artistic Project Production Manager"
| Employment rate | 81% of certified students at 6 months, including 53% in targeted professions (class of 2024). Most recent France Compétences rate – RNCP title 42865. |
|---|---|
| Certification rate | 85.7% (class of 2025) – Contemporary Music: 70%; Performing Arts: 100% |
| RNCP Code | RNCP 42865. |
Professional certification Artistic Project Production Manager from ECAD Consultants - IESA arts&culture, level 5, NSF codes 323 and 323s, registered with the RNCP under number 42865 by decision of the Director General of France Compétences dated 09/30/2026 for a period of 5 years. Learners enrolled under the previous title (RNCP39624) may be certified until 10/01/2030.
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 |
|---|---|
| Program | 8 000 € |
| Tuition fees | 150 € |
Applicants can contact the admissions team to find out about:
- payment options
- funding options
The program lasts 4 months and can be supplemented by a 2- to 6-month internship
567 hours
Current-year schedule: the number of hours may vary slightly from year to year.
The admission process is based on an application file and a personalized interview focused on your career plan.
Prerequisites:
- Entry with a level 4
Hold a level 4 certification, a high school diploma, a DAEU, or an equivalent degree (foreign degree).
- Entry with a level 3
Hold a level 3 title or degree and demonstrate at least 24 months of professional experience in the targeted sector.
Access deadlines: Admissions are open from April 2026 to February 2027 for the March 2027 start. Applications are processed within 3 weeks maximum after receipt of the complete file. Registration is possible until the start date, subject to availability.
Contact: formationspro@iesa.fr
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.
Pathways: not applicable
Further studies: This program is designed for professional entry.