Program overview

IESA arts&culture, an international school recognized for its expertise in training for careers in the art market, cultural communication and mediation, and the creative industries, offers an immersive Art & Luxury summer session in Paris. This program explores the links between contemporary art, exceptional craftsmanship, and luxury through exclusive visits, hands-on workshops, and meetings with industry professionals.

Participants will discover how brands integrate art into their creative strategy, in dialogue with artists, exhibition curators, and artisans. A unique opportunity to understand the contemporary challenges of these industries, while building a privileged network with their key players.

This program is fully in line with IESA’s DNA: combining academic expertise, professional immersion, and international outlook, to train informed players in the art and luxury professions. A unique opportunity to understand the contemporary challenges of these industries, while building a privileged network with their key players.

IESA arts&culture relies on:

Artistic expertise: For 40 years, IESA has been training professionals capable of decoding the issues of art, heritage and the creative industries. Florence, an open-air museum city, offers an ideal field of study to explore the links between historical art and contemporary luxury.

Openness to craftsmanship: The school emphasizes the manual trades and collaborations between craftspeople and brands. This study trip allows participants to meet craftspeople of excellence (leather goods makers, jewelers, perfumers) and to understand how their know-how nourishes the innovation of luxury houses.

Innovation and network: IESA cultivates an international network of experts, artists and luxury professionals. Participants will benefit from privileged exchanges with key players in the sector, in line with the school’s values: curiosity, creativity and professionalism.

iesa summer session

Summer Session in Paris
July 8 to 22, 2026
Full-time: €3,400

Admissions are open from August 2025 to June 2026 for the July 2026 intake.

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Day 1: Introduction: Art, Luxury and Curation

  • Guided tour of the Louvre (emblematic works and their dialogue with contemporary luxury).
  • Lecture: "How Art Inspires Luxury: From the Renaissance to Contemporary Art."
  • Workshop: "Decoding a Work of Art and Its Link to Luxury."

Art history: Analysis of artistic movements (Renaissance, Art Nouveau) and their influence on design and craftsmanship.
Curation: How to select works for a themed exhibition.
Know-how: Meeting with an art historian.

Day 2: Curation and Scenography

  • Visit to the Fondation Louis Vuitton (architecture, temporary exhibitions and scenography).
  • Meeting with an exhibition curator: "Creating a Visual Narrative for an Exhibition."
  • Workshop: "Designing an Exhibition Route."

Art history: Study of landmark exhibitions (e.g., Alexander McQueen’s "Savage Beauty").
Curation: Scenography and cultural mediation techniques.
Know-how: Discovering museography careers.

Day 3: Contemporary Art and Collaborations

  • Visit to a contemporary gallery (e.g., Perrotin, Thaddaeus Ropac).
  • Roundtable: "Artists and Luxury Houses: What Creative Collaborations?" (with an artist and a gallery owner).
  • Project: "Imagining a Collaboration Between an Artist and a Luxury House."

Art history: Focus on contemporary art (e.g., Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton).
Curation: How to put together a collaborative exhibition.
Know-how: Meeting with an artist to understand their vision and creative process.

Day 4: Artisanal Excellence

  • Visit to Haute Couture workshops (e.g., Chanel, Dior) or a luxury leather goods workshop.
  • Workshop: "Discovering Artisanal Crafts" (meeting with an exceptional artisan).
  • Lecture: "Craftsmanship as Living Heritage."

Art history: Link between historical craftsmanship (e.g., Gobelins tapestries) and modern luxury.
Curation: Showcasing craftsmanship in an exhibition.
Know-how: Hands-on demonstration of craft techniques (embroidery, leather goods, jewelry).

Day 5: Workshop: Collaborative Project

  • Intensive workshop: "Designing a Collaboration Between a Luxury House and a Contemporary Artist" (group work).
  • Presentation of ideas to a jury (artist, exhibition curator, artisan).
  • Feedback and improvements.

Art history: Case study of successful collaborations.
Curation: Methodology for designing a collaborative project.
Know-how: Project presentations and personalized feedback.

Day 6: Digital Art and New Forms of Expression

  • Visit to a digital art studio or a gallery specializing in NFTs.
  • Workshop: "Exploring Digital Art and Its Impact on Luxury."
  • Lecture: "Art in the Digital Age: Between Tradition and Innovation."

Art history: Study of new art forms (NFTs, augmented reality).
Curation: Adapting curation to digital spaces.
Know-how: Meeting with a digital artist to discover their tools and approach.

Day 7: Marketing and Communication in Art and Luxury

  • Lecture: "Communication Strategies of Luxury Brands and Art Institutions."
  • Workshop: "Creating a Communication Campaign for an Exhibition."
  • Case study: "How Museums and Galleries Use Social Media."

Art history: Link between communication and the promotion of works.
Curation: How to promote an exhibition.
Know-how: Meeting with a communications manager from a luxury house or a museum.

Day 8: Heritage and Conservation

  • Visit to the Fondation Louis Vuitton (architecture, temporary exhibitions and scenography).
  • Meeting with an exhibition curator: "Creating a Visual Narrative for an Exhibition."
  • Workshop: "Designing a Heritage Showcase."

Art history: Study of corporate museums (e.g., Musée Hermès, Fondation Cartier).
Curation: Heritage promotion strategies.
Know-how: Discovering conservation and museology careers.

Day 9: Curation Project - Finalization

  • Workshop: "Finalizing the Curation Project" (virtual or physical exhibition, group work).
  • Free time to visit an exhibition of your choice (e.g., Palais de Tokyo, Centre Pompidou).
  • Preparing the presentations.

Art history: Review of artistic influences on luxury and curation.
Curation: Presentation of exhibition projects to a jury of professionals.
Know-how: Discussions and feedback from speakers.

Day 10: Project Presentations and Closing

  • Presentation of projects to a jury (exhibition curator, artisan, communications manager).
  • Certificate presentation.
  • Closing ceremony with networking cocktail.

Art history: Summary of what was learned.
Curation: Review of projects and career prospects.
Know-how: Networking with speakers and participants.

Key points of the program:

  • Immersive and professional approach: meetings with craftspeople, artists, exhibition curators, and conservators for a hands-on experience in one of the great art capitals: Paris.
  • Focus on curation and know-how: hands-on workshops to understand scenography, museography, and the showcasing of artworks.
  • Discovering the links between art and luxury: visits to workshops, museums, and galleries to explore collaborations between artists and luxury houses.
  • Final project: participants put together an exhibition (virtual or physical) and present their work to a panel of professionals.