IIM Mumbai Launches ‘Artepreneur’ PGDM in Creative Leadership for Performing Arts

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai, in collaboration with Kkala—a creative education platform founded by acclaimed musician Kailash Kher—has announced the launch of a new and innovative programme, the ‘Artepreneur’ Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Leadership for the Performing Arts. The one-year course will run from June 2026 to May 2027. It will empower aspiring leaders in the performing arts, creative entrepreneurs, and practicing artists who wish to merge artistic expression with managerial expertise.

This unique programme highlights IIM Mumbai’s intent to expand its executive education portfolio into creative leadership, an area that connects culture, business, and innovation.

The Vision Behind ‘Artepreneur’

The ‘Artepreneur’ programme is envisioned as a first-of-its-kind management diploma tailored for the performing arts sector. According to IIM Mumbai, the course aims to create leaders who are not only grounded in artistic disciplines but also equipped with business acumen and entrepreneurial drive.

The institute explained that while artistic talent fuels creativity, success in today’s world also depends on skills such as strategic planning, financial literacy, personal branding, and leadership. The new PGDM seeks to bridge this gap, giving artists and creative professionals the tools to thrive both on stage and in organisational or entrepreneurial contexts.

Curriculum Highlights

The course curriculum has been designed to blend artistic foundations with managerial frameworks. Areas of focus include:

• Personal Branding – helping artists establish unique identities in competitive creative industries.
• Artistic Foundations – strengthening core skills in performing arts disciplines such as theatre, music, dance, and yoga.
• Project Execution – guiding participants in managing creative projects from conception to completion.
• Financial Literacy – providing knowledge of budgeting, resource management, and financial planning for sustainable growth.
• Marketing and Communication – teaching modern tools to promote artistic work and reach diverse audiences.
• Leadership and Team Building – preparing participants to lead both artistic ensembles and organisational teams.
• Entrepreneurship – equipping students to build sustainable creative ventures in arts and culture.

This integration of art and management ensures that graduates will be capable of handling complex challenges in both cultural and organisational ecosystems.

Collaboration with Kkala

The partnership between IIM Mumbai and Kkala is central to this initiative. Kkala, founded by Kailash Kher, has been working towards advancing creative education and leadership in the arts. The collaboration is designed to combine academic rigour from IIM with artistic innovation fostered by Kkala.

The programme intends to create a platform where creativity meets management, ensuring that participants are prepared for roles that go beyond traditional performance. Graduates will be able to shape leadership in diverse spaces, from cultural institutions to community development projects and corporate environments where creativity and empathy are valued.

Voices from the Leaders

Prof. Manoj K. Tiwari, Director of IIM Mumbai, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. He explained that the initiative reflects IIM Mumbai’s mission to prepare leaders who balance strategic vision with empathy, innovation, and creativity. According to him, the ‘Artepreneur’ PGDM represents a bold step towards expanding the scope of management education into uncharted but impactful territories like performing arts.

Musician Kailash Kher, founder of Kkala, expressed that performing arts have a role far beyond the stage. They shape leadership qualities, cultural values, and social cohesion in communities and workplaces. He emphasised that the programme will empower artists to extend their influence beyond artistic performance, making them agents of change in broader professional and social landscapes.

Admissions and Eligibility

The first cohort of the ‘Artepreneur’ PGDM will begin in June 2026 and conclude in May 2027. Admissions are expected to open soon, with details regarding eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and programme structure to be announced on the official website of IIM Mumbai.

The institute has encouraged aspiring creative leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists to stay tuned for further updates as the programme is poised to attract participants from across India and potentially abroad.

Significance of the Initiative

This initiative represents a pioneering move in Indian higher education. By integrating performing arts with business education, IIM Mumbai is creating a new academic space that acknowledges the interdisciplinary nature of leadership in the 21st century.

Key takeaways from this initiative include:

• Bridging the gap between creativity and commerce.
• Providing a formal platform for performing artists to gain management expertise.
• Encouraging entrepreneurship in the arts, thus supporting the growth of India’s creative economy.
• Creating leaders who can adapt to both cultural contexts and corporate environments.

With this launch, IIM Mumbai positions itself as a trailblazer in shaping future-ready leaders in the creative sector.

Looking Ahead

The launch of the ‘Artepreneur’ PGDM is expected to open new avenues for artists and creative entrepreneurs across India. For IIM Mumbai, it signals a new chapter in diversifying its educational portfolio. For the creative community, it provides recognition of the performing arts as a space where leadership, management, and innovation converge.

As admissions begin for the first cohort in 2026, the programme is likely to draw significant interest from artists seeking professional growth, entrepreneurs aiming to build sustainable creative ventures, and leaders who value the synergy of art and business.