Sustainability Manager and Strategist for Cultural Institutions

Institution School launches “Sustainability Manager and Strategist for Cultural Institutions”—a programme that trains professionals to lead the sustainable transformation of cultural institutions.

Museums, theatres, festivals, foundations, cultural heritage sites and arts organisations are now facing an unprecedented transformation. Issues such as reducing emissions, public inclusion and accessibility, equal opportunities, transparency in governance and measuring social impact are becoming increasingly important factors in securing funding, attracting sponsors and strengthening the credibility of cultural institutions.

To address the new challenges that are transforming the cultural sector, Institution School presents “Sustainability Manager and Strategist for Cultural Institutions”, an international advanced training programme designed for those wishing to acquire the skills needed to lead the sustainable transition of museums, theatres, festivals, foundations and cultural organisations.

The programme brings together some of the most authoritative voices on the international scene, including Martin Neureiter, founder of CSR Company International and responsible for the implementation and communication part of the ISO 26000 Standard on Social Responsibility as Task Group Chair of ISO (International Organization of Standards); Jean Savitsky (Director of Sustainability MoMA), Marta Lovato (Head of Sustainability Santarcangelo Festival), Allegra Rusconi (Sustainability Advisor, Terraforma); Kim Kraczon (founder of Climate Gallery Coalition), Laura Pando (Julie’s Bicycle), Angela Costantino (TBA21, Thyssen-Bornemisza Foundation, Madrid-Vienna) and Fabio Cavallucci, former director of the CCA Zamek Ujazdowski in Warsaw and the Centro Pecci in Prato, and founder of Institution SRL.

The programme stems from the realisation that sustainability is no longer a peripheral or specialist issue, but a strategic competence set to shape the very future of cultural institutions. The aim is to train professionals capable of integrating environmental sustainability, social impact and governance into the day-to-day activities of museums, theatres, festivals, foundations and cultural organisations of all sizes.

Through an approach that combines operational tools, strategic analysis and practical application, participants acquire the skills needed to design and implement sustainability policies, measure the impact of cultural activities, develop ESG strategies, build relationships with stakeholders and access new funding opportunities.

A central element of the programme is the creation of a Sustainability Portfolio, a professional document developed progressively throughout the course and directly applicable to one’s own organisation or an assigned case study. The portfolio includes tools such as stakeholder analysis, sustainability strategies, ESG frameworks, impact measurement systems, communication plans and fundraising strategies.

At the heart of the programme is a one-week intensive residency in Santa Sofia, within the Casentinesi Forests National Park. Here, participants engage with a real and complex cultural ecosystem, transformed for the occasion into a veritable sustainability laboratory. Through direct observation, field analysis and examination of real-world case studies, they will explore the interconnections between environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability, gaining an understanding of how these dimensions translate into operational strategies applicable to cultural institutions.

The residency takes place alongside the International Forum on the Sustainability of Cultural Institutions, offering the opportunity to engage with international professionals, researchers and decision-makers committed to redefining the role of culture in addressing contemporary challenges.

Admission to the residential programme is preceded by three weeks of online training focused on developing a Sustainability Portfolio and acquiring the fundamental tools for analysis, strategy and reporting.

Completion of the entire programme leads to the award of the Professional Certificate in Sustainability Management and Strategy for Cultural Institutions, whilst participation in the online phase alone leads to the award of the First Level Certificate in Sustainability Management for Cultural Institutions.

Attendance fees
Full course (Online + Santa Sofia Residency), Professional Certificate—1,850 EUR (VAT included) / (early bird rate until July 15, 2026: 1,450 EUR). Purchase the full programme here.

Online programme (three weeks), First Level Certificate—850 EUR (VAT included) / (early bird rate until July 15, 2026: 650 EUR). Purchase the online programme here.

The programme is aimed at museum directors, cultural practitioners, curators, festival organisers, public sector professionals, fundraisers, consultants, architects, cultural planners, researchers and young professionals interested in acquiring the strategic skills increasingly sought after by the international cultural market.

Individual participation grants
Institution offers 20 Individual Participation Grants, each worth 200 EUR, to support participation in the programme. The grant may be applied to either the Online Course or the Full Course. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and grants are awarded until all available places have been allocated. Applicants are invited to submit a short motivation statement.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of: The applicant's motivation and commitment to the programme; The potential impact that the knowledge and skills acquired are expected to have on the Applicant’s professional practice and, more broadly, in the cultural sector.

In a context where sustainability is becoming one of the main criteria for evaluating cultural organisations, the programme represents a unique opportunity to develop practical tools and contribute to building more resilient, responsible and future-oriented institutions.

For more information, visit the Institution website.