Insegnamento a.a. 2025-2026

Part I: Public Policy in the Arts

This section provides a comprehensive examination of how government policies shape and influence various cultural sectors. Students explore the theoretical foundations of cultural policy, including market failure arguments, public goods theory, and the economic and social rationales for government intervention in the arts.

The curriculum covers policy development processes, from agenda-setting through implementation and evaluation, with specific focus on cultural legislation, regulatory frameworks, and funding mechanisms at local, national, and international levels. Students analyze case studies across diverse cultural fields including heritage preservation policies, arts market regulations, cinema aand perfoming arts support systems, cultural tourism development strategies. 

Part II: Fundraising Management

The second section focuses on the strategic and operational aspects of securing financial support for cultural organizations. Students survey the full spectrum of fundraising techniques, from individual donor cultivation to major gift solicitation, corporate partnerships, and foundation grant-seeking. Core components include donor research and prospect identification, campaign planning and management, proposal writing and presentation skills, stewardship and donor retention strategies, and the integration of digital fundraising tools. Students explore different fundraising models including membership programs, special events, crowdfunding platforms, and capital campaigns.  Practical exercises include writing grant proposals, developing donor communications, and creating comprehensive fundraising strategies tailored to different types of cultural organizations.

At the end of the course student will be able to:

• Describe a cultural issue  and the main traits of a cultural policy
• Understand what is fundraising and the challenges in soliciting gifts
• Identify the main techniques that can be used to attract funds and generate social impacts

• Demonstrate skills of system and design thinking for social change 
• Develop basic skills in fundraising and philanthropy
• Develop, write, and present a policy brief
• Work collaboratively in teams

• Lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Practical Exercises

Guest Speaker Talks

Guest speakers will include policy makers, foundation program officers, corporate sponsorship managers, successful arts fundraisers, and cultural organization leaders. Each speaker will deliver a  presentation followed by Q&A, focusing on real-world challenges and current trends in their field. Students will prepare targeted questions in advance and will be invited to follow-up reflection posts analyzing how the speaker's insights connect to course concepts and their career aspirations.

Practical Exercises

Students engage in hands-on simulations and skill-building activities that mirror professional scenarios. Fundraising exercises include designing solicitation materials for different donor segments, and conducting mock donor meetings with role-playing scenarios. These exercises emphasize practical application of theoretical concepts while building professional communication and analytical skills essential for arts management careers.

With the purpose of measuring the acquisition of the above-mentioned learning outcomes, attending students’ assessment is based on two main components:

1. Multiple choice test  (15 points of the final grade) aiming at checking the understanding of the topics discussed in Section 1 of the course.
2. Group project presentations (15 points of the final grade) aimed to test the students’ ability to apply knowledge accrued during Section 2 of the course.
3. Participation: extraordinary in class participation and fullfilment of assignments might be rewarded with max 2 extra points.

Students’ assessment will be based on a written exam to assess students’ understanding of the topics discussed in the readings. The exam format will be a multiple choice test  + some open questions (45 minutes) and you should come prepared ONLY on the readings material for non attending students.

• Throsby, D. (2010). The Economics of Cultural Policy. Cambridge University Press. (selected chapters)
• Pecoraro F., Turrini, A., Volpe, M. (2023) Fundraising for the Arts, Bocconi University Press (selected chapters)

• Throsby, D. (2010). The Economics of Cultural Policy. Cambridge University Press. (ALL)
• Pecoraro F., Turrini, A., Volpe, M. (2023) Fundraising for the Arts, Bocconi University Press (ALL)