Shaping the Future Leaders of Arts Management: The MAMA Study Tour in Puglia.

The students of the Master in Arts Management and Administration (MAMA) at SDA Bocconi School of Management embarked on an enriching journey through Trani, Lecce, and Otranto, exploring some of Italy’s finest cultural treasures. Designed for graduates and professionals in the arts and cultural sector, MAMA is an international program that aims to develop managerial and leadership skills for future leaders and entrepreneurs in the arts. Renowned for its practical approach to learning, the program offers participants a unique blend of hands-on projects, seminars, and field visits, made possible through partnerships with esteemed institutions.

The Study Tour represents a cornerstone of the program, allowing students to gain firsthand insights into the challenges and opportunities of managing cultural sites, including navigating environmental, structural, and financial constraints. The stops in Puglia provided the chance to explore innovative approaches to enhancing and ensuring the sustainability of cultural heritage, spanning from strategic planning to operational management.

Following their visit to Trani, where they toured the Cathedral and met with Mayor Amedeo Bottaro, Niki Battaglia, Director of Palazzo delle Arti Beltrani, and Cherubina Palmieri, from I Dialoghi di Trani, the students moved on to Lecce to explore the stunning setting of the Palazzo dell’Antico Seminario. Here, they were welcomed by Archbishop Mons. Michele Seccia, Archbishop Coadjutor Mons. Angelo Raffaele Panzetta, and the board of ArtWork, including President Paolo Babbo, Vice President Dario Babbo, Director Matteo Perrone, and Don Vito Caputo, Episcopal Vicar for General Affairs. This meeting offered insights into the LeccEcclesiae project, a model for the enhancement of Lecce’s baroque ecclesiastical heritage, starting with the city’s iconic churches.

Subsequently, at the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate, under the management of FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano, the students met with Loretta Martella, Abbey Property Manager, and examined how strategic management can harmonize the protection and promotion of historical heritage.

The final stop in Otranto provided a deep dive into the city’s history and art: from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, renowned for its extraordinary medieval mosaic floor, to the Aragonese Castle, a testament to Otranto’s role as a strategic crossroads between East and West. Accompanied by Mayor Francesco Bruni, the students explored the challenges of managing a city with fewer than 6,000 residents but significant summer tourism flows.

They also delved into a pioneering cultural enhancement and digitization project led by Don Vincenzo Vergine, Director of the Diocesan Museum of Otranto. The project places the cathedral’s famous mosaic at the heart of a broader digital strategy aimed at promoting the city’s rich ecclesiastical heritage.

This Study Tour allowed MAMA participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts, sharpening their strategic vision and analytical skills—essential for navigating the complexities of cultural management. As MAMA Director Andrea Rurale notes: "We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration shown by municipal administrations, dioceses, and private institutions. Only through a collective effort in research, conservation, and promotion can we create value for all stakeholders—citizens, administrators, cultural operators, and visitors alike.

SDA Bocconi School of Management

Photogallery