IE School of Humanities advances professional learning in creative industries through the Arts & Culture Lab

A group of people discussing in a modern recording studio.

34 students participated in six real-world projects with cultural organizations to highlight the transformative power of art and culture in society.

As part of the IEU Labs initiative – an IE University’s program that offers a real alternative to traditional internships through consultancy-style experiences across different sectors - the Arts & Culture Lab has completed its first edition. A total of 34 first and second-year students from various bachelor’s programs, including the Bachelor in Business AdministrationBachelor in International RelationsBachelor in DesignBachelor in Communication and Digital Media, and the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics, took part in the Lab, collaborating with six leading cultural organizations in Spain.

The students, who come from countries such as Poland, Peru, the Philippines, the United States, Egypt, Brazil, Spain, and France, developed strategic projects aimed at making a real impact in the cultural sector. Under the guidance of Professor Daniel Valtueña, the Lab provided a hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experience aligned with IE University’s values of innovation and social commitment.

“The Arts & Culture Lab challenges the perception that professional opportunities in the arts and culture sectors are limited. By highlighting how arts and culture permeate all aspects of society, the Lab offers students hands-on experience through collaborations with leading organizations to empower them to launch meaningful, creative careers in the field”, said Daniel Valtueña, Director of the Arts & Culture Lab and professor at IE School of Humanities.

The six cultural organizations and companies the students collaborated with on real professional projects were the following:

  • With Fundación ARCO, students worked on conceptualizing an exhibition at IE Tower featuring prominent works from its collection, scheduled to open to the public in fall 2025.
  • They redesigned the communication strategy and user experience for ‘Hecho a Mano’, the craft fair organized by Fundación Casa de México en España.
  • For Sony 5020 Studio, they conducted a comparative analysis of apps for tracking work hours for sound engineers, in one of Spain’s most important music studios.
  • They developed custom programs for design and architecture schools with Bienal Mayrit to boost attendance at the festival.
  • They designed a membership program for Cultura en Vena, aimed at diversifying the funding sources of this organization, which merges art and health.
  • Lastly, they planned the future cultural programming for Infinito Delicias, a new venue opening in Madrid in September this year.

IE School of Humanities advances professional learning in creative industries through the Arts & Culture Lab

For students like Andie Marcelo, a Bachelor in Humanities student, this immersive experience provided first-hand insights into how projects are managed in different cultural organizations: “The Arts & Culture Lab has allowed me to put myself in the shoes of a consultant in the industry, teaching me valuable skills in the process.”

Moreover, the Lab served as the first professional exposure to the cultural sector for many students, helping them identify industries where they could build their careers. As Berta Rubio, a student of the Dual Degree in Business Administration and Humanities, explains: “The Arts & Culture Lab has helped me form a clearer idea of the sector I would like to work in.”

About IEU Labs

The Arts & Culture Lab is part of IEU Labs, an IE University’s program that offers a real alternative to traditional internships through consultancy-style experiences in various sectors. These labs allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings from the early stages of their university education. With this model, IE University reinforces its commitment to experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of key sectors for the future, such as the cultural and creative industries.