HEAD – Genève is honored to host the 9th edition of the prestigious ELIA Leadership Symposium on its campus. From October 15 to 17, 2025, 220 directors of universities and art and design schools from around the world will gather to discuss the future of arts education and the impact of economic, social, climatic, cultural, and political changes on education.

ELIA is Europe's leading multidisciplinary network for higher education in the arts. It brings together nearly 300 institutions committed to supporting the training of future artists and designers.
“By hosting the Leadership Symposium in Geneva—after Vancouver, Cape Town, Hangzhou, Tallinn, and Manchester—HEAD confirms its international stature and its desire to contribute to reflections on the future of education and critical thinking in a rapidly changing world,” notes Lada Umstätter, director of HEAD—Geneva and art historian.

Under the theme “The Power of Many,” the 2025 edition of the symposium will allow participants to explore the transformative power of collective intelligence over three days. How can creative communities be united around shared values? How can diversity, inclusivity, and collaboration inspire new models of governance for artistic institutions?
 

This biennial event will feature presentations by many internationally renowned figures and will stimulate dialogue with experts in academic leadership, arts researchers, economists, and individuals engaged in innovative approaches to collective change, including: 

• Crystal Williams, President of the Rhode Island School of Design (United States), a leading figure in the debate on social justice and arts education; 
• Venka Purushothaman, Vice President and Provost of Lasalle University of the Arts (Singapore), a professor and author acclaimed for his commitment to cultural leadership in Asia; 
• Christopher Bailey, Head of Arts and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), a recognized expert on the links between art, health, and society; 
• Roni Brown, Professor Emeritus at the University of the Arts (United Kingdom), a key figure in the dialogue between cultural policy and arts education. 

The symposium will also be an opportunity to showcase Geneva's cultural scene and spirit. Participants will discover iconic locations during guided tours and will also be able to listen to talks by leading figures from Geneva's cultural scene, such as Carine Ayélé Durand, Director of the Geneva Museum of Ethnography, and Pascal Hufschmid, Director of the International Red Cross Museum.