Productive days in Antwerp: the second Edition of the Festival Production Management Training programme kicked off
Yesterday, 18 January 2017, the second edition of the Festival Production Management Training programme opened with 15 young production managers from across the globe, at deSingel International Arts Campus in Antwerp, Belgium. Organised by The Festival Academy (an initiative of the European Festivals Association), this new training programme allows participants to exchange with expert production managers on their experience and the challenges of realising an artistic work. The group was welcomed by Jerry Aerts, Director deSingel International Arts Campus, and Inge Ceustermans, Managing Director The Festival Academy.
The four-day programme is the first module of three. Module II gives participants the opportunity to practise their skills with a placement at a prestigious festival from across the world, while Module III will reunite the participants at a closing conference to reflect on their experiences and growth.
15 young production managers from 11 different countries
The core element of the Festival Managers Production Training is the exchanges between the fellow production managers. 15 young production managers from 11 countries will meet and share their experiences. These connections are sure to take them to new places, both metaphorically and literally.
“The Festival Production Management Training is first and foremost about sharing: sharing your ideas, knowledge, and experiences. It is a space where you will confront the views of others with your own. You will learn a lot from the presenters, your colleague festival managers, and the team of deSingel. But also think about what you can offer, what you have to give, what people can learn from you.”– Inge Ceustermans. Read the full speech here.
Expert guidance from renowned production and festival managers throughout the FMPT
Renowned production managers and artists will not only be giving presentations, but they will also exchange with participants in working sessions and informal moments throughout the four days. Roy Luxford, Planning and Operations Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, will attend the full four days. Roy has a wealth of experience, having previously held roles including Executive Director of Cheek by Jowl and the Michael Clark Company, the Programme Manager at Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the Peacock Theatre, and General Manager of DB8 Physical Theatre amongst others.
Annet Lekkerkerker, Managing Director of the Holland Festival, will also share her rich experience. Since 2009 she has collaborated with artistic directors Pierre Audi (until 2014) and Ruth Mackenzie (since then). Annet previously worked as Head of Programming at the Stadscchouwburg Amsterdam. She currently sits on various boards and chairs of the Amsterdam Cultural Coalition.
Completing our panel of experts is Han Van Poucke, Head of Production of the Holland Festival since January 2017. With a 10-year background as theatre dancer, Han has previously worked as freelance production manager with Naranti Productions and with Dance group Krisztina de Châtel. In 2002 he joined Holland Festival as a producer becoming Deputy Head of Production in 2015.
Guest speakers
Joining the FMPT Antwerp for shorter periods to share their knowledge are guest speakers including Jerry Aerts Director of deSingel International Arts Campus (Belgium), Tomas Aragay, Director of Societat Doctor Alonso (Spain), Mia Habis and Omar Rajeh, respectively Director and Artistic Director of Maqamat (Lebanon), Caroline Madl, General Manager of Superamas (Belgium, France, Austria) and Wouter van Ransbeek, Associate Director of Toneelgroep Amsterdam (The Netherlands) amongst others. Sessions will be moderated by the Festival Academy’s General Coordinator Hugo de Greef. Participants will also be introduced to the cultural scene in Antwerp, they will visit several leadings institutions and artists and attend performances of amongst others Toneelgroep Amsterdam, Maqamat & Le Trio Jourban, Dinara Klinton and Societat Doctor Alonso.
Follow the Festival Production Management Training Antwerp 2017 online:
- on EFA’s blog Festival Bytes for first-hand insight into the training
- on The Festival Academy’s Facebook page for news and updates
- on EFA’s Twitter account @EFA60 using #FPMT2017