Success story Singapore Atelier: inspiring speeches, broad media coverage

The first Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Asia (Singapore, 14-21 May 2011) was a great success with important contributions of 11 mentors and speakers, such as the keynote speech of Robyn Archer (Creative Director The Centenary of Canberra (2013), Artistic Director of The Light in Winter – Australia) at the closing event on 20 May. The success is reflected in the broad media coverage the Atelier SINGAPORE 2011 has received since its official announcement in November 2011. In her keynote speech Robyn Archer reflected on why arts and festivals matter. “Let’s make sure we serve artists, in their right. If we serve them to ensure continuing practice of creativity at the edge, then we serve not only audiences but we serve community, society and the world at large,” she underlined. With her speech, Robyn Archer paved the way for a discussion of renowned directors of well-known festivals to debate on the role and position of arts and arts festivals in society which is increasingly a complex and convoluted one, caught between artistic ideals and political realities in a static or shrinking pool of resources. Leading festival experts engaged in a lively discussion: Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (former Director of the Avignon Festival - France); Grace Lang (Programme Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival); Nele Hertling (former Director Hebbel-Theatre, Berlin - Germany) and Dr Robert Liew (first Singaporean Artistic Director of the Singapore Arts Festival). Furthermore, speakers included: Kris Peeters, Minister-President of Flanders/Belgium; Venka Purushothaman, Provost LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore; Ambassador Dominique Girard, Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF); Darko Brlek, EFA President, as well as Kathrin Deventer, EFA Secretary General, and, Hugo De Greef, General Coordinator of the Atelier. An impression of the discussion is given in a video clip released by the Asia-Europe Foundation, co-organiser of the Singapore Atelier. Up to now, the Atelier can look on an ever-growing network of “alumni”: after three editions, 102 young festival managers and 32 presenters from all over the world have participated in the Atelier for Young Festival Managers. All information about SINGAPORE 2011 as well as the upcoming Atelier IZMIR 2011 can be found on the Atelier website. Related links and documents: • Website SINGAPORE 2011 • Ateliers 2006-2011: List of presenters • CVs mentors and presenters SINGAPORE 2011 • Media Coverage SINGAPORE 2011 • Closing ceremony Atelier SINGAPORE 2011 • Keynote speech closing session by Robyn Archer • Video Closing Session (released by ASEF) • Press release (31 May 2011): Atelier for Young Festival Managers - First edition in Asia: taking it to a new level • Press release (12 May 2011): International Festival Experts in Singapore for First Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Asia • Event announcement (11 May 2011) • Official schedule (programme) • Atelier SINGAPORE 2011 photo gallery • Atelier on facebook – Become a fan!