Atelier for Young Festival Managers: deadline approaching, new presenters announced

The fifth Atelier for Young Festival Managers takes place from 14-21 October 2012 in Ljubljana. The application deadline is 31 May 2012. Meanwhile, two more presenters have confirmed their participation: Rose Fenton (UK) and Michal Merczynski (Poland). EFA’s 7 days training programme addresses emerging artistic festival directors worldwide. The 2012 edition is hosted and co-organised by the Ljubljana Festival. Format and Speakers The Atelier brings together 45 festival managers from all over the world. Distinguished festival directors including Bernard Faivre d’Arcier (President of the Lyon Biennial, France), Robyn Archer (Creative Director The Centenary of Canberra (2013), Artistic Director The Light In Winter Melbourne, Australia), Hugo De Greef (initiator of festivals and General Manager Bruges European Capital of Culture 2002, Belgium), Rose Fenton (International Arts Producer and Advisor, UK), Nele Hertling (Vice-Chair of the Academy of Arts Berlin, Germany), Michal Merczynski (Director Malta Festival Poznan, Poland), and Jonathan Mills (Festival Director and Chief Executive Edinburgh International Festival, UK), together with some other well selected, renowned festival pioneers attending for at least two full days, guide participants throughout the week. In lectures, one-to-one talks, group discussions as well as intense workshops on case studies, issues such as artistic vision, political and social responsibility, internationalisation, networking, renewal and sustainability are explored. Mission of the Atelier The Atelier – initiated by the European Festivals Association - is guided by the motto “Car le vrai rôle d'un festival est d'aider les artistes à oser, à entreprendre des projets,” borrowed from Bernard Faivre d'Arcier, longstanding Director of the Avignon Festival and President of the Lyon Biennial (France). It is an intense and rigorous 7 days training platform addressed at emerging artistic festival directors or those who have ambitions to become involved in programming or in programming related departments within a festival. It is all about formulating experiences and passing on knowledge to a next generation of festival makers: knowledge about programming a festival, thematically focusing on the very essence of arts festivals: the art and the artist. Application procedure and deadlines All information on the Atelier, selection criteria and application procedure can be found in the Call for Application. The Application Form has to be submitted until 31 May 2012: • Call for Application • Application Form Young festival managers from all over the world are invited to apply. Festivals, cultural organisations, networks, foundations, universities etc are invited to delegate a young festival manager to participate in the Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012, and to spread the Call for Application broadly to their members, partners, contacts and interested people. Partners and city The Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Ljubljana is initiated by the European Festivals Association and co-organised by the Ljubljana Festival, one of the most important festivals in the region. Since 60 years, the festival has hosted numerous internationally recognised artists. The Ljubljana Festival has been a member of EFA since 1977. Ljubljana is famous for its unique character: it has preserved its historical heritage and tradition while being a modern and relatively young city – the residents' average age is only slightly above 30. Ljubljana boasts one of the world's oldest philharmonic societies. Each year it hosts over 10,000 cultural events, from prestigious musical, theatre and art events to alternative and avant-garde events, notably including 14 international festivals. Related links and documents • Press release: Atelier LJUBLJANA 2012 launched - Call for Applications online • LJUBLJANA 2012: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Ljubljana/Slovenia • IZMIR 2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Izmir/Turkey • SINGAPORE 2011: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Singapore • VARNA 2009: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Varna/Bulgaria • GÖRLITZ 2006: Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Görlitz/Germany Latest news, documents, and all information related to the Atelier can be followed at www.atelierforyoungfestivalmanagers.eu. In case of further questions please contact atelier@efa-aef.eu or call +32 9 241 8080.