IETM Sofia resources: The Independent Performing Arts Scene in Bulgaria & Fair Pay in the Arts
Register for the IETM Focus Den Bosch 2024
IETM Caravan Lofoten 2024
Field Study on International Cultural Policy - English version out now!
Global Cultural Relations Programme 2024 open call
Members’ news
IETM Out & About - latest and next speaking engagements
EU & Policy news
IETM EVENTS
This was the IETM Sofia Plenary Meeting 2024
On 12-15 June, IETM returned to Sofia ten years after its ‘momentus’ 2014 plenary which ignited the creation of a centre for the independent performing arts, now Toplocentrala. More than 350 performing arts professionals, speakers, moderators and artists attended and contributed to cutting-edge panels, workshops and debates, addressing the 'burning’ topics of fair pay, working conditions, climate justice and mental - and physical - well-being. Alongside this, participants had the opportunity to experience the vibrant artistic programme and participate in networking activities.
Try to spot yourself and listen to the insightful interviews that took place during the meeting with the official aftermovie, filmed and edited by Ivan Nikolov from Oppn Productions.
Browse through the pictures from the meeting and share them on social media - make sure to add the #IETMSofia hashtag and credit the photographer when you do!
For those of you who could not join us, delve into the opening words and inspiring topics from the Wednesday keynote as well as the Friday keynote by watching the recordings of the livestreams and taking a look at the accompanying slides.
IETM and Toplocentrala are pleased to present the mapping of the independent performing arts scene in Bulgaria. This publication offers a snapshot of the current Bulgarian performing arts landscape, with clear emphasis on the independent scene. We sought to provide insights into the social, economic and political contexts that continue to shape the ecosystem of the independent performing arts scene in Bulgaria.
Read our recently released publication shedding light into the various roles that the public funders, artists, unions, resource organisations and institutions can undertake in promoting and enacting fair pay practices.
For the last event of 2024, IETM will head to Den Bosch in the Netherlands on 29-31 October to celebrate our collective learnings from the past three years and set the course for the next ones.
Hosted and co-organised by our member Verkadefabriek, IETM members and international guests will deep dive into what the future of the international performing arts sector could look like around three axes: The Rules of the Game, The State of the Arts and Rework the System.
There are inspiring performances on offer each day, featuring some of the most prominent voices in modern physical theatre, dance and new circus by Panama Pictures, Julian Vogel, Bambie and Het Zuidelijk Toneel. More info coming soon!
Accommodation in Den Bosch can be expensive and hard to come by - we recommend you book your hotel as soon as possible if you are planning on attending the meeting.
The second IETM Caravan of 2024 is fast approaching! During the Caravan, co-organised with IETM member the Davvi - Centre for Performing Arts, participants will learn and discover how living in the Arctic affects the art, artists and the people of the North through a just-announced programme, including networking activities, panel discussions and a wide range of performances.
The Caravan is currently sold out. If you are still interested in attending, you can join a waiting list by writing to ietm@ietm.org.
On 29 May, we partnered with our member KVS and IDEA Consult for the IETM Single Day Event Brussels 2024, where 60+ participants from Belgium and beyond looked at the future of the Flemish performing arts sector through international lenses. The success of the event showcases the important contribution that IETM can make in regional and national conversations to identify new trends and emerging models in transnational collaboration in the performing arts.
During the event, our colleagues from IDEA Consult presented the 'Field Study on International Cultural Policy' for the Department of Culture, Youth and Media of the Flemish Community, now available in English.
Apply now to the Global Cultural Relations Programme (GCRP), a unique training opportunity by the Cultural Relations Platform. The 2024 edition will take place in Marrakech, Morocco from 25-28 November, and it is open to cultural and creative professionals or participants working in fields of creating safer societies.
The programme will be conducted in English. Application deadline: 14 July 2024. Find out more here
After the IETM Sofia Plenary Meeting 2024, a group of 18 IETM members and international professionals from 16 countries participated in a post-meeting trip to Varna to explore the creation of a specialised venue for contemporary dance and performing arts. The group identified a marine harbour building located in the Port of Varna - Magazia 7 - as the most suitable space.
Following the model of Toplocentrala in Sofia, the Varna Dance Theater team are now calling on IETM members and beyond for their contributions to shape the future of Magazia 7.
After her pitch at IETM Sofia, Riham Isaac (Palestine) is looking for an energetic, inspiring and ‘team player’ producer to work with her on her performance ‘Another Lover's Discourse’. Discover more here.
Pro Progressione (Hungary) shares two exciting episodes of their Green Academy Series, a project emphasising the integration of artistic practices with the ‘more-than-human’ environment. You can listen to the recordings and learn more about the Green Academy here.
IETM joins performing arts colleagues and organisations across Europe and beyond in remembering Latvian theatre maker Zane Kreicberga, who passed away after a serious illness on 11 June. IETM sends our heartfelt condolences to Zane Kreicberga's family, friends and colleagues. Read the full in memoriam here.
IETM Out & About - Latest and upcoming speaking engagements
Over the past two months, the IETM team attended a number of important events to enlarge our network, build new connections and keep in contact with our members outside IETM events. Take a look at what we participated in and note the next opportunities to meet the IETM team in a face-to-face setting here.
EU & POLICY NEWS
Have your say on Creative Europe!
The European Commission has opened a public consultation to collect feedback from everyone, in addition to the organisations and individuals directly involved in or benefiting from the Creative Europe programme. The consultation is open until 6 September 2024.