Call for applications: 2022 young festival managers workshop in Canada

Now in its 19th edition, the annual training programme offers up to 35 young festival managers from around the world a chance to spend a week together with a group of young and experienced festival leaders, cultural activists, cross-sector experts and local artists during Festival TransAmériques. 

The programme is about gaining new perspectives, exploring the essence of applicants’ festivals in a global context, share and exchange experiences and reflect on the topics that concern them. Mentors and guest speakers will share their rich experiences and answer participants’ questions along the way, allowing participants an honest and open insight into their careers, including success stories and failures.

 Who can apply?

• The opportunity is open to all emerging festival managers.

Participants will have a chance to do the following:

• Attend performances at the Festival TransAmériques.
• Meet with artists and production teams.
• Discover the identity and the behind-the-scenes of the international festival. 

Topics to be discussed include:

• Different models of curating, focusing on building audiences/communities. Innovation and new technologies.
• The social, environmental and artistic impact of festivals: How festivals are/can be agents for social change and social cohesion.
• Fundraising (beyond subventions).
• How and if festivals can contribute to strengthening global identities and values and tackle rising nationalism.
• Fair international collaboration (and trade), including the UNESCO 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
• Festivals and migrant/refugees communities.
• Sustainable festival-making on all levels.
• Freedom of expression and the relevance of artistic boycott.

The course fee is €2 100 (about $2 500). Several funding opportunities for this training programme are available. Interested applicants can find more information about the application, selection and funding opportunities here, and access the application form here.

The application deadline is 30 September.

View the original call here.