CIFAS: Producers’ Academy

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The Producers’ Academy is a four-day learning lab designed for international producers working with participatory and contextualized projects in the performing arts. It provides an opportunity to reflect, co-learn, and address current challenges in producing participatory work and projects in public spaces. Through discussions, walks, and interactive sessions, the program explores ethical questions and collaborative methodologies.

 

Information & Application Details:

  • Application deadline: February 16, 2025, at midnight CET
  • Event period: May 19 – May 22, 2025
  • Application fee: Free

 

Eligibility:

The program is open to;

  • Producers working in/with public spaces or participatory projects.
  • Producers/cultural entrepreneurs with innovative approaches to international and trans-sectorial work (e.g., decolonization, feminism, fair practices, climate change, accessibility).
  • Individuals with at least five years of experience in producing within the performing arts sector (excluding opera and music-only projects).
  • Applicants from all nationalities.
  • Participants must be proficient in English.

Themes:

  • Producing participatory and contextualized projects.
  • Tackling ethical questions related to participation and public space.
  • Collaborative methodologies like Action Learning.
  • Insights from speakers and knowledge-sharing within the group.

 

How to Apply:

  1. Fill out the online form.
  2. Attach a 1-page CV and a motivation letter (max. 3,000 characters including spaces), explaining your practice and reasons for participating.
  3. Combine the documents into a single PDF named “SURNAME Name”.
  4. For Bursary Applicants:
    • Include an additional motivation letter detailing your financial situation (max. 1,500 characters including spaces) named “SURNAME Name_funding”.

 

Submission Requirements:

  • CV (1 page max.)
  • Motivation letter (3,000 characters max.)
  • Optional: Additional letter for bursary applicants (1,500 characters max.)

 

Selection Process:

Applicants will be selected based on their alignment with the program’s themes and their experience in participatory/contextualized work.

 

Program Benefits:

  • Free participation, including the full program, lunches, and tickets to two performances.
  • Networking opportunities with leading producers, cultural entrepreneurs, and facilitators.
  • Learning from methodologies like Action Learning and interactive workshops.
  • A chance to explore ethical questions and expand collaborative practices.
  • Travel and Accommodation:
    • Participants cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
    • A limited number of travel bursaries are available for producers from countries with limited financial support for mobility.

 

Speakers:

  • Bek Berger (Facilitator) – Curator and dramaturg.
  • Cecilia Kuska – Producer with expertise in ethical participation and public space projects.
  • Rachel Nelken & Delia Barker – Specialists in Action Learning methodologies.

Contact & Resources:

Questions about eligibility: Beth Gordon at beth@cifas.be.

 

Website link:

https://cifas.be/en/event/2025/pa-2025/producers-academy-2025.html

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