ABOUT ME
In 2002, I started to work as a freelancer, working on editorial jobs and marketing in the arts. Prior to that, I worked for the Dutch Youth Card (Cultureel Jongeren Paspoort) in Amsterdam. I spent many years there as editor in-chief and carried through various initiatives in the Communication Group of the European Youth Card Association, such as setting up a database for the information network.
Since starting my own business I have been privileged to work on many exciting projects. My need to share the beauty of music and theatre with other people is still a key motivation for most of my activities.
To have respect for people and their values, to be open and accountable and to believe in the importance of arts and culture in all their facets is of crucial importance to me.
WHAT I DO
Marketing
I work for various art organisations, venues and theatre companies, supporting them in developing strategic plans and marketing campaigns.
Editorial work
As an example of my many writing activities, every now and then I have published in Het Financieele Dagblad, a national quality newspaper focussing on economics and in Haarlems Dagblad. I am the editor of Kickz, a magazine aimed at young people, published three times a year by De Harmonie, a theatre in Leeuwarden, in the northern part of Holland.
Moderating
Besides moderating discussions, also at international conferences, I present a talk show on arts and culture in the Toneelschuur in Haarlem. This is the country's best theatre, and I'm not being chauvinistic here!
Development
I run training and networking events to facilitate professional development.
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Listed here are some international projects I am involved in as an editor.
Opera project in Ukraine
The Foundation International Opera Productions was initiated to work with a selection of renowned opera houses from new European countries for the realization of an artistic, professional and technical dialogue and the improvement of the mutual exchange of cultural values, in particular for opera. During the past eight years many technical staff members from opera houses in Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic have been working in Dutch theatres and their experiences have had a tremendous influence in their home countries. With this in mind, the idea was born to set up a new project organization to share skills, values and experience in the practice of staging contemporary performing arts in both music and theatre. The aim of the project is to establish change in the structure and operation of Eastern European countries, cultural institutions and networks. Together with Freek Bloemers, an independent arts consultant, I have been working on a so-called Matra programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs designed to promote social transformation in Central and Eastern Europe.
SICA Magazine
The Dutch Service Centre for International Cultural Activities (SICA) was set up to act as an independent information and co-ordination centre for organisations involved in all kinds of cultural disciplines, both within the Netherlands and abroad. SICA Magazine is a quarterly publication devoted to international cultural policy that unfortunately only comes in Dutch. SICA's website has an English section: www.sica.nl
Power of Culture
The Power of Culture is a bi-lingual website about culture and development. The ideas, ideals and creativity of people are the driving force behind development towards more political, economic and social freedom. The Power of Culture reviews art and cultural expressions in conjunction with human rights, education, the environment, emancipation and democratisation. The site also reports on the part played by cultural organisations mainly in Africa, Asia end Latin America. News and background information illustrate how culture is inextricably entwined with ethics and policy. The Power of Culture also points the way to other internet sources, media and organisations.
Readership 800 readers daily, of which nearly 50% are non-Dutch.
Initiative NCDO
Partners Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DOEN Foundation, European Cultural Foundation, Hivos Cultural Fund, Prince Claus Fund, Royal Tropical Institute, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Service Centre for International Cultural Activities / SICA
Besides my job as an editor I am also responsible for networking and marketing.
www.powerofculture.nl
EUnetART, European Network of Art Organisations for Children and Young People
EUnetART stimulates exchange, connection and collaboration among art professionals, bringing the arts alive for children and young people in Europe. EUnetART is a multi-disciplinary cultural network of over 100 organisations in 28 countries. Members are professional art organisations that work for children and young people. Disciplines include the performing arts, the visual arts, music, museums, arts heritage centres, children's art and community centres, media for children and festivals. Besides my job as an editor of various publications, like the bimonthly newsletter, I also act as moderator during conferences.
In 2006 I did some case studies on marketing young audiences in theatres and museums, called The place to be or not to be . You can read this here
www.eunetart.org
