The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) is pairing up with Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (EFFS) to deliver a series of professional development sessions at this year’s festival.
The three sessions on 9, 16, and 22 August will cover topics including festival development, new models of distribution and the art of creating international connections. Panellists and facilitators include Matt Lenton from Vanishing Point, Michelle Witt from the Meany Center for the Performing Arts and Ahmed El Attar of Downtown Contemporary Art Festival Cairo.
Explained ISPA CEO David Baile: “These discussions, conducted by some of the leading figures from the international arts community, will consider how the arts are responding to changes within the cultural landscape and the opportunities and challenges presented.”
The first session on 9 August ‘Festivals: Creating Opportunities’ will focus on the future of festivals and how they can continue to create opportunities for audiences, artists and presenters. ‘Art and Power: Creating New Models’ on 16 August will look at the new power structures that link artists, curators and presenters. Finally, on 22 August ‘Beyond the Transaction: Creating Internationalism’ will examine approaches to international creative partnerships, networks, residencies, co-production and audience development.
“The Fringe offers an excellent forum to discuss shifts taking place within the international cultural landscape and the opportunities and challenges that these present for artists and festivals,” said EFFS chief executive Shona McCarthy. “ISPA’s position as one of the leading global networks for performing arts leaders make them the perfect partner for these discussions.”
The events are free but ticketed, with tickets available online, at the Fringe Central reception before the event and on the door.