IAM Vol 22 Issue 02

 

2026 Orly Beigel Halpern Profile

Welcome to the February issue of International Arts Manager, which reflects a sector navigating renewal, disruption and investment across multiple fronts. In News, we report on developments at the Kennedy Center following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a planned two-year redevelopment programme. Meanwhile, the UK government has taken a different approach, announcing a £1.5 billion capital investment into the sector’s long term sustainability.

Against this backdrop, we hear from Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, who reflects on who reflects on the need to safeguard international collaboration across the sector in a fragmented geopolitical landscape. Reed considers the convergences shaping Liverpool’s creative future, and the role orchestras can play in cultivating new audiences, partnerships and forms of cultural exchange.

This issue also celebrates cultural presenter Orly Beigel Halpern, whose four-decade career has been defined by resilience, instinct and an unwavering belief in music’s power to connect artists, histories and audiences. From a student room in Jerusalem to the stages of Mexico, Russia and beyond, her story is as remarkable as the artists she has championed.

We also report on ISPA’s 2026 New York Congress and the Association of British Orchestras’ 2026 Conference, where Dame Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra, was recognised for her outstanding contribution to orchestral life in the UK. Elsewhere, we catch up with OperaUpClose’s Artistic Director and CEO Flora McIntosh as the company prepares to tour Gianni Schicchi across the UK, while pianist Burkard Schliessmann explains his decision to record on vinyl.

Also in this issue

News
UK government announces £1.5 billion capital funding package for the arts
Kennedy Center set to suspend operations for 
two years
Dudamel and New York Phil team up with Carnegie Hall for opera project
The Cliburn announce new competition
Verbier Festival marks Shenzhen debut with further three-year partnership
Dallas Opera secures multi-million 
campaign milestone
Bachtrack’s 2025 statistics released
Highlights from ABO’s 2026 Conference
Marin Alsop launches #PurpleBaton campaign
WOMEX 2026 jury announced
Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts
2028 Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP): call for Proposals
Classical:NEXT unveils 2026 programme

Musical Chairs
From promotions to retirement – find out who’s on the move

Classical Music Signings
Keep up to date with the latest industry news

Competitions and Awards

sideNotes: Revisiting Volare courtesy of the 2026 Winter Olympics

Low Eng Teong reflects on Singapore as host of ISPA’s Midyear Congress

APAP: A View from Here:
Lisa Richards Toney on trust, urgency and connection

Looking back at ISPA’s NY26 Congress

CINARS: Connected Voices:
Conversation with Fabienne Krause ahead of Classical:NEXT Budapest

Flora McIntosh on OperaUpClose and touring Gianni Schicchi

Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Pianist Burkard Schliessmann on Schumann, sound and the return to vinyl

Orly Beigel Halpern on conviction, resilience and a life in music

Diary Simon Wales

 

Avant Première Music + Media Market 2026 Preview

Looking back at APAP|NYC 2026

CINARS: Connected Voices:
Three mid-career producers share their perspectives on change in the performing arts

In conversation with the 2026 Azrieli Music Prizes laureates

Hijinx’s Director Ben Pettott-Wade reflects on the 10th anniversary tour of Meet Fred

Diary
Jasmin Kent Rodgman
A week with the composer and Co-Artistic Director of Manchester Collective