For Immediate Release
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ISPA Series at the Fringe

Three public events exploring international collaboration in Edinburgh

New York, NY, USA (Friday, June 29, 2018) - The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society are delighted to announce the second season of the joint-program ISPA Series at the Fringe. Over the course of the 2018 Edinburgh festivals, the partnership will host three professional development events for festival attendees (August 8, 15, and 22). The collaboration will bring together emerging and established arts leaders in a dialogue about shared issues in our global community. This partnership between ISPA and the Fringe reflect our shared values of access, equity, and professional development.

David Baile, Chief Executive Officer, International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), said:

?We are delighted to be working again with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to deliver a series of events that explore the fantastic international networking opportunities that platforms like the Fringe and ISPA provide. 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. I look forward to seeing these discussions unfold and hope they inspire further conversations and collaborations between the artists and producers that take part.?

ISPA Series at the Fringe | 11:00? 12:30 | Fringe Central - Informatics Forum, Venue 2

Generational Divides ? In Transition

Pre-war (pre-1946), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1980), and Millennials (1981-2000): How is the nature of leadership changing through these transitions? Do governance and management structures need to transform in response? Join a cross-generational, cross-cultural dialogue to open up the issues behind these questions.

Who Pays the Artists?

Costs are rising, while subsidies are shrinking and consumer behaviours are changing rapidly. How do we keep our industry?s ecosystem viable with the competing demands for resources? And ultimately, who is responsible for paying the artist? Should producers and presenters keep an eye on the economics and leave the artist to endure market forces? Or should the artists take control and create the cultural economy themselves? In a mixed economy who gets paid and who doesn?t ? those who are worthy or those who shout the loudest?

Regional Focus ? Latin America

Latin America is a vast region representing many cultures. As the region?s cultural riches grow in global impact, there are many opportunities for exchange. In this discussion, we?ll learn of key access points and opportunities to begin a dialogue which develops your network.

All events are free but require tickets. More information if available on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.

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About ISPA: The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) is a global association of more than 500 arts management leaders from 56 regions, who come together with the shared goal of strengthening and developing the arts internationally. We achieve this by building leadership ability, by recognizing and discussing field-wide trends and new developments, and by deepening global exchange through the arts. ISPA members include presenters, performing arts organizations, artist managers, competitions, funders, consultants and other professionals working in the performing arts. Founded in 1948 by Patrick Hayes, 2017 marked ISPA's 69th Anniversary. 

Media Contact: Minji Kim (mkim@ispa.org; 1 212 206 8490 x205)

Tell us about what you?re up to in your current role?
As a Palestinian woman managing a theater company I work very hard to use theater to create positive change in the society and make a difference in the life of people especially women, youth and children. Al Harah has achieved a lot during the last 13 years in terms of inclusion, social change and empowering women and youth through theater. We also organize Palestine International Children and Youth Theater Festival every two years.

What were you doing before your current work that led to this?
I was working for seven years as the Assistant Public Information Officer at UNRWA serving Palestinian Refugee rights and issues. Then after a TOT with the Mawred Resource and the European Cultural Foundation I became one of the first trainers  in cultural management in the Arab world who participated in writing the first Arabic Manual in Cultural Management to be published in Arabic. I have been training in cultural management for more than 13 years in the MENA Region and some European countries.

What do you specifically hope to contribute to the global field of the performing arts in your career?
I do hope to be able to encourage and influence people working in performing arts to express their views on issues related to injustices happening in the world bluntly without fear and to be able to take positions towards other people in the world through their creative work. I aspire to build new partnerships with countries in Asia and in Latin America where we have so much in common.

What is your favorite part about working in this field?
My favorite part of working in the field  is seeing the eyes of young people who have experienced the impact of performing arts on their lives, especially women. Witnessing the impact of performing arts on creating positive change in our communities and empowering youth.

What was the impression of your first congress?
I was overwhelmed by the number of fellows who were there and their achievements on the global level. Got inspired by some of the speakers who were selected for the congress. I was proud of our work despite all the challenges we face being under Occupation.

In 2018, ISPA brought 49 Fellows from around the world to the New York Congress. We know it's impossible to meet all these emerging leaders so we're highlighting the 2018 Fellows in features via the members-only monthly Network and on the website.

For Immediate Release

Registration Now Open for Leeuwarden-Friesland 2018 ISPA Congress

Off the Beaten Track
June 11 - 15, 2018, The Netherlands

New York, NY, USA (February 13, 2018) - In collaboration with our host Leeuwarden-Friesland European Capital of Culture 2018, the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) is delighted to announce the launch registration for the upcoming Leeuwarden-Friesland 2018 ISPA Congress, Off the Beaten Track. Congress events begin with the Anthony Field Academy all day Monday, June 11th and the morning of the 12th and the full congress kicks off Tuesday afternoon and runs through Friday, June 15th. View the full schedule.

CONGRESS THEME:

The UN predicts that by 2050, 66% of the world population will live in cities. And yet, humankind seems to flourish in smaller communities, regardless of calling the city or the countryside home. In a world that is tense with populism, climate change, conflict and massive migration, the significance of these territories in society seems to be changing. What role do the performing arts choose to play in this transition and in particular, in the countryside?

"We are delighted to explore Leewuarden-Friesland through the context of the European Capital of Culture. This added layer of activity and infrastructure contributes to an already vibrant and culturally rich region. The proximity of time and space to the international renowned Holland and Oranjewoud Festivals and the opportunity to experience the Oerol Festival only adds incentive to explore this region." said ISPA CEO David Baile.

As the local congress host, Jelle Burggraaff commented that ?Hosting an ISPA Congress in the midst of a year-long program of cultural activity is a truly added value.  We look forward to welcoming a global association of arts leaders to explore the 2018 European Capital of Culture as well as the incredible wealth of offerings in the broader region.  We are also committed to the concept of legacy and are confident that ISPA along with our other programming will contribute to the Leeuwarden-Friesland for years to come.?

Online registration is open through June 1st. Discounted early bird registration is open through April 13th. Additional discounts available for European and Dutch residents.

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About ISPA: The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) is a global association of more than 500 arts management leaders from 56 regions, who come together with the shared goal of strengthening and developing the arts internationally. We achieve this by building leadership ability, by recognizing and discussing field-wide trends and new developments, and by deepening global exchange through the arts. ISPA members include presenters, performing arts organizations, artist managers, competitions, funders, consultants and other professionals working in the performing arts. Founded in 1948 by Patrick Hayes, 2017 marked ISPA's 69th Anniversary. 

About ISPA Congresses: ISPA Congresses bring together performing arts leaders to discover the next great idea, strengthen relationships, and rejuvenate their passion for the arts. Programming is geared toward administrators, presenters, managers, agents, artists and government/cultural leaders.

ISPA holds two Congresses annually, one every January in New York City and a second Congress in a different region of the world. Recent International Congress locations include Seoul, South Korea (2012), Wroc?aw, Poland (2013), Bogot?, Colombia (2014), Malm?, Sweden/Copenhagen, Denmark (2015), and Melbourne, Australia (2016). ISPA?s 100th Congress, Identities, was held in Montr?al, Canada in May 23-27, 2017. For more information about ISPA congresses, visit http://www.ispa.org/?congresses_about.

Past congress photos: http://bit.ly/ispacongresses