Global Connect is an IETM programme created with and supported by IETM Associate Members. The goal of Global Connect is to make their network more inclusive, diverse and accessible. Since 2022, IETM Global Connect has supported and welcomed 33 established performing arts professionals from five continents to their network. These professionals have enhanced our dialogues with their knowledge and experiences.
What are the aims of IETM Global Connect?
IETM Global Connect enables performing arts professionals from across the globe to:
- Actively contribute towards IETM’s activities and development by bringing fresh perspectives to the dialogue within the network and influence the global performing arts sector on a long term basis.
- Expand their international network and find new collaborators and partners across all horizons - via online and on-site opportunities.
- Allow the opportunity for international visibility of alternative and/or innovative working models, practices and ideas developed in their professional local context and communities.
- Become inspired in their professional lives, which they can share with their communities.
- Develop new skills and knowledge through peer-to-peer learning.
What does IETM Global Connect offer?
As part of the programme, successful applicants will benefit from:
- IETM Membership: selected Global Connectors will be granted a free individual IETM membership for five years (beginning of 2024 untill the end of 2028) with full access to all members’ benefits.
The membership includes:
- Free registration to all IETM events.
- Full access to the IETM internal digital platform and members’ newsletters.
- Opportunities to use the IETM partners search tool and to share news, resources and call to actions via IETM's website and other communication channels.
- Participation in the IETM Governance through voting and applying to be elected in the IETM General Assembly.
- Many more benefits, listed here.
Participation in exclusive online sessions: From January to May 2023, the selected Global Connectors will be involved in four online sessions leading up to the IETM Sofia Plenary Meeting 2024:
- Online introductory session where all Global Connectors will present themselves and get to know each other in Mid-January 2023.
- One online, individual, 1-1 session with the IETM team to have an in-depth and tailored introduction to IETM, its activities and all the membership benefits .
- Online live testimonies from members of the Global Connectors Alumni at the beginning of March.
- 30 April 2023 - Online Global Connect Presentation Session open to the whole IETM membership, 6 weeks prior to the IETM Sofia Plenary Meeting. In this session, the Global Connectors 2024 have the opportunity to introduce themself to the whole membership and share information about their projects, work practices and local community prior to their participation in the Plenary. The aim is to foster interest and connections that can be further explored at the Sofia Plenary Meeting.
- The timeframe of all the online sessions will depend on the timezones of the selected participants.
- Funding support to attend one IETM meeting: The Global Connectors 2024 will receive funding support to attend the IETM Plenary meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria on 12-15 June 2024. The support will cover all travel, accommodation and visa costs as well as other relevant costs required to attend the meeting.
All selected Global Connectors are expected to attend the meeting, so please ensure that the dates are feasible when submitting your application. The Global Connectors 2024 will be able to experience the Plenary as IETM members, having access to all the programme’s working sessions, networking opportunities and parallel activities. In addition, they will specifically participate in:
- A networking activity connected to the Online Global Connect Presentation Session, aimed at strengthening the connections made online;
- One private session reserved for both the Global Connectors 2024 and the alumni from the previous editions who will be attending IETM Sofia.
- Important: As the IETM Sofia programme is currently being developed, the 2024 Global Connectors will be taken into consideration when selecting speakers and moderators for the Plenary’s sessions, panels and workshops. Therefore, we encourage those with experience in public speaking or knowledge based on our 2024 thematics to apply. Please note that this involvement will depend on the final structure of the Plenary’s programme and that not all the selected Global Connectors 2024 may be involved in this process.
Who can apply?
IETM Global Connect is open to performing arts professionals worldwide (producers, artists, managers, presenters, etc.) working in an organisation or as freelance/self-employed.
Up to ten Global Connectors will be selected for the 2024 edition of the programme.
Eligibility criteria:
- Applicants should be currently working in the contemporary performing arts (except for live music) anywhere in the world. Particular attention will be given towards professionals from areas or countries where IETM has low membership or no members at all. You can view the IETM members list here.
- Applicants should have a minimum of five years professional experience in the performing arts field.
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate a concrete commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity for the benefit of their communities.
- As IETM’s working language, applicants should be able to communicate proficiently in English and be able to contribute to meetings and gatherings in English.
- Applicants should be able to travel to Bulgaria for the IETM Sofia Plenary Meeting (12-15 June 2024). Therefore, they must be eligible to apply for a visa to enter Bulgaria in a timely manner, if needed. Please find more info about the visa procedure here.
- Current IETM members and current Global Connect Alumni are NOT eligible to apply.
Deadline: 02 November 2023
Apply here
