Mentors & Guest Speakers

Presenters at the Atelier are renowned festival directors and managers, experienced festival operators, professionals and artists. During their participation they not only act as lecturers, but also as true mentors as they engage in one-on-one discussions with the participants. They are present for multiple days, some for the whole period of the training. They allow participants an honest and open insight into their careers, including both success stories and failures.

Mentors at work

Pool of Experts

Under the facilitation of Mike Van Graan (President of the African Cultural Policy Network, South Africa), the following festival experts shared their wealth of experience with participants, guided them through the 7 days, and discussed questions and issues raised by the participants themselves. 

  • Mantse Aryeequaye
  • Cristina Fuentes La Roche
  • Carole U. Karemera
  • Annet Lekkerkerker
  • Ismail Mahomed
  • Brett Pyper
  • Carmen Romero Quero

Mentors were also available for personal exchanges during informal moments as lunches, dinners, visits etc., as this is an essential feature of the Atelier.

Guest Speakers from South-Africa include:

  • Keitu Gwangwa, Head Windybrow Arts Centre
  • Yvette Hardie, ASSITEJ Director South Africa
  • Leila Heinriques, Director ‘Hani: The Legacy’ 
  • William Kentridge, Craftsman, performer and filmmaker / the Centre for the Less Good Idea
  • Bronwyn Lace, Animateur for the Centre for the Less Good Idea
  • Siphiwe Ngwenya, Curator & Founder The Maboneng Township Arts Experience
  • Ricardo Peach, Director Vrystaat Kunstefees/Arts Festival/Tsa-Botjhaba
  • Mandisi Sindo, Theatre4Change Arts Project

Check back for more information, and stay updated with The Festival Academy news by signing up for our mailing list, following us on Twitter, or liking our Facebook page. Have a look at the list of experts of the previous training programmes of The Festival Academy.

Mantse Aryeequaye

Mantse Aryeequaye

Co-Director at Accra [Dot] Alt, Director and founder the Chale Wote Street Art Festival – Ghana

You can find more here.

Cristina Fuentes La Roche

Cristina Fuentes La Roche

International Director Hay Festival – UK/South America

You can find more here.

Carole U. Karemera

Carole U. Karemera

Artistic Director Ishyo Arts Centre - Rwanda

You can find more here.

Annet Lekkerkerker

Annet Lekkerkerker

Director Holland Festival – The Netherlands

You can find more here.

Ismail Mahomed

Ismail Mahomed

Chief Executive Officer, Market Theatre Foundation – South Africa

You can find more here.

Carmen Romero Quero

Carmen Romero Quero

Executive director of Teatro a Mil Foundation - Chile

You can find more here.

Brett Pyper

Brett Pyper

Associate Professor and Head of the Wits School of Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg – South Africa 

You can find more here.

Mike Van Graan

Mike Van Graan

Founding President of the African Cultural Policy Network - South Africa

You can find more here.