ASSITEJ is the global networking organisation for all involved with the performing arts for a young audience. It aims to facilitate cross-discipline cooperation between theatre companies, organisations, individual artists, programmers … A number of Belgian children’s art professionals recently took the initiative to establish ‘ASSITEJ Belgium’. With much enthusiasm, we began to make plans … Our explicit aim is to work in the Belgian context, in the first place to get to know each other better. Above all, we want to create an open and dynamic platform, and we’d like you to be a part.
On 19 February 2015, our Kickoff Day took place. At this first gathering, we introduced ASSITEJ Belgium and we reflected with all participants on what this might mean. Vigdis Jakobsdottir (board of ASSITEJ International) explained the global organization and how it works. We also had 3 presentations, explaining the children’s arts’ field in the Flemish, French and German-speaking communities. The day was also an occasion to get to know colleagues on the other side of the language border.
About 115 people were present on the Kickoff Day, and many more showed their interest to be part of ASSITEJ Belgium. We will now continue and make our plans concrete! You can find the presentations of the day below.
Programme
10:30 – Welcome with coffee
11:00 – Intro & presentation of Assitej
11:30 – Presentation of Assitej Belgium: purpose, organisation
11:45 – Input from participants – brainstorming session: What can Assitej Belgium mean? What topics, projects, initiatives can be included?
12:30 – Lunch
13:30 – Conclusions of brainstorming session
14:00 – Info session – What does the children’s arts landscape look like in the Flemish, French and German-speaking communities?
15:00 – Informal opportunity to get to know one another
16:00 – Reception
This day was organised with the support of Krokusfestival, Wallonia-Brussels Théâtre/Danse and Kunstenpunt/Flanders Arts Institute.
Presentations
Presentation_Flemish_Community
Presentation_German-speaking_Community