KotorArt Academy: A regional platform that combines culture, education and ideas

As part of the international KotorArt festival, the KotorArt Academy of Performing Arts program – a specialized platform for the education of young cultural workers, producers and managers in culture – was successfully implemented for the second time. This year, the Academy brought together participants from the region and renowned mentors, who, through lectures, workshops and practical work, transferred knowledge about contemporary production, administrative and artistic processes.

The mentoring team was led by Dubravka Vrgoč, playwright and director of the Croatian National Theatre Rijeka, and Edin Jasarovic, Dean of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje. The program was further enriched by experts such as Martin Fans (Zagreb Music Biennial), Tome Leka (Theatre Luxembourg), Aleksandar Brkić, Andy Brydon, Silvena Paskve (European Commission), and actor and producer Tihomir Stanić.

"It's exciting to work with young people. I'm not just learning from them - we're also learning from each other. KotorArt Academy provides an opportunity for regional networking and developing concrete projects," Vrgoč pointed out.

The Academy was an opportunity to develop authentic projects. Adi Glavinic, a graduate producer from BiH, presented the idea of a traveling play for children about ecology: “The mentors showed me that this business can really be done in our region. This was a life-changing experience.”

He also shared his vision of the Academy. Vladimir Beljic, author of the project "Culture on Wheels" - a mobile cultural center in a van: "Culture must reach villages and smaller towns. The Academy allowed me to connect, learn and develop an idea."

The program included topics such as international cooperation, financing models, sustainability of performing arts, legal aspects of cultural work, and regional and European touring strategies. The Academy was both a knowledge space and a strategic platform for the exchange of ideas and the building of regional partnerships.

Special value was provided by the daily interaction between participants and lecturers in the Creative Hub in Kotor, which proved to be an inspiring and functional environment.

The festival's PR team says: "Without staying together and exchanging ideas on a daily basis, such a strong initiative could not reach this level."

KotorArt Academy once again confirmed the importance of connections and cultural exchange in the region – because culture remains the common language that connects us.