NB8 Nordic Circle – Mentoring Program 2021-2024
NB8 Nordic Circle is a Nordic-Baltic network and mentoring program for the development of producer skills in the independent arts field, especially in dance. The mentoring program has been implemented as a joint project of five Nordic actors. In addition, there were six cooperation partners from the Baltics and autonomous northern regions. The aim of the project was to strengthen the Nordic and Baltic infrastructure for the production, management and distribution of dance.
The NB8 Nordic Circle mentoring program was originally planned for the years 2021–2023, but due to the corona pandemic, the schedule had to be extended. The project was carried out in 2021–2024. The mentoring program included two project cycles, for both of which eight participants were selected through an open call. A suitable mentor from another country was selected for each participant. In total, 16 mentors and mentees participated in the program.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
NB8 Nordic Circle is a joint initiative of contemporary dance organizations in 5 Nordic countries, with 6 associate partners in the Baltic countries and other Nordic regions.
Project manager organization was Arts Management Helsinki. Other core partner organizations were SITE Sweden, JC Copenhagen, Dansverkstæðið and Performing Arts Hub Norway.
Associated partners the Baltic countries: New Theatre Institute of Latvia, Plartforma Lithuania, Estonian Dance Agency. Associated partners in the other Nordic regions: Qiajuk Studios, Greenland; The Nordic House, Faroe Islands; Nordic Institute on Åland (NIPÅ).
The mentoring program was supported by the Nordic Culture Point, Nordic Culture Fund, Ministry of Culture and Education in Finland, Swedish Arts Council and Danish Arts Foundation.
“New way to develop a professional relationship.”
“Meeting other people who have the same struggles, same understanding.”
“This kind of support is unique.”
“It takes a lot but you get more back.”
“Highlight was to meet in person.”
“Confidence boost.”
“Safe space. Joy.”
“Tangible change.”
“Beauty of the program is having time together.”
“It turns the world upside down a little bit. The process gives you an opportunity to change.”
PROGRAM WEBSITE:
Mentoring Program 2021-2024
CYCLE 1
Mentees:
Elina Aholainen (Finland)
Kara Hergils (Iceland)
Minna-Triin Kohv (Estonia)
Ina Ločmele (Latvia)
Vár Bech Árting (Faroe Island)
Maija Pavlova (Latvia)
Emilija Rimašauskienė (Lithuania)
Julianna Viðarsdottir (Sweden)
Mentors:
Sigrid Aakvik, Creative Producer Art & About (Denmark)
Emmy Astbury, Producer Cullberg (Sweden)
Annika Ostwald, Producer (Sweden)
Ragnheiður Skúladóttir, CEO and Artistic director of Festspillene (Norway)
Anne Holck Ekenes, Artistic Director of Panta Rei Danseteater (Norway)
Elina Ruoho-Kurola, Producer Zodiak – Center for New Dance (Finland)
Isabel Gonzalez, Executive producer and General manager of Moving in November (Finland) Marinella Jaskari, Executive Producer, Helsinki City Theatre (Finland)
Partners:
Tinna Grétarsdottir, Dansverkstæðið (Iceland)
Jens Christian Jensen, JC Copenhagen (Denmark)
Emelie Johansson, SITE Sweden (Sweden)
Outi Järvinen, Arts Management Helsinki (Finland)
Ulrika Vilke, Arts Management Helsinki (Finland)
CYCLE 2
Mentees:
Mirkka Maikola (Finland)
Heba Eir Kjeld (Iceland)
Evelyn Raudsepp (Estonia)
Patrīcija Kolāte (Latvia)
Thea Thori Kogstadt (Norway)
Maja Bonde Holtze (Denmark)
Anders Engebretsen (Norway)
Lena Yngvesson (Sweden)
Mentors:
Kasper Egelund, International producer of Bora Bora (Denmark)
Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir (Iceland)
Katja Kirsi, Managing Director of Reality Research Center (Finland)
Bek Berger, Artistic Director of the New Theatre Institute of Latvia (Latvia)
Tora de Zwart Rørholt, Creative Producer (Norway)
Tina Eriksson Fredriksson, Riksteatern (Sweden)
Anne Cecilie Bodin Larsen, Managing Director of Jo Strømgren Kompani (Norway)
Ann-Jette Caron, Creative producer, Selected Works Festival and freelance (Denmark)
Partners:
Tinna Grétarsdottir, Dansverkstæðið (Iceland)
Jens Christian Jensen, JC Copenhagen (Denmark)
Emelie Johansson, SITE Sweden (Sweden)
Daniel Iinatti, SITE Sweden (Sweden)
Outi Järvinen, Arts Management Helsinki (Finland)
Ulrika Vilke, Arts Management Helsinki (Finland)
The five Nordic partners of NB8 Circle have successfully carried out a three-year mentoring program for Nordic producers and self-producing artists in 2016-2018, called the Nordic Circle of Artistic Management (NCoAM). During that time, the program aimed at developing production competence, and more specifically the management skills of dance producers and self-producing artists/choreographers within the Nordic region.
In 2019, the Nordic Circle partners arranged the Mentoring in the Arts Seminar at Hanaholmen in Finland.
In 2019, project partner SITE Sweden published “Mentorship Toolbox for Artists”, the result of a think-tank on mentorship in artistic processes that was carried out together with MARC, Milvus Artistic Research Center in Sweden. This toolbox will be part of the preparation process for both mentors and mentees also in the NB8 Circle – Mentoring Program 2021-2023.
