Festivals show us things we haven’t seen before: They are an escape from the daily rut, testing grounds for experiments, time-limited bursts of creativity. At first glance, they seem to be the antithesis of bureaucracy. But behind each festival is an organization that is nearly as complex as any public agency. So what can the latter learn from the former in order to cultivate some of that same energy?
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Learning from… Festivals
Justyna Jochym, Christie Anthoney, Robert Piaskowski
Justyna Jochym believes that festivals reflect the best and most optimistic version of a place. As CEO of Festivals Adelaide, the strategic umbrella organisation that exists to advance a sustainable, enterprising, and collaborative international festival city through the coalition and collective action of Adelaide’s leading cultural festivals, Justyna works to enhance the public benefits of the sector and facilitate future growth. Prior to this role, she worked as the Head of International Cooperation and Development at the Krakow Festival Office (Poland), where she managed global partnerships and programs, among them the Krakow UNESCO Creative City designation. From 2014 – 2018, Justyna was the chair of 28 UNESCO Cities of Literature and a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Steering Committee. She has acted as the coordinator of the Festival Cities Network (Adelaide, Edinburgh, Krakow, Montreal, and Singapore) since 2017. Justyna also serves on several boards and executive committees, including The Mill, Writers SA, Arts Industry Council of South Australia and the United Nations Association of Australia, SA Division.
Christie is an experienced arts leader who works in the festivals, local government, education and arts sector. Committed to the ‘profit for purpose’ sector, she has experience in senior management, artistic direction, public policy development, event delivery and strategic solutions. She has a strong commitment to social outcomes that progress creativity, support artists and generate wealth.
Through working in Scotland, Canada and across Australia, with experienced professionals in the arts and cultural sector, Christie has built a vast network that she draws on for inspiration and advancement.
Christie is currently the Associate Director of Community & Culture for the City of Adelaide, coming to local government after a career in the festival and arts sector. Her honed skill of balancing agendas, budgets, projects and politics are entirely relevant for the government sector.
Christie also lectures in Cultural Policy at Flinders University and is co-owner of a neighbourhood Café in Alberton, Port Adelaide.
Robert Piaskowski, cultural manager and animator, pedagogue, musician. Currently the Plenipotentiary of the Mayor of the City of Krakow for culture. Program Director of KBF (Krakow Festival Office) in 2007-19. He was responsible for the festival policy of the most important international events in Krakow, including Misteria Paschalia, Opera Rara Sacrum Profanum, ICE Classic series Conrad Festival and Miłosz Festival. He is the artistic director and co-founder of FMF – Krakow Film Music Festival. He was responsible for the film policy of Krakow, overseeing the activities of the Krakow Film Commission, as well as for the creation and implementation of the Krakow UNESCO City of Literature programme.
He represents Krakow in relations with international organizations from the field of culture, heritage and creative industries. He lectures at national universities, including the Jagiellonian University and AGH University of Science and Technology.ac