The 2024 Culture Management Autumn School in Viljandi – five years of idea and experience sharing

On November 1, cultural managers from Estonia and abroad gathered at the Viljandi Traditional Music Centre for the Culture Management Autumn School. The event covered a range of topics, from art to theatre and music to film, addressing current issues in Estonia's cultural sector and international relations. This year's conference overview was written by Janetta Lukk, a Culture Management student and organising team member.

Culture Management Autumn School in Viljandi began five years ago, initiated by Jorma Sarv, Programme Director for the Culture Management curriculum at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. These annual gatherings, now a cherished tradition, bring together culture management students, alumni, and experienced professionals, creating a space for exchanging ideas and experiences.

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This year's conference opened with an international focus, featuring representatives from partner universities of the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, most belonging to Nordplus network ActinArt. Together with lecturer Kristina Kuznetsova-Bogdanovitš and Jorma Sarv from the Academy, they discussed education and international challenges. Mihkel Kübar, head of the Intsikurmu Music Festival and director of Tallinn City Theatre, provided insights into the lifecycle of festivals and the current state of theatres in Estonia. Nele Paves, Maria Arusoo, and Virgo Sillamaa explored the international dimensions of Estonian film, art, and music, observing that they often share similar challenges despite differences among these fields. The day concluded with a talk by Ando Kiviberg, beloved folk musician and organiser of the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, who highlighted the strengths and pressing challenges of current cultural policy with a touch of humour.

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