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Annual Report[abridged version] Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival Groningen 21-31 August 2014
Introduction
It remains remarkable – and sometimes difficult to explain to outsiders – how the various festival editions differ. Each festival is like a child with its own name, appearance, identity and inner strength. Not every child has it easy.
The weather – an extremely important factor for a public festival, one which partially takes place outdoors, with regard to the festival feeling – made things difficult for the first half of Noorderzon. It was cold and wet. The warmest moment of Eurosonic Noorderslag (in January 2015!) was warmer than the coldest moment of Noorderzon (4° Celsius in the evening!). So circumstances weren’t perfect in the way they nearly were for the 2013 edition. It was an edition that had a few issues to deal with. But it was like a child that ultimately blossomed into a strong and beautiful person with a wonderful soul.
Noorderzon 2014 was an astounding edition that had a lot to offer in a year that we had agreed that we would focus once again on content. On art! A-R-T! Returning to our raison d’être – making exciting art for adventurous audiences. And Noorderzon 2014 managed to do just that.
In August the papers at home and abroad were filled with wonderful reviews and glowing festival previews. NRC Handelsblad wrote on the front page of its Culture section: ‘Terrific theatre at Noorderzon: Masked children besiege the world in Next Day, one of the outstanding plays at the Noorderzon festival in Groningen.’ While every other article about Groningen these days is about earthquakes, positive attention like this should be warmly appreciated. And we certainly do appreciate it.
Despite the autumnal weather conditions, 135,000 people visited over the course of eleven days, purchasing over 50,000 tickets. These are wonderful figures that we have adventurous audiences to thank for. We managed to end the year with a modest positive result of EUR 1850. It is in years like these that we really notice just how deeply Noorderzon is ingrained in the DNA of many of our visitors.
We made a great many changes to the festival this year. The entire internal production structure was adapted, we built a new central kiosk and added two more, we introduced new and improved venues and stages, moved the Spiegeltent and displayed more art in the open air. Nearly all of the changes meant an improvement for visitors’ festival experience.
One improvement that we ourselves would enjoy was our move in December to new offices in pleasant, new and exciting surroundings. We moved to the former Prinsentheater on the Noorderbuitensingel on the edge of the Noorderplantsoen. There is office space there and stages and performance spaces that Noorderzon has always used and which are used throughout the entire year by the VRIJDAG organisation. It feels good to now be developing our future activities based in this place, where things are bubbling and cooking.
We would like to thank all our visitors, artists, friends, grant providers, funds, partners, suppliers, volunteers and staff for allowing us to produce this thought-provoking and wonderful edition.
Onwards to a beautiful 25th Noorderzon in 2015!
Bert Bruggeman – chair of the board Femke Eerland – general director Mark Yeoman – artistic director Artistic Noorderzon has an international main programme that distinguishes itself locally, nationally and internationally from the rest of the performing arts that are on offer. Qualitatively strong performances by makers from across the world are presented in Groningen to a very diverse audience. While many performing arts venues find it difficult to sell international acts to their audiences, Noorderzon offers them a fertile place to flourish. Adventurous visitors will take on anything. This allows us to programme the very cutting edge, which means that our careful selection strongly appeals to many professionals in the field. Noorderzon can count itself among the festivals which are closely monitored by the trendsetters in the international professional performing arts world.
In addition to the main programme, Noorderzon also has a wide range of other programmes. This can involve anything from the exciting international music programme – some acts performing on stages with free admission – to dozens of performances in shipping containers and a mini lterature festival. From a playing field full of things to do for children, including special children’s performances, to visual arts displayed across the festival grounds. A lot goes on under the Noorderzon banner.
Our mission for 2013-2016 Noorderzon is an annual eleven-day performing arts festival. With a distinctive and outstanding artistic profile based on programming the international and national cutting edge combined with an open welcome extended to visitors from every walk of life, Noorderzon appeals to an extremely wide and diverse audience, from professionals to novices.
People and their context focus of 2014 programme The 2014 programme focused on people in all their diversity and their relationship to their living environment. This was reflected in major performances and in smaller ones, where recognisable social issues were addressed, sometimes very subtly. The 24th festival edition was a strong one, packed with experimentation and interesting new types of performing arts, with many Dutch premieres of both international makers and ones from the northern Netherlands.
50 Groningen performers onstage It felt like Noorderzon was off to an early start in 2014. This had a lot to do with preparations forThe Record by the American theatre company 600 HIGHWAYMEN. Putting it on meant that 45 (and eventually even 50) Groningen actors had to be selected. Although they would perform together, they would only finally meet onstage at the Stadsschouwburg. All of the auditions, selection rounds and rehearsals had to take place prior to the premiere on August 27th. The call for actors went out in late April and the response was tremendous. More than 300 people volunteered to be involved in this project. Auditions took place in June and rehearsals began in the first week of August. Theatrical tension mounted steadily as the date this gigantic production would premiere drew nearer. The Record was a rousing artistic success, receiving a five-star review in the Theaterkrant, among other accolades.
During the entire process of bringing this production to the stage, we were extremely touched, as an organisation, by the impact that such a project has on the lives of the individual participants. The urgent need to participate in it was obvious across the board. You suddenly see and realise exactly how deeply such a festival enters into people’s lives. Mind you, this was just one of the many performances at Noorderzon.
EU – Culture Programme: Create to Connect – 2013 – September 2018 The Record by 600 HIGHWAYMEN was presented in the framework of the European network Create to Connect. Within this network, participants strive to develop new and sustainable ways of creating a connection, perhaps a lasting one, between local audiences and artists from home and abroad. The Record, of course, was an excellent example of this. Other projects we developed in the framework of Create to Connect were the scientific lectureDansende wetenschap (Dancing science) courtesy of Studium Generale, our programme bringing in-depth insight and background information, Achter de schermen met Joost Ramaer (Behind the scenes with Joost Ramaer), and two art projects (interactive campaign image and Waterstaat) carried out together with artists collective WERC. Create to Connect comprises the following partners Bunker (Ljubljana, Slovenia – project leader) | Artsadmin (London, Great Britain) | EGEAC/Teatro Maria Matos (Lisbon, Portugal) | AltArt (Cluj-Napoca, Romania) | Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival (Groningen, the Netherlands) | Theatre La Villette (Paris, France) | Santarcangelo del Teatri (Santarcangelo di Romagna, Italy) | Festival De Keuze (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) | Arts and Theatre Institute (Prague, Czech Republic) | Walking Theory (Belgrade, Serbia)
Fernando Rubio back in Groningen The Record was one of many special projects where Noorderzon played a major role as producer or coproducer. Another special project was When We Were Kids, the most recent production by Argentinian maker Fernando Rubio. He spent some time in Groningen in August to work on the premiere (our opening night) of the first part of a trilogy about childhood and years passing. Rubio had already visited Groningen earlier with Alles aan mijn zijde (Everything By My Side), which was also performed in June 2015 at the Holland Festival in Amsterdam.
EU – Culture Programme: NXTSTP (the 2nd generation) – 2012 – October 2017 Noorderzon was involved in many international coproductions in 2014. A few of these were produced in the framework of the European network NXTSTP, a collaboration between a number of prominent partners working on the ‘next step’ in the international circuit for promising European theatremakers.
In 2014 we presented no fewer than five productions in the framework of NXTSTP, three of which were also Noorderzon coproductions. These were the magnificentDementia by Kornél Mundruczó/Proton Theatre (Hungary), which received a five-star review from Dutch daily NRC Handelsblad, the storytelling installation Perhaps All the Dragons by BERLIN (Belgium) and the energetic dance performance Kinshasa Electric by Ula Sickle (Belgium/Congo). The other productions in the framework of NXTSTP were the minor masterpiece NOTALLWHOWANDERARELOST by Benjamin Verdonck (Belgium) and the absurdist Gorkiy Park 2 by Gunilla Heilborn (Sweden).
NXTSTP comprises the following partners Kunstenfestivaldesarts (Brussels, Belgium) - Project leader | Alkantara Festival (Lisbon, Portugal) | Steirischer Herbst (Graz, Austria) | Baltoscandal Festival (Rakvere, Estonia) | Dublin Theatre Festival (Dublin, Ireland) | Göteborg Dans & Theater Festival (Göteborg, Sweden) | Théâtre National de Bordeaux en Aquitaine (Bordeaux, France) and Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival (Groningen, the Netherlands)
Kid Koala and children onstage In 2014 Noorderzon was also involved in the bringing to the stage of yet more new international work. For instance, we cofinancedNufonia Must Fall (LIVE), a major project by the Canadian DJ Kid Koala. In 2003, Kid Koala published Nufonia Must Fall, a picture book about a little robot in love with a girl at the office. He decided to take this to the stage as a live puppet theatre performance. The puppeteers enacted the story in miniature stage sets onstage, with this projected onto a large screen. The soundtrack was played live by the Afiara Quartet and Kid Koala himself. It was directed by Oscar nominee K.K. Barrett, who rose to fame thanks to his collaborations with movie directors such as Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze.Nufonia Must Fall (LIVE) became the uncontested festival hit of Noorderzon 2014, allowing us to sell 400 tickets in 36 hours for the extra show that was put on.
Noorderzon was also involved in creating Next Day by Philippe Quesne and CAMPO (France/Belgium). This was the new episode in production house CAMPO’s series in which famous international directors are asked to develop a performance for adults together with children from Ghent. In previous years collaborations from this series with Gob Squad (Germany/GB) and Pol Heyvaert (Belgium) could also be seen at Noorderzon. More programme highlights Other programme highlights were the masterfully composed Cineastas by Argentinian Mariano Pensotti, the moving opening performance by American Sam Green with the ensemble yMusic (which also gave two memorable performances in the synagogue) and the spectacular show by Finnish circus troupe Race Horse Company. Then there were the remarkable personal stories of American Edgar Oliver, the theatrical lecture by Noorderzon regular Antoine Defoort (France) and the dirty, perverse show by CHRISTEENE (US), which all in their own very different ways managed to move audiences. One of the programme gems was the installation Eternal by American Daniel Fish, in which two phenomenal actors spent nearly two hours playing the final scene from the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in various ways.
Promising makers Every year Noorderzon introduces new, interesting – young – makers to the Netherlands, and sometimes to Europe as well. In 2014, Noorderzon successfully introduced the Japanese visual artist and performer Tetsuya Umeda and the South Korean theatremaker Geumhyung Jeong to the Netherlands. The young Chilean company Cuerpo Indisciplinado could be seen in the Noorderlicht gallery in a bizarre performance.
Mini tours – you make more headway together ... For years now, Noorderzon has been organising mini tours for international performing arts companies, together with the same partners. It is much more sustainable and interesting to bring artists over to Europe together than to do so on your own. Zürcher Theaterspektakel (Zurich) and Internationales Sommerfestival Kampnagel (Hamburg) are obvious partners in this regard, but we also collaborate with partners such as La Bâtie in Geneva and Tanz im August in Berlin. In 2014 performances we shared included those by Kid Koala (Canada), Mariano Pensotti (Argentina), Race Horse Company (Finland), Geumhyung Jeong (Berlin/South-Korea) and Tetsuya Umeda (Japan).
But sometimes it doesn’t work out ... Together with Zürcher Theaterspektakel (Switzerland), we almost managed to introduce an Iraqi ensemble with a wonderful show to this part of Europe. Theatremaker Anas Abdul Samad would have performed with his company Theater Impossible at both festivals, but because of the outbreak of war in Iraq it ultimately proved impossible to realise and the project had to be cancelled at the last moment.
Many international guests & Director’s Circle International An exciting international programme also attracts professionals from all over the globe. Some of them visit Noorderzon to be able to discuss their field informally in Groningen. The Director’s Circle International – a group of leading programmers from the United States complemented by professionals from across the world – were guests of the festival for the second time, allowing them to become acquainted with Noorderzon’s unique combination of cutting-edge performing arts festival and popular, major open-air celebration for a city and its surroundings. The rising numbers of international programmers visiting the festival also increases opportunities for the artists to present themselves.
Local work at Noorderzon Although the core programme at Noorderzon is primarily international, we also work together with many local institutions, companies – theatrical and otherwise – and artists. Irene Wiersma, Swinder, Stichting Peerd and Stranger Things Have Happened all presented new work at Noorderzon. Together with dance company Random Collision and the University of Groningen we presented the research performance Experiment B and Bambi/Noord Nederlands Toneel once again staged their touching Eleonora on location at a local nursing home, Zorgcentrum Ebbingepoort.
Music – innovation everywhere! This year we implemented many extensive improvements with regard to the Noorderzon music stages and venues. The Spiegeltent was moved to a quieter spot, which allowed the intimate concerts and performances taking place there to really flourish. As a result, there were very memorable performances by Sun Kil Moon (US) and Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (US). The Dok programme, intended to have a wider appeal, also had a strong programme, including such artists and bands as Jagwar Ma (Australia), Nick Waterhouse (US) and Magnus (Belgium). The Dutch acts Kuenta i Tambu and Broken Brass Ensemble managed to really get the park steaming with their dazzling shows. Literaturia Another part of the programme that certainly seems here to stay is Literaturia, a high-quality literature programme with a wide appeal within an international performing arts festival. Literaturia takes place in the Desdemona Tent and the Spiegeltent, but in the previous two years has seen a shipping container on the Leliesingel being added to the venues as well. This allows literature to be brought to the public in a manner accessible to all.
Rotor – a new name for the Speelweide This year the activities on the Speelweide playing field for our young guests, up till the age of about 12, were given a new name: Rotor. With Rotor we will increase the comprehensive nature and context of the children’s programme, which attracts over 6000 kids annually. This programme is largely the result of collaboration with our partners in the northern Netherlands.
Art in the open air Last year we made an extra effort towards creating substantial interventions in the Noorderplantsoen through art and design in the open air. We not only strived towards quality and playfulness in achieving this aim, but also on always working with talent from Groningen.
Financial aspects and lobbying During the 2013-2016 period, Noorderzon will be receiving structural support from the national Performing Arts Fund NL (Fonds Podiumkunsten), the City of Groningen and the province of Groningen. Their contributions form the structural financial basis allowing the festival to be organised.
Performing Arts Fund NL and Noorderzon Noorderzon is one of the four festivals supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL in the Netherlands in the category ‘festival groot’ (major festival); this entails a standard contribution of EUR 250,000, a minimum of 50% of generated income, at least 100 core performances and a festival lasting at least seven days. Although in principle the contribution was intended to be made for all four years, Noorderzon – like all other institutions – was required to submit a simplified application before 1 May 2014 for the years 2015 and 2016. This application was approved later that year and the contribution is ensured for the duration.
City of Groningen and Noorderzon In the second year of the 2013-2016 Policy Document on Culture period, a structural 10% grant reduction was implemented with regard to the contribution made by the City of Groningen. This decision was taken in May 2013. The reduction was implemented with regard to a great many institutions, with the exception of those with a grant lower than EUR 10,000, institutions with direct municipal duties and a number of vulnerable ones. As a result, the grant in the framework of the policy document Tegen de stroom in (Against the flow) was EUR 441,000 in 2014, which it will also be in 2015 and 2016.
Province of Groningen and Noorderzon In 2014, Noorderzon received a grant of EUR 109,000 (with negative growth) in the framework of the provincial policy document Het verhaal van Groningen (The story of Groningen). When this report is set to be published, the Provincial Council elections (18 March 2015) will have already been held. Of course the composition of the Provincial Council will be an important factor in determining the culture policy in coming years, since the new council will write the 2017-2020 policy document.
Noorderzon and the European Union In the last section, we already went into detail about the content of the projects in the framework of the networks supported by the European Union, NXTSTP (2012-2017) and Create to Connect (2013-2018). For Noorderzon, 2014 was the second year that it presented activities in the framework of NXTSTP and the first year for Create to Connect. Both projects involve a matching scheme. The European Union will never contribute over 50% of the cost. Noorderzon and funds, private and otherwise Since 2013, Noorderzon has been discussing a grant for the festival with the Amsterdam-based Ammodo Fund, leading to a three-year arrangement for 2014-2016. With this grant – also based on a 50% matching scheme – Ammodo wishes to contribute towards enabling Noorderzon’s participation in international productions and coproductions, allowing the festival profile to remain cutting edge and continue to push the boundaries. SNS REAAL Fonds (currently Fonds 21) also supported Noorderzon for a second time with a general grant for the festival. The Noorderzon literature programme received support from the Dutch Foundation for Literature (Nederlands Letterenfonds) and the Lila Fonds. These contributions were not made via Noorderzon, but via our literature partner Buro05.
Noorderzon and audiences, sponsors and business relations Noorderzon audiences are the main source of income of Noorderzon. This especially involves income from ticket sales, drink sales, merchandise and selling business arrangements. Noorderzon also generates income from leasing out (stall) space to entrepreneurs, sponsor deals and tailor-made business arrangements with various partners.
Despite the poor weather, visitors still continued to show up. However, because of the low temperatures, they did not stay as long. This led to a drop in visitor-generated income (in particular in the sales of food & drink) compared to the previous year.
For the second year running, Noorderzon served Jupiler beer. The sponsor contract with AB-InBev brewers closed in 2013 is for a four-year period (2013-2016). In addition, Noorderzon has partner agreements, including with Rabobank Stad en Midden Groningen, Makro wholesaler’s, internet company Iwink and a media partnership with daily newspaper Dagblad van het Noorden.
Noorderzon also has dozens of other much-appreciated partners and suppliers throughout its many years, Noorderzon has been building goodwill and strong relationships, allowing the festival to receive substantial benefits in the form of discounts on rentals and purchases. This is a major bonus in an era when sponsoring in cash is on the decline. These crucial discounts are not capitalised in the annual financial report, although they do represent a major value and significant financial basis to us.
The percentage of Noorderzon income generated from non-public funds in 2014 was 59%. This was calculated by dividing the total non-public funds by the total income.
Result and general reserve The 2014 financial year closed with a positive result of EUR 1850. The board decided to add this positive result of EUR 1850 to the general reserve. On 1 January 2015, the general reserve comprised EUR 206,723 and is real disposable income. The board has as guideline that the intended general reserve should be roughly 10% of standard operating costs. The three supporting levels of government do not have strict guidelines regarding the general reserve.
As of 1 January 2015, the total net assets, that is, the general reserve and the earmarked reserve, were EUR 224,994. In the current light, the solvency (net assets divided by loan capital) and liquidity (current assets set off against debt) ratio is fine. During and shortly after the festival, when demands on funds are higher than normal, Noorderzon’s liquidity is sufficient to meet all obligations. Marketing, public and society An important aspect of the festival’s appealing to a wide audience is simply that everyone is welcome. From young to old, everyone will find something to enjoy in the programme. We offer a kind of Noorderzon curriculum. For years we have been presenting many activities for the very youngest visitors, while there is plenty to do for all other youth with many free activities in the Noorderplantsoen (of course they can visit the paid performances too). You notice that many Noorderzon visitors have grown up with the festival and that the trust you build as a result translates into an adventurous audience. Visitors find Noorderzon a safe place to experiment, where they can see things they ordinarily wouldn’t.
On average, Noorderzon fills 85% of seats in the international main programme. Makers who are often unknown in the Netherlands are presented to large numbers of trained and untrained viewers. This makes Noorderzon unique. Earlier, we mentioned the Director’s Circle International – it’s not for nothing that they choose to drop in every year.
Service and providing background For some years now, the Noorderzon marketing campaign has largely focused on providing visitors service and background information. Ensuring that the right visitors have enough information and are encouraged to visit performances they might enjoy. In addition, we try to tempt potential audience members among the park visitors to take a chance on a show. Not everyone visiting the park also purchases a ticket to a performance, although 80% of them do have a cultural experience at Noorderzon (according to the 2013 public survey). Our aim is, as always, to continue to appeal to a wide audience with a same sort of campaign that convinces people that there is something in the wide-ranging Noorderzon programme for them.
We do so by attempting to provide as many tailor-made marketing solutions as possible, alongside the usual (analogue and digital) communication means appearing on a wider scale, such as our programme booklet (25,000 copies), preview booklet (3500 copies), website (1.1 million pageviews in 2014), the Noorderzon app (3589 users), ads (together with daily newspaper Dagblad van het Noorden) and various poster campaigns.
The tailor-made marketing is done in roughly two different ways. In the first place, we provide background to each of the main programme shows, and in the second place, we provide visitors with various options to receive personal advice from us on choosing what to see.
Mark Talks & interviews The background provided to each show has various facets. Noorderzon’s main aim is to try to explain why it is important to have a group from Brazil or South Korea performing in Groningen. Why are the makers interesting? Why have this show in particular? We provide answers to these questions in various places. In the first place, we introduced the Mark Talks a few years ago. These are short video clips (on the website) where artistic director Mark Yeoman explains why a particular show has been chosen. In addition, we work with writer Robbert van Heuven, who works as a theatre journalist for such publications as the daily newspaper Trouw and the Theatermaker. We asked him to interview makers and to provide more background information in writing, explaining what makes an individual or group interesting.
Achter de schermen met Joost Ramaer (Behind the scenes with Joost Ramaer) We continue to provide background at the festival itself. To this end, we work with freelance journalist Joost Ramaer (who writes for such publications as the daily newspaper NRC and the weekly magazine Groene Amsterdammer). Every day, Joost speaks with international makers from the Noorderzon programme. He does so at special locations (at the pond side, at a picnic), so the audience members who have requested to participate can easily join in. This often results in wonderful, frank conversations that cover so much more than just the performance.
Social media Noorderzon is an avid user of Facebook and Twitter throughout the year. When this was being written, Noorderzon had over 18,000 likes on Facebook and nearly 9000 followers on Twitter. Sustainability and Green Key We consider Noorderzon to be a high-quality festival, not only with regard to our festival programme, but especially also with regard to everything else concerned in putting on a festival. For years now, sustainability has played an important part in the festival and its organisation. This relates to sustainability in all its guises. It has to do with ‘greening’ the festival through policies aimed at reduction of costs and use of resources and greener production methods. Raising consciousness among visitors is an important aspect of this. Every year we try to tell our visitors as much as we can about what we are doing about sustainability, hoping that people will remember. In 2014, for the fifth year running, we were once again awarded Green Key sustainability quality mark (the gold-level for the first time!).
Pivotal role in society Sustainability means a great deal more for Noorderzon, however. It also involves building sustainable relationships and playing a pivotal role in society. Noorderzon really manages to do so, and to do so throughout the year. We are invited for interviews, debates and meetings on all sorts of social issues. We engage in discussions on the future and liveability of the city, on volunteer work policies, on education and on the job market.
Literally open to all We also work with various organisations to ensure that our festival is literally open to all, whatever their state of health or physical condition. This year we have again managed to improve accessibility for people with an impairment (together with Festival 5D in Amsterdam) and have improved our communication about this. In 2014 we again collaborated with the Clubhuis voor Doven (Clubhouse for the Deaf) in Groningen in recommending particular performances to club members and other deaf and hearing impaired persons.
Organisation Although over 1000 people are involved in working on making the festival possible, the core organisation is small, flexible and competent. The central team (4 FTE) comprises a general director, artistic director, programme coordinator, office manager and administrative staff member.
To organise the festival, Noorderzon thus has a management team of five people coordinating the entire organisation together. The core team further comprises about twenty people who all have their own duties along the festival timeline. However, the various positions do resemble one another in that throughout the year everyone is involved in the organisation of Noorderzon to a certain extent. We feel that remaining involved throughout the year does not cost extra time but cuts back on time lost in handing over duties. And of course it is fun to see each other throughout the year, because it is a great group. This year we even had a team participating in VERA’s annual bowling competition!
Centre In the northern Netherlands, Noorderzon is a centre in a network of professionals. Many young talents and experienced festival hands are involved in Noorderzon in a flexible capacity. People are given the opportunity to develop themselves within the festival context, and it has become abundantly clear that Noorderzon can act as a launchpad for talent. In August you can really make your mark, gaining the eye of many other enterprises and cultural institutions too.
On the other hand, Noorderzon also profits from and takes on board the experience that all these professionals have, who together are involved in nearly the entire cultural field in the northern Netherlands, and far beyond as well. This input contributes – as does the core team’s drive – to Noorderzon always continuing to develop further. ‘Educate yourself’ remains our staff motto!
Placements and learning environment Noorderzon also does its utmost to actively share its knowledge and to train people. Every year we give lectures and classes at schools, speak with many professionals, young and old, who would like some advice, and of course we invite a number of people every year to experience the festival organisation. Over 800 volunteers What words can we use to explain this? Explain just how important the work is that over 800 people do free of charge for Noorderzon, putting in some 30,000 hours together. We have been putting up our festival village for years together with all these wonderful individuals. Everyone contributes their own experience and expertise, each with their own sense of humour and team spirit. We could never do without these faithful heroes. And luckily, these selfsame heroes – given their tremendous commitment – cannot do without the festival they have been helping to put on, next year for the 25th time. Noorderzon is an important part of the lives of many.
In 2010 we began a feedback group. It is a bit like an advisory board with volunteers from every part of the organisation. Four times a year, we meet to evaluate volunteer policy and outline new policies. There is even a meeting during the festival itself, allowing us to correct matters on the go.
The board Noorderzon has a board of five that delegates tasks to the management ofStichting Noorderzon Groningen (Noorderzon Groningen Foundation). The foundation follows the culture sector governance code as outlined in Goed bestuur en toezicht in de cultuursector: de 9 principes. (Good governance in the culture sector: the nine principles). This booklet and the accompanying guidelines on good governance were an initiative of Stichting Kunst & Zaken (Arts & Enterprise Foundation). The board/management model outlined in this booklet is the one we use at Noorderzon, and its governance principles and guidelines are followed.
performing arts festival groningen 21-31 aug 2014