Joost de Kleine

"I almost finished my Master Arts and Culture Studies, which I followed after IBACS, when I visited the theatre director to tell him what I had learned and how his theatre could benefit from it. I presented how the social value of the theatre could be enlarged, how to optimize fundraising and what the function of theatre for the city could be. On that moment we agreed I would write the annual report."

The social function of theatre

"You can look at a theatre as the place where performances are being showed, but also a place that generates social value. It is not only about expressing art, but also providing people with a place where they can meet each other and where people have the opportunity to be transformed, challenged to think differently about certain matters. You can optimally fulfil this function when you combine economics with sociology, the exact thing you learn at IBACS. Economics in arts are now more important than ever, as cultural institutions are becoming less dependent on subsidies. However, at the same time it is not the main goal of a theatre to ensure profit maximisation, but to provide customers with a brilliant performance and by doing so creating a community."

Policy is not boring

"While studying you will write many essays: you will read pieces of others and apply this to your own ideas and to the assignments. Actually this is not that different from a strategic plan that provides you with the guidelines for the next couple of years: I read the government guidelines and relate that to what I have done and to the vision of our director. I really enjoyed the course Arts and Cultural Policy, policy is not boring. It gives you a perspective to answer the question: where will we be going the next four years? In the end, you ensure that beautiful performances find their audience.

I remember a course where we related films to philosophic theories. I don’t use this knowledge in my daily business as a director assistant, however these type of courses have contributed to where I am today. I am not lost during a conversation about the philosophical key driver of a theatre producer – this is not only pleasant, but also very important."

Broad focus

"I don’t believe there is any other programme that could have prepared me better for the labour market. The combination between economics, sociology and a little bit of philosophy contributes to a broad view on arts and culture. The cultural sector is hard for little, but I go to my job with a smile on my face every day. I continue to do new things, more thing and more enjoyable things. This is why I find my job super challenging."