BEIRUT - The Lebanese Export Office for Performing Arts (LEOPArts), the official Agency accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture for the promotion and expansion of Lebanese artists around the world, is organising a free training programme for Lebanese cultural leaders and managers in November 2008. This will be the first step towards the creation of a network of professional arts managers, also able to sustain the diversified and talented International Lebanese artistic scene. Due to a lack of public and private financial resources, and partly because arts management can merely be considered as a full time job in various countries, most Lebanese artists, including famous ones, manage their own career or are helped by "self-made" agents/managers/producers.

The training programme is co-financed by the European Union and co-organised by the Mission Culturelle Française, the Goethe Institut and the British Council. It will be shaped in thematic sessions involving 4 of the most important creators, producers and major venue managers in Europe:

- "Contemporary choreography, dance management and dance festivals in Europe" (From 3 to 6 Nov 2008) by Sigrid Gareis, Artistic Director of Tanzquartier Wien (Austria) and Funder of the famous dance house network IDEE .

- "Music networks and festivals" (From 10 to 13 Nov 2008) by Marie José Justamond, Head of the French Music festival "Suds à Arles" and Vice-President of the world music network "Zone Franche".

- "Theatre cooperation in the Mediterranean zone and theatre venues" (From 24 to 27 Nov 2008) by Jean Louis Benoit and his theatre administrator Alexandre Madelin, Head of French major theatre "La Criée" in Marseille and a famous stage Director.

- "Music Production and Management" (From 1 to 3 Dec 2008) by Jason Walsh, Director of Musicians Incorporated, a British music producer, leader in the World Music market in the UK.

These training sessions are preferably addressed to candidates who have experience in cultural management, or who have a short term project in mind, in order to benefit from the intensive knowledge exchange with these 4 experts in cultural management in Europe.

Applications forms are available at: info.leoparts@gmail.com / 01 633 813

For useful information: PR: md.leoparts@gmail.com (Maxime Duda, Head of Leoparts) / 70 956 420