The Australia Council is delighted to announce David Pledger will be the first Australian Development Manager to work with the European-based International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM).

Sandra Bender, Executive Director, Arts Development for the Australia Council for the Arts said this is a ground breaking partnership for Australian arts.  “David’s posting marks the first time the IETM has worked with an arts organisation outside of the EU. This new position will provide a sterling opportunity for Australian artists to promote their works internationally.”

As the European Union’s primary performing arts network, IETM is dedicated to developing quality works in a global environment by initiating and nurturing information exchange and networking between artists, presenters and producers.

David Pledger is a Melbourne based artistic director and founder of not yet its difficult theatre company, with extensive knowledge and experience of the Australian performing arts sector.

David said “I’d like to help Australians have conversations with like-minded artists, presenters and producers in a place that is not an arts market.  I am excited about taking an active role in IETM’s larger discussions which will support more international artists working and performing within the EU.”

David Pledger outlined three main areas of focus in his new role:

• encouraging different models of collaboration  that inspire more Australian artists to work internationally
• finding new ways of communicating global issues such as population flows and climate change
• developing debate and discussion around ways of cultural production.

David will maintain his role with nyid at a reduced capacity during his term as Development Manager within the IETM.

David’s first task in his new role is attending the IETM Autumn Plenary Meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania from October 8-11.  David is joined by five other Australian delegates: John Baylis, (Performing Lines), Michelle Kotevski (Urban Theatre Projects), Fiona Winning (Independent Producer & Facilitator), Lockie McDonald (Full Sky) and Kate Neylan (PVI collective).

IETM is a membership-based network with over 400 subscribing members from 45 countries.  These countries are primarily those within European Union, although other countries from around the world have begun to join in recent years.  The Australia Council is an Associate Member of the IETM and formally began to send delegations of Australian performing arts producers and artists to IETM meetings in 2008.

Membership of IETM is diverse and includes artists, professional arts organisations, festivals, presenters, producers and funding agencies.  All members are, in various ways, actively involved in the development and distribution of contemporary performing arts.