Curatorial Collaborations as Institutional Activism

Can institutional change be created through curatorial collaborations across organizations? Can such work be seen as a form of “soft activism,” setting an example within an industry context? And how is it experienced from the perspective of the curated artists?

These are the questions Roskilde Festival Group and Betty Nansen Theatre will explore together at GRASP 2025, by examining institutional and artistic development through their collaboration.

The two organizations have worked together since 2018 with the aim of co-creating artistic development. Through the format Iscenesat (“Staged”), they have created a framework for cross-artistic initiatives at the theatre, bringing together a music artist and a director within Betty’s scenographies.

On the panel are Eva Præstiin, CEO of Betty Nansen Theatre, and Signe Brink Wehl, Artistic Director of Roskilde Festival Group. In addition, musician Angående Mig and visual artist Esben Holk will share their experiences from the collaboration’s projects. Angående Mig performed a staged concert in the scenography for Les Misérables in April, and Esben Holk has created a sister work to Betty’s production of Romeo and Juliet, which will also be exhibited at GRASP. Finally, we will get to experience a glimpse of both projects live.

Participants

• Eva Præstiin, (she/her), DK, CEO, Betty Nansen Theatre
• Signe Brink Wehl, (she/her), DK, Artistic Director, Roskilde Festival Group
• Angående Mig, (she/her), DK, Musician
• Esben Holk, (they/them), DK, Visual Artist
• Moderator: Lise Benthin Præstgaard

Language: Danish

The session is presented by Roskilde Festival Group in collaboration with Betty Nansen Theatre.