Symposium 'Institutional Dramaturgies: Histories, Encounters, Disruptions'

For whom
Employees , Private individuals , Students
When
25-11-2026 08:30 to 27-11-2026 17:30
Where
Gents Universiteitsmuseum (GUM), Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent
Language
English
Organizer
Department of Art, Music and Theatre Sciences - Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
Contact
noahlena.vercauteren@ugent.be

International conference on the topic of institutional dramaturgy within art, theatre and performance studies, anthropology and sociology

Institutional Dramaturgies offers a forum for scholars and practitioners to consider the relationships between institution and artist, institution and audience, and institution and society. It explores urgent questions such as:

  • What is the relevance – historically and presently – of these institutions, and how do they maintain relevance?
  • Does public subsidization provide stability and artistic independence, or does it bolster existing hierarchies and breed abuses?
  • Can the institution be harnessed in democratic, decolonial ways, or does this responsibility fall to independent performance landscapes?
  • In times of global conflict and far-right politics, who do these institutions speak for?

With about 60 scholars from over 20 countries, this conference brings scholars from theatre and performance studies, cultural anthropology, and political science together in dialogue with artists to engage the urgent questions surrounding the status and place of cultural institutions.

Register online