Nordic Ambitions

About Nordic Ambitions

Nordic Ambitions is a mentorship program for theatre leaders in the Nordic region, initiated by Nordisk Teaterlederråd in collaboration with The Nordic Culture Fund. The program is coordinated by Nordisk Teaterlederråd as a partner project between the Nordic employers’ associations for the performing arts.

While the performing arts industry in the Nordic countries shares a similar structure, there is still much to learn from one another. Nordic Ambitions sees great potential in a leadership development approach rooted in a Nordic perspective and tailored specifically to the theatre sector.

Specifically, the program is designed for leaders with artistic responsibility currently employed at a member theatre within the Nordisk Teaterlederråd (NTLR) network or affiliated with The National Theatre in Greenland or Faroe Island. Participants may be new to their roles or bring years of experience – what matters most is their motivation to grow, develop their leadership skills, and build strong networks with Nordic peers.

The core idea behind Nordic Ambitions is to connect mentors and mentees, fostering the exchange of experience and support from established professionals to emerging leaders. Participants are selected through an open call and paired across different Nordic countries to encourage cross-border learning and collaboration.

The program's official language is English, although all participants are encouraged to network also in their local languages.

Feedback from participants in the 2024-2025 program

The Nordic Ambitions program is unique, and in my opinion the best leader training. To be part of a group of theatre leaders from all the Nordic countries, exchanging and sharing experience and knowledge across the borders, gives a unique insight. It has been of immense value and inspiration, and has already been implemented in my work as a leader."

- Mentee, Kari Ramnefjell, Unge Viken, Norway

Participating in the Nordic Ambitions program is one the best things I've given to myself throughout my 12 years as a theatre director. Sharing thougts, strategies and reflections on complex matters makes me feel part of a trusting community with equal colleagues.

- Mentee, Jakob Engmann, BaggårdTeatret, Denmark

The Nordic Culture Fund – Supporting Nordic initiatives

The Nordic Culture Fund, established in 1966, supports cultural cooperation between the Nordic countries and beyond. We believe in people connecting – even more so now that recent major global and social events are threatening to distance us from one another. We believe that art and culture are without borders and that in times of upheaval, when nations close in upon themselves, art can act as a focal point connecting us and bridging gaps.

Nordic Ambitions is shaping the future of the performing arts by connecting and supporting theatre professionals. The program creates a platform for meaningful networks and collaboration across the Nordic region. We are delighted to support the Nordic Ambitions initiative. After all, it is perfectly aligned with our own objectives. We look forward to a year of encounters, exchanges and experiences!

Søren Merrild Staun

Deputy Director, The Nordic Culture Fund

Mentorship - to connect and inspire

Nordiskt Teaterledarråd launched the mentorship program Nordic Ambitions to build leadership and professional networks for Nordic theatre. We believe that good mentorship provides support for the demanding managerial tasks at hand. We want to enable mutual learning and shared experiences that all participants can benefit from in their work.

By forming mentor pairs from different countries, we also want to create new cross-border contacts. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about working conditions, organizational culture and sector structures in another Nordic country. It may also be liberating to share difficult professional issues with peers from a geographically distant region. It is our hope that Nordic Ambitions will help strengthen both the personal leadership of participants as well as encourage future Nordic cooperation between theatre organizations.

Nordisk Teaterlederråd (NTLR)

Partners

Dansk Teater / Norsk teater- og orkesterforening / Svensk Scenkonst / Suomen Teatterit – Finlands Teatrar (STEFI) / The National Theatre Iceland / The Nordic Culture Fund