HUIB SCHIPPERS, PhD
Creative solutions for arts and academia
With 30 years of hands-on innovative leadership experience in the arts and academia, I am passionate about helping people and organisations adapt swiftly and creatively to ever-changing environments.
I offer targeted trajectories to transform challenges and opportunities into concrete outputs —from events and collaborations to visionary projects, innovative policies and new institutional structures.
After an online intake, we’ll jointly pursue realistic and strategic solutions, which may include short or long-term consultancies, contract research, project management, support for fundraising, and/or targeted skill development for teams or individuals.
How I can help:
HUIB SCHIPPERS, PhD
Creative solutions for arts and academia
How I can help:
With 30 years of hands-on innovative leadership experience in the arts and academia, I specialize in helping people and organisations adapt swiftly and creatively to ever-changing environments.
I offer targeted trajectories to transform challenges and opportunities into concrete outputs — from events and collaborations to visionary projects, innovative policies and new institutional structures.
After an online intake, we’ll jointly pursue creative solutions, which may include short or long-term team coaching and consultancies, contract research, project management, and/or targeted skill development for cultural and academic professionals.
Project Management & Support
As a first response to changing needs or expectations, short to medium term projects are often feasible and useful. This allows the organisation to get in contact with new ideas, people and ways of working without disturbing existing structures and patterns. I love to assist in realizing such projects, from conceptual stage to realisation and evaluation. Each project takes an individual approach. After an intake conversation, a concrete plan is made to develop and execute the project, and roles in developing the project plan, securing partnerships and funding, building a strong team, communication and PR, execution and evaluation.
Examples: Cultural diversity in music education; Encounters; Smithsonian Year of Music;
Organisational Structure & Policy Development
Some challenges cannot be adequately addressed within existing policies and structures. Often, refining policies and organisational structures is the answer. This may involve securing additional income or shifting existing resources. I try to work with organisations to realise changes at this level with minimal negative effect on existing priorities and activities and in realistic timeframes. Usually, on-site consultation with all relevant stakeholders is the first step in such a process, which could stretch over 3-5 years.
Examples: Amsterdam World Music School; Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre (QCRC); World Music & Dance Centre.
Consultancy & Leadership
However competent the leadership of any organisation, there is often considerable benefit in being exposed to fresh outsider perspectives and shared experience from adjoining organisations and disciplines. Working with the leadership of organisations, I enjoy workshopping ideas and experiences from all over the world to ensure keeping an open mind on staying relevant to here and now. These activities usually take shape as (a series of) one day to one week in-person gatherings. Long-term leadership/interim management with specific goals is also possible.
Examples: Artistic Practice as Research; Australian Research Council; Smithsonian Folkways Recordings;
In addition, I provide high-level academic support in writing, research and research training for individuals, groups, and institutions:
Lectures, Workshops & Mentoring
For large groups, I offer online or (preferably) in-person lectures on a variety of topics, including mastering project development, successful research collaborations, applied work and business skills for academics, cultural diversity in organisations, decolonising curricula, and cultural sustainability. For each of these topics, we can also offer workshops for 4 – 12 participants, as well as individual mentoring.
Examples: CDIME; Sustainable Futures; The Meeting Room as Fieldwork Site
Writing, Promotion & Public Affairs
While visual images and movement dominate our environment, the written word still has considerable power in communicating ideas, influencing opinions, and calling people to action. Arts venues and festivals tend to use this in quite a refined way, but other arts organisations and universities often underrepresent themselves, reducing potential, engagement and impact of their activities. I offer help from communication around single projects and initiatives to comprehensive communication plans for the entire organisation.
Examples: ARC/The Australian; World Economic Forum; Events Calendar QCGU
Contract Research & Evaluation
While much research is directly or indirectly funded by organisations (particularly universities) as a matter of course, often the need arises for external viewpoints, or for complex -sometimes international- collaborations to address an issue of great importance. In addition to robust results, such initiatives often contribute greatly to team building, networking, and enhanced reputation. I offer a wealth of experience in conceiving, developing, supporting, funding, executing, publicizing and evaluating such projects.
Examples: Communities and Schools; Sustainable Futures for Music Cultures; EthnoUSA;