The collaboration within the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme between Spain and Germany stemmed from the meeting between the consolidated experience in cultural management of an artistic director and the innovative passion of a young choreographer focused on the intersection of art and nature.
Isabel Ferreira: Leadership and Interdisciplinary Curatorship in Spain
In Pamplona, Spain, Isabel Ferreira is a prominent figure in the international cultural scene, with over two decades of experience as a Cultural Manager, Curator, and Artistic Director.
Her professional background is extensive and diverse. Isabel has directed performing arts festivals such as the DNA Festival in Navarre (2017–2018) and the ComPosições Políticas Festival in Rio de Janeiro (2010–2016). Since 2021, she has also coordinated the international development area of the Dansa València Festival/Plataforma de Danza Española.
She is the founder of LABEA – Laboratory of Art, Science, and Nature, and serves as the Artistic Director of the Arbola Festival, a live arts festival dedicated to a world in transition. Her academic background includes a degree in Art History and a Master’s in Visual Culture, as well as specific training in Culture and Territory and in ethical and ecological sustainability.
Isabel is taking part in the EYE programme with the aim of sharing her experience and integrating new ideas and innovative communication strategies to expand the reach and impact of her projects.
The New Entrepreneur, Johann Eggebrecht, is a Berlin-based dancer and performance artist whose transdisciplinary practice bridges politics, somatic inquiry, and choreography. Currently studying at HZT Berlin, he works with improvisation, body-based healing methods, and a dedicated Vipassana meditation practice.
Johann’s work examines attention as a perceptual and political force, exploring how embodied awareness shapes identity, agency, and social experience. Moving between critical theory and felt sensation, he creates performances that invite audiences into spaces of reflection, intimacy, and transformation—where movement becomes a site of responsiveness, resonance, and world-making.Although his education has provided him with a solid creative foundation, Johann is eager to gain practical experience in the entrepreneurial aspects of an artistic career, such as project development, financial planning, networking and marketing. His goal is to learn practical strategies to make his artistic practice sustainable in a global and competitive environment
The Meeting Point: Preparing the Arbola Festival
The exchange was designed to be mutually beneficial, providing Johann with the entrepreneurial skills he needed and giving Isabel essential creative and digital support for her festival.Johann contributed by bringing added value in:
• Documentation and Social Media Support: He managed the festival’s social media presence, creating posts and daily updates on the residency and preparations, using photography and video for promotional purposes.
• Artist Coordination: He acted as a point of contact between the resident artists, facilitating communication and ensuring a welcoming and well-managed environment.
• Logistical and Promotional Support: He assisted in the preparation of promotional materials and supported Isabel in structuring the logistics for the June event.
Isabel provided mentorship in:
• Management and Budgeting: She offered a “crash course” in project management and budget-building, giving the NE insights into the logistical and creative management of a cultural festival.
• International Networking: She introduced Johann to the local and international artistic network. For example, Johann travelled with Isabel to the Dansa València Festival to assist with documentation and networking with choreographers and artists.
• Professional Development: She helped Johann reflect on his previous projects, define effective artistic strategies, and write a solid Artistic Curriculum Vitae.
Mutual Benefits and Future Perspectives
The value of this exchange was clearly bidirectional.
Isabel obtained high-quality documentation of the residency processes and a significant strengthening of the festival’s social media presence, crucial elements for outreach. Moreover, the exchange opened new perspectives for her through the expansion of her network towards Berlin’s dance arts scene.
Johann Eggebrecht gained crucial practical experience in festival organisation and artist support, essential for his freelance career. He achieved significant growth in his artistic network and valuable insights into the sustainable development of creative projects.
The entire plan aimed to foster Johann’s professional development as a choreographer, while providing Isabel with essential support in the preparation of the Arbola Festival and inspiration drawn from Johann’s background in post-modern dance studies.
