IETM Oulu Plenary Meeting 2026

Livestream Schedule

Monday 15 June 2026

IETM, in collaboration with Oulu2026 and City of Oulu, presents Can I bite the hand that feeds me?—Power and Responsibility in Arts Funding, 

Livestreaming at 22:45–00:15 (+1) AEST (Sydney) / 21:45–23:15 JST/KST (Toyko/Seoul) / 20:15–22:15 SGT (Singapore) / 15:45–17:15 EEST (Oulu, Finland) / 14:45–16:15 CEST (Brussels) / 13:45–15:15 BST (London) / 08:45–10:15 EDT (New York) / 05:45–07:15 PDT (Los Angeles).

Art and artists exist within networks of power, where funding is rarely neutral and often comes with compromise. Support from governments and private trusts can shape agendas and curb dissent, placing pressure on freedom of expression and democratic governance.

This opening panel discussion and Q&A confronts the power structures embedded in arts funding. It examines how these structures necessitate critical judgments, from navigating subtle pressures to resisting influence or refusing support outright, with implications for the work we make, the communities we build and the public spaces that sustain debate. 

Bringing together academics, researchers, and cultural leaders, we consider the ethical, practical, and political stakes at play.

Confirmed speakers:

• Ksenija Đurović, Bitef, Serbia
• Sepp Eckenhaussen, Institute of Network Cultures & Caradt, the Netherlands
• Maija Karasvaara, Kone Foundation, Finland

Moderator:

• Beáta Hock, GWZO, Germany/Hungary

Wednesday 17 June 2026

Live from Oulu, the famous IETM pitching session is back! 

Livestreaming at 18:30–20:00 (+1) AEST (Sydney) / 17:30–19:00 JST/KST (Tokyo/Seoul) / 16:30–18:00 SGT (Singapore) / 11:30–13:00 EEST (Oulu, Finland) / 10:30–12:00 CEST (Brussels) / 09:30–11:00 BST (London) / 04:30 - 06:00 EDT (New York) / 01:30–03:00 PDT (Los Angeles).

Returning again this year, this popular IETM format will showcase artists and practitioners selected via an open call, presenting their projects or ideas in a live pitching session and Q&A. It provides an opportunity for professionals working in the performing arts sector to present a project and to look for partners who may be interested in collaborating with them. Whether they are just starting out or aiming for international recognition, Pitchorama allows for the right connections for the right people and opportunities from within the IETM network.

Previous pitches have resulted in job opportunities, touring collaborations, funding efforts, and more.

If you’re a professional working in the sector who is looking to foster new collaborations, find new opportunities or identify potential connections—but are unable to join us in Oulu—then we encourage you to tune in live and discover the showcases from across the globe. 

Moderator:

• Cathie Boyd, Cryptic, United Kingdom

About IETM

IETM is one of the oldest and largest cultural networks, representing the voice of around 500 member organisations and freelancers actively engaged in all disciplines of the contemporary performing arts in over 60 countries worldwide. IETM exists to advocate the value of the arts and culture and to empower performing arts professionals through access to international connections, knowledge and a dynamic forum for exchange. Through international events, publications, advocacy actions, research, projects and more, IETM works to stimulate the quality, development and context of the contemporary performing arts, in all their diversity.

About HowlRound TV

HowlRound TV is a global, commons-based, peer-produced, open-access livestreaming and video archive project stewarded by the nonprofit HowlRound. HowlRound TV is a free and shared resource for live conversations and performances relevant to the world's performing arts and cultural fields. Its mission is to break geographic isolation, promote resource sharing, and develop our knowledge commons collectively. Anyone can participate in this community of peer organizations revolutionizing the flow of information, knowledge, and access in our field by becoming a producer and co-producing with us. Learn more by going to our contribute content page.