Filarmed, to learn with the best

María Catalina Prieto Vásquez, executive director of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, has been selected as a fellow of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management (United States), one of the most important programs for executives and directors of the arts sector in the world. Along with five other professionals from the United States, Canada and Singapore, chosen from more than 300 from around the world, you will receive, for three years, mentoring from world leaders in cultural management.

“As a representative of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, at DeVos Institute, I will have the opportunity to lead a '360-degree' learning to strengthen Filarmed's management model, which will aim at its sustainability and permanence over time, and will also serve as model to follow not only in the city but in Colombia,” explains María Catalina.

Prieto has worked for more than 15 years in the development of symphonic music and the implementation of a sustainable management model for various public and private organizations such as the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, the United States Embassy and the International Center for Choral Music , among other.

The fellowship at the DeVos Institute, in Washington, focuses on topics such as cultural marketing, strategic planning, governance, and efficient resource procurement to strengthen the management of cultural organizations.

Sustainability for orchestras in Colombia

In the country, the financing and management of cultural entities is very difficult, since the fund to leverage culture is finite. Being able to develop a sustainable and viable model for private orchestras, as implemented by most in the United States, will be beneficial for Colombian musicians who do not have opportunities to develop their profession.

In Colombia we have around 43 music undergraduates and many students graduate every semester, but job offers are limited because we only have 7 recognized orchestras. “If we manage to develop a sustainable model, which can be replicated among existing orchestras and those that will emerge in the future, we will be able to guarantee the strengthening of a safe and solvent musical movement in Colombia. There is hope,” says María Catalina.

DeVos Institute, light for culture

The program, which was born inside the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is led by two of the greatest arts administrators in the world: Michael M. Kaiser and Brett Egan, and with whom María Catalina will have the privilege of working during three consecutive years. It is currently taking place in Washington, under the auspices of the University of Maryland.

Michael M. Kaiser is known as “The Turnaround King” for his work in numerous institutions, such as the Royal Opera House in London, the American Ballet Theater or the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, among others. others. Kaiser has earned international prestige for his experience in cultural management and for making many cultural organizations in the United States viable and sustainable over time.

The training

More than 300 people from all corners of the world register to be part of this program of high-potential executives from organizations with a great impact in their regions.

“Starting in 2022, there will be three years of training, exchanges and connections with the most important artistic organizations in the United States. On this occasion, I will have the opportunity to be trained together with five cultural leaders from Singapore, Canada and the United States.”

In addition to María Catalina, the group of six fellows is made up of Alexis Spieldenner, co-founder and executive director of Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts (Canada); Emmanuel Paul Ng, Partnerships and Development Manager, Singapore Repertory Theater (Singapore); Jorge Silva, executive director of The Neo-Futurists (United States); Scott Watson, Director of Cultural Affairs, City of Charleston, Office of Cultural Affairs (United States) and Sydnie Liggett, Executive Director of AIM by Kyle Abraham (United States).

“It fills me with pride to open this door to the world for Filarmed. For me it represents the most important recognition of the work I have done for more than 15 years.” María Catalina Prieto, executive director

Soon

María Catalina Prieto is a musician, master in business administration and cultural institutions, specialist in CSR and cultural policies with extensive experience in the symphonic sector and international cooperation. He has worked in different public and private organizations where he has managed to design and implement countless programs and projects aimed at the democratization of symphonic music and musical training in proximity conditions. In recent years it has been dedicated to promoting the transformation of the management model of cultural organizations so that they can be relevant and sustainable over time.