Petra Jane Tauscher has been appointed the new Festival Director of the International Youth Arts Festival, Kingston Upon Thames.
The Festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, is the UK’s largest international multi-arts festival for young and emerging artists with 200 events over 10 days.
Petra joins IYAF from Manchester’s international contemporary cross art venue, HOME, which opened in 2015. As the Dramaturg and Creative Producer from its early conception in 2013, she contributed to shaping and launching its vision. Prior to joining HOME Petra was Head of Drama Development at Atlantic Productions, a major international independent television and film company, and spent a number of years working in theatre and film across Europe and the UK, in organisations such as the Berlin Ensemble, the Barbican and the BBC as a creative producer and dramaturg.
Louise Coles, CEO of Creative Youth – the charity behind IYAF – said ‘We’re delighted to have someone of Petra’s calibre at the helm as IYAF enters its eleventh year. Petra’s considerable creative talent, experience and fresh approach makes her the perfect candidate to build on the Festival’s reputation as the place to see the very best young, creative talent.’
Petra Jane Tauscher said: ‘IYAF has achieved so much in just 10 years drawing audiences and artists with its buzzing, eclectic summer festival which crosses artforms and cultures. I am delighted to have the opportunity to build on that excellent work and continue to create a bold, diverse and engaging international programme, which celebrates and supports young and emerging artists responding to the world today.’
Robin Hutchinson, Chair of Creative Youth said, ‘We’re excited to welcome Petra as part of the team. We’re proud of what Creative Youth and IYAF has achieved over the last ten years and look forward to having someone of Petra’s vision and talent on board.’
The International Youth Arts Festival 2019 will run from 5 – 14 July 2019 at venues across Kingston-Upon-Thames