Training: Finding Direction in Your Work

Many cultural professionals find that while they are strong in terms of content, they are looking for guidance regarding their role, decisions, and collaboration. “Direction in Your Work” is a short, intensive training program consisting of four half-days for cultural professionals who want to take the next step in their personal, professional, and organizational development. Whether you work as a creator, producer, project manager, marketer, or emerging business leader, this training course gives you the opportunity to consciously take the time to reflect on your role, your professional conduct, and the way you collaborate and provide direction—both for yourself and within your organization or project.

Would you like to take a moment to reflect on your professional development and take a meaningful next step in the cultural sector? Then this training is for you!

For whom

For cultural professionals (freelancers or employees) who want to further their personal, professional, and organizational development. This includes creators, producers, project managers, marketers, program developers, and business leaders in the Arnhem or Nijmegen region.

After training

• Communicate more clearly and with greater confidence when working with others.
• You’ll have a clearer understanding of your role and responsibilities.
• Are you more mindful of your planning and priorities?
• Make more informed decisions about projects and partnerships.
• Identify and address obstacles in your work using practical tools.

Program

Together with colleagues and an experienced trainer, you’ll work on your professional development, drawing from your own practice. You’ll learn how to add value in your work and gain new insights and practical tools to apply these to your daily practice. You’ll use your own practice as a starting point: bring current questions, collaborations, and dilemmas into the training. Through exercises, reflection, and exchange with other professionals, you’ll apply these insights directly to your daily work.

After you register, you’ll receive an intake form. We use this to identify participants’ learning goals so we can tailor the program as effectively as possible and offer a customized training experience.

About the trainer

Ilva van Elk is a dedicated, versatile, and ambitious professional with an eye for both people and results. With her background in political science and her experience as an innovation trainer, coach, and creative thinking trainer, she guides professionals working in complex, dynamic environments through social and strategic issues. Because Ilva works extensively within the cultural sector, she is well-acquainted with the participants’ specific work context and understands their challenges. Thanks to her extensive experience with a wide range of stakeholders and her empathetic approach, Ilva is ideally suited to support you in your personal and professional development during this training.

Practical

Dates: September 30 , October 14, and November 4, plus a peer review session on December 9, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (December 9 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Cost: €425 , including VAT, per person. Is the cost a barrier? You may be able to apply for (partial) funding through Werktuig PPO. Read more here.
Location: Alternating between Arnhem and Nijmegen
Deadline: Register by September 14, 2026

Sign up and more information

Cultuur Academy ’s programs not only Cultuur Academy in-depth exploration of specific fields of expertise, but also valuable opportunities to connect with other cultural professionals from the Arnhem-Nijmegen region. The mutual exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as the chance to expand your network within the sector, are valuable benefits of participating in our programs. Do you have questions or would you like additional information? Please contact Moniek Klabbers. Do you have practical questions about registration or the location, for example? Please contact us at info@cultuuracademy.nl.

By registering for one of our programs, you agree to our terms and conditions.