Ann Olaerts

Ann Olaerts studied language studies and theatre sciences, and has been active in the cultural field since 1985, in the arts practice itself as well as in the research and cultural policy field. Olaerts started her career in het arts centre Kaaitheater (Brussels) as assistant to the dramaturgy and communication, later on she worked as artistic coordinator of the Brussels based theatre company Dito’Dito. She was responsible for the international department of the Flemish Theatre Institute before she took over the direction in 1992. As cultural policy worker she worked as an adviser for the Flemish minister of culture (1999–2004) and later for the minister of education (2010–2012). During these years she was very much involved in the creation of the new arts law in Flanders. In June 2013 she was appointed as dean of the Theatre school Toneelacademie Maastricht, the Netherlands.

As of November 2013