About OFF TRACK
OFF TRACK was created in the autumn of 2014 when Aarhus 2017 saw the drive, commitment, and high level of activity among grassroots operators, artists and creators in the cultural environment of the Central Denmark Region. Grassroots societies dare to experiment and aim to go beyond the limits.
They are aware of the surrounding world and act instinctively on new trends. With OFF TRACK, Aarhus 2017 has built on this potential to support emerging cultural entrepreneurs as they rethink, break barriers and make themselves heard. Aarhus 2017 has chosen 8 experienced operators to support, mentor, and nurture these young talents. The 8 operators are passionate about working from the ground up to develop the cultural milieu in the region.
OFF TRACK is a network that seeks to open doors and creates new connections – internally among the creative grassroots and externally to established institutions, private businesses, and the political scene. A place for the grassroots to seek support and advice from experienced project managers. A series of small micro projects and larger projects that involve the grassroots have been supported and developed.
Experienced cultural project manager and consultant, Karen Quist Rørsted, is currently interim director at Frontrunners, and leads OFF TRACK Creative Businesses. Frontrunners is a hub for cultural entrepreneurs and start-ups, where young project makers develop and run projects and events in Aarhus.
Contact: Karen Quist Rørsted, karen@frontloberne.dk
Music, Sound and Poetry – PROMUS
With experience of and a passion for the development of the music environment in Aarhus, Jesper Mardahl oversees music, sound, and poetry as head of Promus. The vision behind Promus is to gather knowledge, innovation, network and grassroots efforts within the music milieu in Aarhus under one roof. The goal is to strengthen the different creators and prepare them for the big challenges facing the music industry.
Contact: Jesper Mardahl, jesper@promus.dk, +45 2021 2019
Gastronomy – SMAG
Innovative chef and restaurateur, Jakob Vinkler, leads the food innovators at Smag, a restaurant situated in an old house and garden in Ebeltoft. Jakob Vinkler started the concept, Food and Taste of Smag in 2004. The team behind Smag are a colourful group of chefs, carpenters, dancers, musicians, artists and bio-dynamic farmers, all coming together to reinvent gastronomy.
Contact: Jakob Vinkler, smag@smagmad.dk, +45 3514 1114
Sport and Street Culture – DGI
As a project manager devoted to alternative sports environments, Nicolaj Ruby arranges Street Sports on behalf of DGI Underground, part of the DGI organisation. The purpose of DGI Underground is to bring sport to the people and encourage participation by supporting and building the culture of street sports, recognising the strong communities, initiatives and personal commitments that harness play and sport at street level.
Contact: Nicolaj Ruby, nicolaj.ruby@dgi.dk, +45 4012 7755
Architecture and Spaces – INSTITUT FOR (X) / BUREAU DETOURS
Creative entrepreneur and designer, Ari Marteinsson, oversees the Architecture and Urban Space cluster as part of Institut for (X) / Bureau Detours, a culture, business and education platform. It is run as an independent and not-forprofit cultural association arising from citizen initiatives to provide a dynamic organisation and laboratory for urban experiments, where initiatives evolve organically to experiment with structures and spaces.
Contact:
Mads Peter Laursen, laursen.inc@gmail.com, +45 3023 4729
Ari Marteinsson, a@lodret.com
Film/Animation/Cross Media – THE ANIMATION WORKSHOP
Based at the creative centre for animation, Jan Ulrik Saksø Juhl heads up film/animation/cross media – The Animation Workshop/ Visuel HF. The Animation Workshop is an international centre of knowledge and development for animation and related professions and businesses. The Animation Workshop - a part of VIA University College - is always defined by the talent of the people studying and working within its walls. Talent and craft are the absolute focus.
Contact: Jan Ulrik Saksø Juhl, jusj@via.dk, +45 8755 4948
Performing Arts, Theatre and Dance – PERFORMING ARTS PLATFORM
As Head of Performing Arts Platform in Aarhus, and passionate about the development of the performing arts environment, Kasper Egelund leads performing arts for OFF TRACK. The platform gathers and connects the performing arts players in and around Aarhus, and supports local initiatives by sharing resources, skills and knowledge. The platform focuses on new and innovative collaborations both within the performing arts world and in connection to their cultural milieus.
Contact:
Ane Kirk Uhrenholt, ane@theplatform.dk, +45 4076 9858
Kasper Egelund, kasper@theplatform.dk, +45 4034 4008
Visual Arts/Street Art – CULTURE WORKS
Creative entrepreneur, Adrian Fey, oversees multi platform cultural works. Culture Works is based on the idea and need to challenge and develop contemporary culture. Culture Works was founded by four creative entrepreneurs who wanted to boost the cultural scene in Aarhus. Since then they have created a series of projects, events and concepts in collaboration with many different players in Aarhus.
Contact:
Adrian Fey, adrian@cultureworks.dk, +45 2751 5498
Kate Mackay, kate@cultureworks.dk, +45 2396 3351
AARHUS 2017
Sif Rauff, sif.rauff@aarhus2017.dk, +45 6072 1382