auawirleben: Individual, team, organisation, environment – a compass for resilience in the performing arts

When people talk about «resilience», they usually mean the resilience of individuals. But what makes organisations resilient? What structural mechanisms help us not only to survive crises but to emerge from them stronger? These questions are the focus of the «auawirleben» research project.

Using a specialised research process (action research), auawirleben works with two systemic organisational consultants to develop practically applicable models and methods. These models are specially designed for the unique conditions in the performing arts. The project is based on the assumption that a great deal of crisis knowledge already exists in the local and international scene.

Research interviews with groups and artists from different contexts are used to gather empirical knowledge. This involves dealing with different aspects of internal and external pressure. The findings will be discussed with the scene during the public supporting programme of the 2026 festival. This process will result in the «Resilience Compass», a guiding tool to help organisations, independent groups and artists strengthen their stability and resilience.

Commitment to fair and sustainable practices

auawirleben works fairly and sustainably. These values are part of the ART IS NO EXCUSE manifesto, which puts respect, transparency and environmental responsibility at the centre of every collaboration.

The «Resilience Compass» does not seek to preserve existing structures, which often demand a great deal of adaptation and flexibility from individuals. Instead, it aims to contribute to new working environments which promote good health and establish fair and stable organisational frameworks. In the long term, these will support artists, teams and institutions.

The Compass becomes a tool for making the performing arts fairer, more sustainable and more interconnected.

Contributors

Olga Drygas, Dramaturgy & Accessibility, auawirleben, Bern

Mahalia Aura Haberthür, Communication, auawirleben, Bern

Nicolette Kretz, General Management, auawirleben, Bern

Katja Sonnemann, Systemic Organisational Consulting & Process Support, Berlin

Bettina Tanner, Production Management & Administration, auawirleben, Bern

Dagmar Walser, Systemic Organisational Consulting & Process Support, Basel

Les Créatives: Residency Le Carnet Rose

The Association «Les Créatives» held a two-day residency (in the summer of 2025) on the future of the Rosa Heft. This residency involves the co-direction of Festival «Les Créatives», four people who have been involved in writing, diffusion and mediation for the Carnet Rose, and a facilitator. The Carnet Rose, published in 2021, is a collection of testimonials, legal resources and tools devised by and for artists and institutions. Its aim is to combat gender inequality in a practical, everyday way. The main themes of the Carnet Rose are as follows:

  • Equality and diversity in programmes and teams,
  • Work-life balance,
  • Equal pay,
  • Sexual harassment.

Although the Carnet Rose is an essential resource, it does not currently have the momentum it needs to reach its full potential. In 2025, the co-directors of Festival «Les Créatives» decided to begin a process of reflection on the development of the Carnet Rose. The objectives of the residency are defined as follows:

  • Taking stock of the themes of the Carnet Rose, questioning their topicality and their relevance to the Festival Les Créatives,
  • Identifying the needs of the various stakeholders and resource persons (during the residency or beforehand),
  • Selecting the themes to retain and finding specific solutions to keep the Carnet Rose alive (publication, diffusion, raising awareness through workshops, etc.),
  • To develop and implement the selected solutions to support structures in implementing the recommendations of the Carnet Rose in a tangible and effective way.

People involved

Ermela Haile, Co-director and programmer of the Festival Les Créatives
Nevena Puljic, Co-director and programmer of the Festival Les Créatives
Noëmi Grutter, Co-author of the Carnet rose, director of the Women’s Rights Program (Amnesty International)
Sidonie Atgé-Delbays, Co-author of the Carnet rose, project manager (Centre Hubertine Auclert)
Lucrezia Perrig, Co-author of the Carnet rose, PhD candidate in Gender Studies (University of Lausanne)
Roxane Gray, Thematic coordinator of the Festival Les Créatives, junior researcher for the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in the Department of History and Aesthetics of Cinema (University of Lausanne)

More information

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