About UP

UP works to develop and improve independent performing arts throughout Denmark and Danish independent performing arts abroad.

By “independent performing arts,” we mean project-supported or otherwise self-produced performing arts groups, companies, collectives, or solo artists who work professionally with performing arts without being permanently affiliated with a specific theater or stage, or who co-produce with established theaters and venues—often in experimental, genre-crossing, and cross-aesthetic formats.

UP is an independent organisation that has received operating support from the Danish Arts Foundation and the Bikuben Foundation since 2016. We enter into ongoing 4-year framework agreements with these foundations.

Independent performing arts play a crucial role in innovating and updating Danish performing arts. This is where new formats, new ways of working, and new encounters between art, audiences, and society emerge. At the same time, the field operates within complex structures and changing conditions that place high demands on organization, overview, and capacity.

UP's strategy for 2026–2029 focuses precisely on the encounters between art, audiences, and society. It is in these connections that art derives its power.

UP works strategically and purposefully to strengthen connections:

• between production, presentation venues, and audiences
• between artistic practice and strategic work
• between artists and producers
• and between independent performing arts and the rest of the industry

UP is not a membership organisation. You can participate in UP's activities through registration, open calls, and open invitations, and you can rent the rehearsal rooms on Baldersgade for your own projects.

What can you use UP for as a performing artist in the independent field?
At UP, you can:

• gain access to rehearsal, meeting, and networking facilities in Copenhagen
• develop your strategic and entrepreneurial skills
• gain knowledge and tools for touring, co-production, and international work
• join networks and communities where experiences are shared

What can you use UP for as a producer in the independent field?
UP works to:

• strengthen the producer's role as a key position in the field
• create professional development, networks, and mentoring relationships
• support both new and experienced producers
• improve conditions for building sustainable production practices nationally and internationally

How can you use UP as an institution, network, or organisation?
UP is your gateway to:

• knowledge about the independent field and its conditions
• partnerships and collaborations across industry boundaries
• dialogue about collaboration models

Are you a decision-maker, funder, or partner?
UP contributes:

• documented knowledge about the development of the independent performing arts field
• alliances that strengthen the overall impact of the performing arts
• a comprehensive narrative about how the independent performing arts create value—locally, nationally, and internationally

UP's four strategic focus areas for the period 2026-2029:

From production to presentation: UP strengthens the connection between artistic work, venues, and audiences. We do this through initiatives for touring, co-production, networking, and better access to buyers throughout the country and internationally.

From creator to strategist: UP's activities help artists connect artistic practice with strategic thinking, enabling more of them to build robust and sustainable working lives.

From function to key position: UP works to elevate the role of producers by strengthening recruitment and professionalism – and ensuring that producers become a driving force in the development of the field.

From field to common cause: UP builds bridges between the independent performing arts field, institutions, decision-makers, and the public – and creates a stronger common narrative about the importance of the performing arts.

Team

Anne Dalby – Director

As head of the Development Platform, Anne focuses on finance, administration, personnel management and cultural policy work. Anne has solid project and development experience in experimental music and cross-aesthetic performing arts from a position as administrative manager at the metropolitan theatre Sort/Hvid, from the art radio station The Lake and the organisation Art Music Denmark.

+45 61 75 75 65

anne@udviklingsplatformen.dk

Ann-Jette Caron – Development producer

Ann-Jette is a performing arts producer with many years of experience from project-supported companies, festivals and institutional theatres. She has in-depth knowledge of the needs and challenges of the project-supported independent field. 

+45 22 83 28 12

ann-jette@udviklingsplatformen.dk

Mathias Schønberg – Communications Manager

Mathias holds a master's degree in rhetoric and has experience with communication in the cultural sector as a former cultural advisor for the Danish Embassy in Berlin and project manager at Art Music Denmark. He is also a teacher at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory and a music journalist.

+45 53 50 91 25

mathias@udviklingsplatformen.dk (man-tors)

Ida Selvejer Faaborg – Administrative employee & Booking and studio manager

Ida holds a Master's degree. in Danish and communication and has experience with administration, project coordination and programme planning. She has previously worked in the secretariat of the Danish Arts Foundation, and alongside UP she curates content for Roskilde Festival.

+45 31 25 37 10

ida@udviklingsplatformen.dk. (man-fre kl.9-13)

Sini Salminen – Office manager and designer

Sini is an international award-winning designer with more than 20 years of experience in brand design and is also an experienced event and interior designer with a focus on function, experience and human needs. At UP, Sini ensures that UP's users get a fluid experience of the building's interior design.

(tirs, tors, fre kl.11-15)

Susanna Cardemil

Accountant

susanna@udviklingsplatformen.dk

Torben Eik Jacobsen – Project Manager for Moving Identities and Strategy Lab

Torben Eik Jacobsen brings extensive experience in management and development to UP—most recently as director of Tempi and venue manager at Gimle—and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Governance with a focus on, among other things, diversity and inclusion in leadership. Torben is temporarily leading UP’s two projects, Moving Identities and Strategy Lab.

31 25 52 36

torben@udviklingsplatformen.dk

Emille Sofie Hyttel Christiensen – Student Assistent

Emille is pursuing a master’s degree in Cultural Encounters Studies at RUC and assists at UP with a wide range of tasks, particularly social media content and communication. Emille also welcomes you to UP’s open counseling sessions.

emille@udviklingsplatformen.dk

Board

Documents

Annual reports 2016 - 2022

Agreements, statutes and evaluation