AGORA TEAM
We are still a very small core team and a young organisation, working without structural or core funding. Like many in our network, we are artists and freelance creative workers navigating broader creative portfolios. What brings us together is a shared commitment to making space for a diverse range of artistic and social voices.
Naomi Russell
Founder & Director
Camie Karstanje
Producer
Rotterdam hub
Juan Onofri
Buenos Aires Lead
Buenos Aires Hub
Flávia Ruas
Communications & Marketing Manager
Myriam Sakko
Financial Manager
AGORA BOARD
Godelieve Van Heteren
Sevdalina Rukanova
Gijs Scholten van Aschat
Friends Board: Irene van Affelen, Iris Kisjes, Tanja Tierie
THE AGORA NOW NETWORK
EMPOWERING OUR ARTISTS
Agora now started as the idea of one person. That idea took hold, and now we are 350 artists, makers, producers, cultural and civic activists, representing 50 nationalities, alongside organisations and partners from around the world.
Members of the network gather regularly online to make space for exchanges, connections, and solidarity. This is a collective project: everyone wants to find new ways to create better, fairer and alternative conditions for artists and communities to experiment, make, and share their work and ideas.
You can join the network today by filling out this short form, outlining a bit about yourself and your practice. You’ll receive regular updates about our work and residencies, invitations to online meetings, and a chance to hear about opportunities to share your work and ideas. This is a chance to be a part of a global movement that makes real change for performing artists everywhere.
AGORA NOW CONTRIBUTORS
Rotterdam City Hub
Residents: Kenny Gomes (2024), Maria Magdalena Kozlowska (2024)
Artist workgroups: 2023-2024 Merel Smitt, Floor van Leeuwen, Aart Strootman, Y.M.P. Flow | 2025 Anastasia Eggers, Tamar Ketelaars, Maurice Meewisse, Francisca Ponta Negra dos Santos, Mikołaj Stojanowicz.
Buenos Aires City Hub
Residents: Idio Chichava (2024) Masi Mamani (2025)
Behind the scenes: Elisa Carricajo, Florencia Ciucci, Vesna Brzovic Gaete
East Anglia Hub
Community Keel artists 2025: Jon Baker, Karen Reilly, Melanie Wilson, Jaka Škapin, Naomi Russell
Collaborating artists: Susan Barnett, Karen Eng, Bryony Graham, Karl Trosclair, Jane Watt
Liquid Becomings 2024
Curators: Agnieszka Brzeżańska, Ewa Ciepielewska, Bojan Đorđev, Siniša Ilić, Laura Kalauz, Maria Magdalena Kozłowska, Alfredo Martins, Annette Mees, Naomi Russell, Olga Uzikaeva
Resident artists: Leila Chakroun, Bogdan Djukanović, Keli Freitas, Gosia Kępa, Neda Kovinić, Romauld Krężel, Małgorzata Kuciewicz, Małgorzata Markiewicz, Marta Niedbał, Elodie Olson-Coons, Flavia Barbosa Pinheiro, Katarina Popović, Elina Rodríguez, Martin Schick, Jaka Škapin, Isabel Soany Candia Bolshakova, Mette Sterre, Sophie Thun, Pio Sebastian Torroja, Carola Uehlken, Viktor Vejvoda, Niels de Vries, Alicja Wysocka, Patryk Zakrocki
Commissioned artists: Afrika + Lazzarka, Marija Balubdžić, Paula Diogo, Gira Collective, Tita Maravilha, Adriana Progano, Gonçalo Tavares, Tandy 3000, Valete
Behind the scenes: Lucy Atkinson, Luis Cepa, Claudia Duarte, Monika Husar, Piotr Jedynasiak, Dragana Jovović, Jan Tomza-Osiecki, Rainer Prohaska, Hanna Priemetzhofer, Aleksander Rakezić, Mariana Rolim, Ana Raquel Rodrigues, Florian Sogro, Ana Paula Texeira, Hannah Tully, Gerardo Montes de Oca Valadez, Heidi Vandamme.
Agora Now
Behind the scenes, contributions, production, marketing, translation, dramaturgy, research + project management 2021-2025: Margarida Colaço, Tamara Cubas, Patrick Dickie, Rachel Feuchtwang, Julian Hetzel, Micha Hamel, Pablo Hannon, Maria Joao Machado, Juan Pablo Miranda, Trish Okenwa, Catarina Saraiva, Becky Schutt, Melina Seldes, Suzy Willson, Joe Walkling.
Past Board Members: Onno Paymans + Irene van Affelen (2021-2023), Bing Hao (2024-2025)
SUPPORT AGORA NOW
With the support we’ve received through various projects, many inspiring people have joined us along the way — contributing their energy, ideas, and commitment. We want to do more. If you’re interested in helping us grow this collective work, get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.