Spotlight on You | Getting to know Joan Picanyol
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
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Spotlight on You | Getting to know Joan Picanyol
At the young age of 33, Joan Picanyol has already enjoyed an impressive
career having worked at the top levels of some of Spain’s important
performing arts organizations. With a resume showing studies in
management design, international relations, brand management, and a
Masters in Business Administration it’s clear Joan has a handle on the
many challenging facets that affect arts organizations.
An ISPA member since 2008, Joan is currently the International Relations Manager at the Teatro Español.
Dating back to 1565, Teatro Español has a rich history of presenting
theatre to the residents and visitors of Madrid. Once a medieval
farmyard that presented small shows, today the Teatro Español presents a
range of performing arts including theatre, music, and dance in its
three halls and café.
 In addition to his role at Teatro Español, in 2012 Joan was the Director of Madrid’s first Fringe Festival
where he was responsible for the festival’s design, implementation, and
execution. Previously, Joan was the Subdirector at the Niemeyer Center
for four years where he is proud to have worked on such productions as
the Bridge Project with Kevin Spacey as well as the 20th Anniversary celebration of The Alchemist.
When people ask Joan why he has decided to pursue a career in performing arts management, he says: "because
I have been very lucky and have had the chance to work with inspiring
friends and professionals who have always helped me to grow and go
beyond. At the same time, the arts have lead me to different positions
in diverse sides of the arts at all levels. Never as an artist, but in
any other role, and it is always fun!”
 It’s no secret that Spain has experienced a recent economic downturn. Joan explains:
"The Argentinians are known to be exaggerated (we all know Ricardo
Kugler), but it seems true that in the hard years following the debt
crisis, a hundred spaces for the performing arts opened in the Buenos
Aires. There is something of that spirit going on in Madrid. For
example, last summer Fringe Madrid gathered 37 companies from all over
Spain and 6 other countries. Innovative spaces like Microteatro por
dinero are selling out every night 5 times over. The performing arts are
alive in Spain because there is talent, good ideas and passion.
However, the situation is severe. Beyond the budget cuts, the
government isn’t helping. Since the last reform, the arts have become
considered a luxury good by the Spanish tax law and, the VAT on the arts
is now the highest in the EU at 21%. So the real problem is the system,
with 50% of Spain’s young workforce currently unemployed. This is the
most prepared generation of Spaniards ever: they have Masters degrees,
international experiences, speak several languages, dominate technology
and are audacious and brave. The good news is they will be working with
you in NY, Cairo, Sydney, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Seoul or Durban very
soon. And they will be passionate about whatever they do.”
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