“An archive is composed primarily of stories”. Gabriela Zuarez | Sur Mundo Ensemble was one of the selected groups following this PodiumkunstNet training program for the building of the choreographic collection of the company. The final meeting of the Archive Project group took place on June 17, 2025, which was the third edition organized by PodiumkunstNet organization in the Netherlands.

The Archive Project by PodiumKunstNet is a professional development program for performing arts institutions in which they learn to create and manage their repertory records and archives. How to map out what the theatre companies have? How do these companies organize their records easily? And what are the challenges of sharing the records and the processes of archiving material with colleagues, researchers, other creators, or with the public? The participant companies worked for four months to give answer these questions, they received guidance from a coach, and were inspired by workshops, co-working sessions with the other participants about their archives.
The Archive Project program 2025 became, then, an important event in the structural process of those theatre and dance companies. Gabriela Zuarez | Sur Mundo Ensemble together with Theatre Day Productions represented by Jan Willems, Toneelmakerij represented by Paulin Geerlings, Theatre De Krakeling represented by Sophie Lambo, and Mentos Grote Prijs van Nederland represented bij Willem Bloem have received guidance from a coach, and been inspired by workshops, co-working with the other participants on their own archives. Participants followed the mentoring of Marit Adriaanse, Brandy Sanmoeradi, Eva Langerak, Tommy Ventevogel, and the coordination of Monique in het Veld at PodiumKunstNet.
At the end of the project, all the companies presented their action plans: a description of the current situation of their companies archives, a proposal for the desired situation, and concrete steps to get there. What do these plans look like? What do they have in common? And how did the Archives Project help in drafting it?
This Archive Project program has been instrumental in fostering the development of autonomous theatrical, musical and dancing archives and the cultural heritage and it will bounce, undoubtedly, in the hearts of communities.