Andréa Gomez, Master's degree in Cultural Project Management (2019), production manager

A graduate of the Université Catholique de l'Ouest's master's program in project management and cultural establishments, Andréa Gomez is currently a production manager in the field of contemporary dance.

Can you introduce yourself?

After a year of preparatory classes at the Lycée Henri Bergson in Angers, I joined the University of Nantes in my second year to obtain a degree in English and Spanish. I then went on to teach French in England. This experience enabled me to discover the world of live performance, attending theater, dance, music and film shows.
On my return to France, I looked for training in performing arts management, and quickly opted for the Master's degree in Project Management or Cultural Establishments at UCO. What I liked about the course was that it covered many essential aspects of the field, including understanding cultural policy.
My first internship took me into the world of contemporary dance with choreographer Yvann Alexandre, an enriching experience that led me to accompany him on a tour of Quebec. Over there, I met Steve Huot, who mentored me during my Master 2 internship. These encounters enabled me to integrate a professional network and get involved in the Archipel cooperative project, which today federates over fifty cultural structures between France and Quebec.
Graduating in 2019, I am now working as a production manager.

Can you describe your day-to-day work in a few words?

As a professional in the cultural sector, my days are never the same! I'm constantly on the move, discovering new venues for creative projects, and interacting with multidisciplinary teams of dancers, technicians and other collaborators. My work also involves a great deal of administration, from contractualization to production and logistics management, not forgetting the search for funding to bring our projects to fruition. This versatility is essential in our field, where resources are often limited and each individual must contribute to the success of each initiative.

What do you like best about your job?

It's undoubtedly the diversity of the encounters and projects I'm able to lead. I have the immense privilege of being at the crossroads of multiple universes, collaborating as much with prestigious institutions such as Chaillot or the Centre national de la danse, as with more modest living spaces, residences or EHPAD.
What motivates me deeply is this closeness to people, whether they are seasoned dancers or novices. Because dance resides in all of us, waiting to be revealed.
You studied for a Master's degree in Performing Arts. What did you retain from your training?
What I really appreciated about my training was the fact that we were exposed to both academic theory and days with professional speakers. We also have partnerships with well-known organizations, such as the Premier Plan festival and Les 400 Coups. The practical application of the course has proved to be complementary to the theoretical input, creating an enriching back-and-forth between the two. This training has given me solid skills and a global vision of this fascinating field!

Any advice for future Masters students?

You have to be curious and open to opportunities. If someone had told me five years ago that I'd be working in contemporary dance, I wouldn't have believed them!

Do you have a message for the entire Alumni community?

Dare to meet people! I'm a firm believer in the power of curiosity. Sometimes, we may have preconceived ideas about what interests us or not. But who knows? One meeting, one discussion, and you could discover an unsuspected passion.