WILDTOPIA by Karen Toftegaard
'My purpose is to facilitate processes or bring you art experiences that helps you understand yourself, the ones different from yourself and the world you're a part of' Karen Toftegaard
WILDTOPIA focuses on rewilding by helping creative organizations and individuals reconnect with their essence - worldwide - based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Our director, Karen Toftegaard, is an award-winning entrepreneur specializing in creative processes, as well as festival and industry creation and development. Her expertise is deeply rooted in historical knowledge and hands-on experience and a keen understanding of the strengths and challenges in the cultural sector - always aiming for the highest impact and value.
When addressing tasks, we often operate as a team, scaling our team to meet the specific needs of each project. Our work spans Denmark and the global stage, with August dedicated to Edinburgh, Scotland, where we are based for the festivals.
We have collaborated with graphic designer (and drummer) Jakob Rønlov for over ten years. Production manager Sára Bocz has been part of our team since 2019 and UK-based press lead Michelle Mangan has been associated with us since 2022. Furthermore we have cultivated a group of talented individuals who join us as needed, both in Copenhagen and around the world. We're deeply grateful for their contributions.
PEOPLE SAY:
“Karen is an active listener and responds to what she hears with clear, sharp rearticulations and provocations in ways where you understand your own thoughts and experience in a clearer way. She generously brings in her very broad catalogue of experience and uses language and reflections on language in a way that is very useful. She is wholly present and opens up a co-creative space that makes you feel at ease and respected as an equal.”
Katrina Bugaj (DK)
Artistic director, Out of Balance
“Karen has a warm and welcoming presence and quickly builds trust within the group, enabling participants to dive in and open up. She made space for various needs within the group, providing exercises for reflection and explorations together with tools for further artistic development. The work is done with humour and respect and creates an atmosphere of generosity and support.”
Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir (ISL)
Choreographer
“Karen is a compassionate advisor while at the same time she is also a sharp devil's advocate. An ability I greatly appreciate as it brings Sydhavn Teater and myself as theater director forward. She is quick to analyze a situation and cut to the core of the problem - with her great human and media understanding she made me reflect and by that develop both the theatre ad myself as a leader.”
Mille Maria Dalsgaard (DK)
Founding Artistic director, Sydhavn Teater