SHINE YOUR WORK - content
Training and clarifying the communication about one's work is just as important as developing the work - in order to lift up your work. This workshop aims to create a safe environment, where you and your colleagues identify the essences in your work and what difference/value it can bring to collaborators.
SHINE YOUR WORK provides you with tools to handle the heightened focus on becoming visible. Stepping into an arena of attracting attention, becoming visible and standing out can trigger many feelings and behavioral patterns.
Facilitator Karen Toftegaard – CEO of WILDTOPIA - always aims to support creatives in understanding themselves, other people and the world in order to navigate consciously when selling your work – shamelessly and unapologetically. Karen is acknowledged for her down-to-earth, cut to the chase, concrete exercise-centered workshops. So the participants get to have as much outcome as possible.
For questions and conversations about what would match your context please do not hesitate to contact us.
SHINE YOUR WORK formats and track record
FORMATS
This workshop is available as an in person format and as an easy-to-use app. This workshop become even more valuable when combined with an individual mentoring session. Output can be a communication strategy and ready-made pitches on-the-go as well as focusing more on creating a more formal pitch.
TARGET GROUPS
Artists, Producers, Leaders, Entrepreneurs
TRACK RECORD
Facilitated in person - invited by: Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (UK), Performing Arts Hub Norway (NO), The Danish National School of Performing Arts (DK), Danish Visual Arts Association (DBF - DK)
2025: Adapted to an in-person 90-minutes festival version accompanied by an easy-to-use app (tailormade for Edinburgh Festival Fringe's industry development programme)
2023: Adapted into an easy-to-use app
2021 - 2023: Created as a 21 days online format during Covid lockdown as a way to keep working internationally. Hosted more than 8 times for artists, producers and leaders from more than 15 different countries.
“2025: Shine Your Work was a great addition to our Fringe Central programme this year . It supported artists and producers to learn about the essential tools they need to stay on track and effectively connect with their audience at the Edinburgh Fringe. Participants left feeling more positive and confident about their next steps. Karen’s delivery was focused, engaging and artist-centered, and we’d highly recommend her for running workshops and sessions within a professional development setting.”
Kirsty Fraser
Artist Development Manager, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
“2024: Two days of workshop led by Karen Toftegaard gathered a diverse crowd of performing art professionals: producers, theatre directors, choreographers and actors. From the very first half an hour Karen managed to create a laid-back atmosphere that put participants into a self-reflective mode. The workshop’s structure consisted of individual reflections, work in pairs and groups, pitch trials and feedback sessions, which enabled learning-by-doing (and writing), so that each participant left the workshop with a finished pitch. More than that, Karen’s package offered the 1-on-1 sessions with dedicated space for coaching after the 2-day workshop, which made a great impact on final pitches presented at the international platforms.
Nothing could be more rewarding than a feedback from one of the participants, “Before the workshop I despised the idea of pitching my work, now I can’t wait doing it.”
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Performing Arts Hub Norway
A national competence centre in Norway that elevates and promotes professional performing arts both nationally and internationally.
“2023: Karen scored 100% satisfaction for facilitation and content. WOW.”
Further Education - The Danish National School of Performing Arts
Maj-Britt Mathiesen - International Creative Producer
“2022: This workshop offers invaluable insight to any artist who wants to gain a clearer perspective not only on how to communicate about their work better, but also about the work itself. Guiding you with tasks (from simple to more complex ones), Karen shifts you towards a proactive mindset and gives you tools to re-evaluate your practice, acknowledge your strengths and develop a strategy to communicate with integrity. I could not recommend this workshop enough!”
Jernej Bizjak
Slovenian Choreographer and Dancer based in Denmark