who is deus
Meet the DeuS staff and get in touch with them
Rita Orlando
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER / EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Hello! I’m an architect with a long-lasting experience in piloting innovative projects and initiative at European level in the cultural field, with a specific focus on participation and co-creation, involving either professionals or citizens as well.
Currently I’m the manager of the Open Design School, a pilot initiative of Matera 2019, European capital of culture, that I’ve contributed to design and implement: a unique opportunity to leverage on culture for planning the future of the city.The Open Design School is not a school indeed: it is an experimental and participatory design lab providing solutions to real challenges, where learning occurs while doing, adopting a multidisciplinary and peer-to-peer approach, at the intersection between art and science, in an atmosphere of mutual enrichment.
Being a lucky girl, I’m also the Coordinator of the DeuS project, shaped around the Open Design School itself. My motto? “The future is an open book”.
Foundation Matera-Basilicata 2019 – Open Design School
Becky Riches
Project Manager
I am half English and half Irish and live in Matera (Italy). I happily accept that my time studying in Modena, Italy, through the EU Erasmus programme transformed my life. After years working in a multinational environment, I transformed my professional profile in support of a life choice to live in the South of Italy.
Since 2007 I have driven a sustainable tourism project, Lucania Living, specialised in welcoming new non-Italian homeowners, restoring abandoned rural villages, forging cultural bridges and harnessing the authenticity of Southern Italy to define a sustainable future.
In 2018, I joined the Matera-Basilicata 2019 Foundation that drove the rich cultural programme for Matera’s year as European Capital of Culture. I coordinated the Development and Relations team and was project manager for specific cultural artistic projects focused on citizen participation and inclusion.
I am the Matera 2019 DeuS project manager and work on other cultural projects and initiatives as well.
Foundation Matera-Basilicata 2019 – Open Design School
Paolo Montemurro
Director
Director of Materahub, project manager of EU funded projects since 2008. Since 2010, I have been working on capacity building actions for the Creative and Cultural sector and support to young entrepreneurs and startups in the cultural and social sector.
Since 2014, I have worked on cross-fertilization between arts and other sector of economy, society and culture. I am actively working on the topic of internationalization and networking at EU level for the Creative and Cultural sector.
I am researching the model of European Capitals of Culture as labs to support CCIs development. Since 2016, I have been the person in charge of bringing Materahub in European networks among which the European Creative Business Network, Creative Business Cup Network, European Creative Hubs Network. In this network, I have worked with EC Science HUB JRC on a pilot project to discover how creative hubs can become places to co-design policies to support youth employment through the Creative and Cultural sector.
In 2018, I started a new project focused on supporting faculties of arts & humanities on developing new spaces for innovation, entrepreneurship education for students and academic staff, cross -fertilization with companies. Since 2020, I have been an advisor of the European Commission for EU4Business program supporting CCIs in Eastern Partnership Countries.
Consorzio Materahub Industrie Culturali e Creative
Raffaele Vitulli
Senior Project Manager
Co-Founder & Senior Project Manager of Materahub since 2011. I am working on capacity building actions for the Creative and Cultural sector and support to young entrepreneurs and startups in the cultural and social sector. Since 2006, I have worked on tourism & heritage sector.
I am actively working on the topic of internationalization and networking at EU level for the Creative and Cultural sector. I am researching the model of new cross-collaboration between CCI & traditional sectors. Since 2018, I have been a President of Basilicata Creativa, a cluster of Cultural & Creative Organization in Basilicata.
Consorzio Materahub Industrie Culturali e Creative
Gerin Trautenberger
Designer & Researcher, Business Development
In addition of working in the fields of design management and strategic consulting, I started working with communication and product design in the 1990s. As director for VIENNA OPEN – a festival for open innovations, I investigated the implementation of open design practices and innovation for smart cities. Since 2013, I have been president of the Kreativwirtschaft Austria (KAT).
I have also worked as a lecturer in experimental media design at the University for Applied Arts in Vienna and lectured at the POP-Akademie in Mannheim. I am currently teaching at the WIFI Graz Design Management. From 2011 until 2013 I was appointed Board Member of the European Design Innovation Initiative (EDII) working for DG Industry and Enterprise and today, I am a board member of the European Creative Business Network and responsible for Business development and member services.
My academic career started at the Vienna University as an economic student. I finished with the BA (hons) degree in 2004 at the Kingston University/London and completed my media studies at the Uppsala University in 2019.
Microgiants
Silja Suntola
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
I am a long-term professional in the creative industries, with substantial references from the music sector as well as research, development and education for creative economy. I currently run a number of international projects at the Creative Industries Research Unit at the South-Eastern University of Applied Sciences.
South-Eastern Finland of Applied Sciences, Xamk
Vincenzo Membola
Social Media Strategist
I am a social media expert, copywriter, web developer and podcaster with 10 years of experience. I have worked for business companies such as Bandai, Plasmon, Kraft Heinz, Acqua di Nepi, Casa Milo, La Drogheria 1880. In the social and cultural field, I collaborated with several organizations such as Dialoghi di Trani, Fondazione Laureus Italia Onlus and Mat Community Hub.
Foundation Matera-Basilicata 2019 – Open Design School
ANDREA STEGANI
REATIVITY COORDINATOR AT THE VALLETTA DESIGN CLUSTER
I am the Creativity Coordinator at the Valletta Design Cluster (VCA), taking care of the implementation of the Cluster’s cultural program.
I also work as Choir Administrator at KorMalta-Malta National Choir, making sure concerts and initiatives are delivered at their best. My background is varied and includes experience in the visual and performing arts in Europe (Italy, Malta) and Australia as project manager, opera choir member, actor and curator of creative exhibitions. I hold a master’s degree in Arts Management from Cà Foscari University of Venice and has more recently undertaken formal training in fundraising and team building for non-profit organisations.
Valletta Cultural Agency
ZUZANA KOTIKOVÁ
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
I studied humanities at Charles University in Prague. I am a project manager in Creative Industry Košice and run a residency program KAIR.
Creative Industry Košice
Christine Behrensdorff
STUDENT ASSISTANT
I have a bachelor’s degree in International Business Communication – English and International Marketing and am currently doing a master’s degree in International Business Communication at Copenhagen Business School. I am passionate about communication and marketing and spend my time at Creative Business Network and DeuS performing tasks related to these areas.
Creative Business Network
cbnet.com
SHELLEY DOOLAN
SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW
I am a researcher with a background in developing and delivering multi-partner research, development and innovation projects, working in collaboration across a range of disciplines.
In addition to my role in DeuS, I am Project Manager of the ERDF-Funded Assistive Technologies Innovation Centre https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/atic/;
Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Arts and Humanities Entrepreneurship Hubs project https://www.artshumanitieshub.eu/;and researcher on the Creative Europe funded Craft Hub project https://www.crafthub.eu/.
My prior research includes the role of technology within Craft, exploring the potential for CAD and CAM tools and ways in which the skills associated with their use may become embedded within the craft practitioner’s repertoire.
The research explores the limits of digital practice in terms of process parameters and material outcomes as well as raising and responding to questions concerning creativity and authenticity within digital practice.
I am currently developing research beyond my own practice and the medium of glass and finding routes to apply and adapt findings within educational and industrial contexts.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
KAROLINE HAULUND
VICE director
Vice director at Creative Business Network. She holds a Master’s degree in Film- and Media studies specializing in cross media communication from Copenhagen University. Her field of expertise is developing creative communication and digital solutions that align a brand’s identity across platforms and engage audience.
At Creative Business Network, she works at the intersection of marketing, communications and digital, combining strategic brand thinking with creativity to reach new and wider target groups, build communities and drive action. Karoline is experienced with international project management, being involved in several European projects such as Regional Creative Industries Alliance and CLEVER,
Karoline played an important role in designing the Creative Business Cup Solutions and managed several of these from idea to finalized project. Prior to joining Creative Business Cup, Karoline was at a Copenhagen based indie record label developing their digital presence as well as carrying out promotional campaigns for artists.
Creative Business Network
daniela molina
HEAD OF CREATIVE BUSINESS ACADEMY
Professional in the administration of business branches from the hospitality industry. Strongly oriented towards service administration;with a solid background in the fields of food & beverage, customer service, and the tourism realm as well.
Experienced in restaurant management, food quality control, event planning, administration of logistics and performance of services provided;and human resources management.
Trainer, speaker, and Business advisor for micro, small, and medium sized enterprises with emphasis on economical development. Acquired skills plus a natural ability for leadership, vision, responsibility, accountability, and high moral and professional values.
Creative Business Network
CHRIS HOLTOM
FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
I currently work at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and have an extensive track record of developing, securing funding for and managing a range of successful projects, the majority of which have been delivered in partnership with national and international organisations; including governments, funding agencies, Universities and private sector businesses.
I am experienced with managing staff, multi-partner budgets, procurement tenders and working with industry to deliver key outcomes, including job creation and new product development.
I hold an MA in Electronic and Temporal Arts from The University of Sydney. My creative practice is inspired by a broad range of theoretical and artistic influences, with subject matter often situated within sites and localities of ostensible neutrality. The resulting videos, sound pieces and installations have shown in numerous international exhibitions and screening events in Europe, China, Australia and North America.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
MICHAL HLADKY
DIRECTOR
I am the director of Creative Industry Košice, which is the legacy organization after Košice European Capital of Culture 2013. I am an author of the concept of the Košice ECoC bid project and have over 13 years of experience with its implementation and sustainability strategy.
I am leading on and am part of international projects for CCI’s development, education, mobilities, and business models. I am co-chair of the European Creative Business Network with the role of EU project lead.
I participate in several EU programs such as Erasmus+, Erasmus for young entrepreneurs, Creative Europe, COSME, Interreg, or Urbact II. I also have years of experiences with cross-sectorial projects and collaboration with a focus on CCI spill overs. CIKE is the focal point responsible for activities related to the project of Košice UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts and UCCN membership.
Creative Industry Košice
JŪRATĖ TUTLYTĖ
ASSOC. PROFESSOR | DESIGN CURATOR
I am an Associate Professor at the Arts Department of Vytautas Magnus University, art theorist, and researcher | Design program curator at Kaunas 2022. My academic interests include architecture and design of the 20th and 21st centuries; contemporary processes of urban culture and territorial planning; correlations between public spaces, heritage, culture, art and communities; paradigms of creativity and cultural industries.
I initiated and co-created master’s and bachelor’s degree programs in Creative Industries at Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Arts. For 4 years, I was head of the Department of Art History at Vytautas Magnus University. Currently, I am design program curator at Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022 project and am a focal point of Kaunas UNESCO Creative City of Design. I am a member of the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards, an author of many essays and academic articles.
Vytautas Magnus University | Kaunas 2022
www.kaunas2022.eu
GISA SCHOSSWOHL
EU PROJECT MANAGER
I am an international project manager and have been so in the last 20 years. My background is a master’s in business administration, economy and law. My focus is creative economy and culture, transformation and education and innovation. My approach is working interdisciplinary, I strongly believe that breaking the silos will make a real change in Europe.
Creative Region Linz& Upper Austria
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