Burcu Yilmaz Joins IIAN Board as Network Renews Leadership at Milan General Assembly
The International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN) has expanded its international leadership with the election of Burcu Yilmaz of Turkey to its Board at the Network’s General Assembly in Milan.
Yilmaz’s election brings a new voice from Turkey into the leadership of IIAN, strengthening the Network’s representation of diverse artistic and cultural practices in inclusive arts.
Her professional work spans arts and culture, curatorial practice and social engagement, with a particular interest in creating spaces where artistic practice and wider social participation intersect.
Her appointment comes at an important stage in the development of IIAN, an international network within the ASSITEJ community dedicated to inclusive arts for young audiences.
The Network promotes international connections, exchange of practice and discussion around inclusive theatre and performing arts.
The Milan General Assembly reviewed the Network’s development since its constitutional meeting in February 2025 and considered priorities for its next phase, including stronger international collaboration, knowledge exchange and the continuing development of IIAN’s Inclusive Toolkit.
The Assembly also confirmed Jerry Adesewo of Nigeria as President of the Network.
Adesewo, founder and Artistic Director of Arojah Royal Theatre and the Abuja International Theatre Festival and Awards, has led IIAN through its recent period of restructuring and international development.
IIAN’s published Board profile identifies him as the Network’s President.
A further leadership change saw Ginni Manning of the United Kingdom emerge as Vice President, taking over the position previously held by Jaume Belló of Spain/Catalonia, who stepped down earlier in the year.
Manning, a playwright, theatre maker and writer from Liverpool, had previously served as a Board member.
Her work includes exploring accessibility within the creative process and the role of the playwright in theatre for young audiences.
With Yilmaz joining the Board and Manning moving into the Vice Presidency, the leadership now brings together practitioners from a range of countries and professional backgrounds.
The continuing Board includes Ela Baumann (Luxembourg), Marta Galli (Italy), Fran Sillau (USA), Aamir Nawaz (Pakistan), Stavros Stavrou (Cyprus), Jon Dafydd-Kidd (Wales/UK), and Lars Werner Thomsen (Denmark), alongside Adesewo, Manning and the newly elected Yilmaz.
The changes come as IIAN continues to develop its role as a platform for artists, organisations and practitioners working to make the performing arts more accessible and participatory.
The Network describes its purpose around inspiring artists, promoting inclusive arts and international connections, and sharing good practice across countries.
For Yilmaz, the Board appointment adds a Turkish perspective to an increasingly international conversation about what inclusion can mean in contemporary arts practice.
The Milan Assembly thus marked another stage in IIAN’s development: bringing new leadership into the Network while continuing its broader ambition to Inspire, Challenge and Promote inclusive practice across the international arts community.
