• RUTH JULIET WIKLER

    International Arts Consulting

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    Ruth Juliet Wikler, "a woman whose vivaciousness borders on exuberance and whose smile could light up a room during a blackout,"* is a performing arts curator, producer, leader, and strategist with a global lens.

    Active in the US, Canada, and beyond, Wikler consults for the international performing arts field from her current base in the Pacific NW. For each consulting project, she draws on her global network and decades of experience in programming, producing, convening, translating, artistic scholarship/research and creation/practicei across cultures, countries, and languages.

    Wikler's artistic, curatorial, and field expertise in contemporary circus, including the transformational impact she led for that sector as Director of five editions of the International Market for Contemporary Circus in Montreal (2019-2023), have made her a go-to resource for the circus field internationally. Her curatorial acumen and network of artists, producers, agents, and presenter colleagues extends well beyond circus to include a myriad of art forms ranging from theatre in translation to performing arts for youth to outdoor spectacle. Her keen understanding of the global dynamics and key players behind arts exchange and artist mobility make Wikler an in-demand speaker, coach, mentor, strategist, and facilitator for performing arts convenings, delegations, and cultural projects touching all disciplines.

    Recently appointed the first Director of Arts Programming, Partnerships, & Philanthropy at Clark College Foundation (Clark College, Vancouver, WA), Wikler also serves on Clark's theatre faculty. She engages with and advises on local, national, and international arts policy/advocacy, sector development, and artist support matters via regular service on numerous juries, boards, committees, workgroups, and advisory councils.

    Wikler holds an MA in Theatre and a BA in History. Her article "Vive le cirque: a Contemporary Circus Curation Primer" was published in the Fall 2024 edition of TURBA: Curating Live Arts (available here).

    Ses services de consultation sont également disponibles en français. Sus servicios de consultoría también se ofrecen en español.

    *Oregon Arts Watch/Photo by Friderike Heuer

  • CONSULTING AREAS

    Offering bespoke consultancies for performing arts venues & festivals, artistic companies, markets/convenings, and cultural agencies. Areas of expertise include: international exchange & mobility/presenting and touring/performing arts markets; global contemporary circus, puppetry, and outdoor/street/site specific performance; performing arts for youth/international children's festivals; and campus-based presenting/arts integration.

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    For Performing Arts Venues & Festivals

    • Guest Curator / Artistic Advisor
    • Tour / Partnership Development & Strategy
    • Global / Community Engagement Planning & Strategy

    La Presse accolades for curated projects (Montreal):

     

    "This is, without a doubt, a great moment for circus to which audiences are invited at TOHU. May all who need beauty in these uncertain times take note." - Instable, 2021 (photo)

     

    "...cares fly away and lightness takes its place. Thanks to these two clowns with tender hearts… These two posess a rare talent for establishing complicity with the audience members, regardless of age." - Air Play, 2022

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    For Performing Artists & Companies

    • Translation, Dramaturgy, Feedback, Outside Eye
    • Creative Producing & Directing for New Works
    • Coaching, Mentorship, Touring/Market Development Strategy

    Coaching testimonial:

    "How can we give young people an insight into the complex and colorful life of a cultural manager? Ruth spoke passionately and with great enthusiasm about the various stages of her unprecedented career-- and her love of the arts and contemporary circus was contagious! After this introductory lesson even some dry facts about markets in Canada and the US were easy for the mentee to digest. Thank you to Pro Helvetia for making these discussions possible iwth the COMPASS program. And a big thank you to Ruth! We'd love to do it again!" - Ute Classen, Cie unliested, Switzerland

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    For Performing Arts Markets, Symposia, Delegations & Professional Exchanges

    • Conference & Session Programming & Facilitation
    • Pitch Session & Showcase Planning & Facilitation
    • International Engagement Strategy
    • Delegation Leadership/Guide/Interpretation
    • Simultaneous Translation (EN - FR - ES)

    Attendee feedback for In "Via Publica: Performance and Public Assembly," September 2025:

    "I walked away with so much food for thought...I so appreciated the breadth of experience represented both in-person and via video. Your facilitation immediately created ease and trust in the room and I loved the size of the gathering. It was a very memorable and impactful day for me. Thank YOU!"

    - Nora Fleury (AMS, USA)

    Photo by Andrew Miller Awesome Photography

  • TESTIMONIALS

    Comments/conributions? Send to ruth@wiklerarts.com

    Berlin, Germany

    Ruth is a brilliant mind, powerful leader and a kind and generous networker who creates a deep connectedness, exchange and common vision that turns strangers into long lasting partners and ideas into successful projects.

    Anke Politz (Artistic Director, Chamäleon Theater)

    Brisbane, Australia

    Ruth is a delight to work with - inspiring,dynamic, professional and joyous. She brings her whole self to every
    opportunity and that self is an exuberant cocktail whose ingredients include dedication, passion, toughness and love. I can’t recommend working with Ruth highly enough.
    Yaron Lifschitz (Artistic Director, Circa)

    London, UK

    Ruth's programming and curatorial skills are testament to her years of experience and a deep commitment to understanding at a core level the artistic practices she is supporting. She is an excellent leader and collaborator; diligent, inspired and has an innate ability to plan long term strategy whilst being responsive to the moment to moment challenges and opportunities that emerge as part of any process.

    Victoria Dela Amedume (Artistic Director, Upswing)

    New York City, USA

    Ruth is a trusted leader in the performing arts sector, presenting and advocating for contemporary circus. Her work
    stretches across geographic and cultural borders. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as an artist and cultural worker that uniquely positions her as an invaluable resource.
    Monique Martin (Creative Producer, Artist, Cultural strategist)

    Luxembourg/Taiwan

    'With her clear artistic vision, open mind and wise skill of intercultural communication, Ruth has created space for like-minded performing arts professionals and successfully brought them together to amplify their voices and to closely work for a sustainable environment in a rapidly changing world. She is a trusted leader, diligent and reliable collaborator, the one you can 100% enjoy working with!

    Gwen Hsin-Yi CHANG 張欣怡 (Curator/Dramaturg, AxE Arts Europa; Co-Artistic Director, Hamburg Tanztrienniale 2026; Steering Committee, Circus Asia Network)

    Mexico City, Mexico

    "Ruth Wikler was for Teatro Linea de Sombra, in Portland with Boom Arts, not just a programmer but a true curator for our
    project Small Territories. Her participation as a translator of the piece and as a performer was fundamental, as was the connections she built with the community—all of which gave the text in the piece a special meaning."

    - Alicia Laguna (Artistic Co-Director, Teatro Linea de Sombra)

  • CURRENT

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    Talks & Presentations (recent/upcoming)

    • Moderator/organizer, "In Via Publica: Performance and Public Assembly," Down to Earth Festival, NYC, September 2025
    • Moderator, "The Future of Circus," MICC International Market for Contemporary Circus, July 2025
    • Presenter, Performing Lines, Melbourne Australia March 2025
    • Presenter, NICA National Institute for Circus Arts, Melbourne Australia March 2025
    • Co-Moderator, Community College Presenters Affinity Group, APAP, NYC, January 2025
    • Moderator, "Arts Building Bridges: Presenting Contemporary Mexican Work in the US," Mexico Now Festival, NYC, November 2024
    • Moderator/organizer, "Young Audiences" Disciplinary session, CINARS, November 2024
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    Clients & Collaborators (recent/current)

    • CINARS, Montreal
    • Quiet Riot, Melbourne
    • Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, The Graduate Center, CUNY
    • Vancouver International Children's Festival, Vancouver
    • Aurora Nova, Berlin
    • Chamaleon, Berlin
    • TOHU, Montréal

     

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    Professional Service

  • CONTACT

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