KA220-VET – Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training
VAPA (Virtual Academy for Performing Artists) is a European Erasmus+ project in the field of Vocational Education and Training (KA220-VET), coordinated by Theater am Lend (Austria). The project will run from September 1, 2025, to February 29, 2028.
VAPA was created to respond to a clear need: many young performing artists do not find specific training in socially engaged theater, puppet theater, or self-entrepreneurship skills in formal education that would enable them to turn their talent into real professional opportunities.
Project objectives
VAPA has three main objectives:
-To strengthen the skills of young performing artists in:
+Socially Engaging Theater (SET)
+Puppetry
+Self-entrepreneurship strategies (promotion, networking, and career development)
-Create real opportunities for participants to demonstrate the skills they have acquired through public performances.
-Support participants in designing professional strategies that boost their employability and international visibility.
How is VAPA implemented?
The core of the project is the creation of a digital platform that will function as a Virtual Academy.
This will include two training centers:
-Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre (SET Centre)
-Centre for Puppeteering (PupCentre)
Through this platform, two comprehensive training programs will be developed, combining online training, collaborative work, and artistic production. In addition, the project integrates specific training in self-entrepreneurship as a structural part of the training itinerary.
Participants and expected results
The project will involve 30 young artists (6 per participating country), including screenwriters, directors/producers, and actors.
The main expected results include:
-Creation of the VAPA digital platform.
-Development of two structured training programs.
-Production of five socially committed plays (one per country).
-Production of five puppet shows (one per country).
-Design of individual professional development strategies for the 30 participants.
Impact
VAPA combines artistic training, digital transformation, and professional development in a single innovative model.
The project not only strengthens the technical skills of young artists, but also provides them with concrete tools to integrate into the labor market and develop sustainable careers.
In addition, the productions will address issues such as climate change, social inclusion, and diversity, contributing to civic engagement and social reflection through art.
VAPA represents a new way of understanding artistic training.
