KEA

KEA advises territories, organisations and people

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KEA European Affairs is an international policy design research centre specialised in culture and creative industries as well as sport, education and youth.

Based in Brussels, KEA’s mission is to provide policy advice to make territories, organisations and people more aware of their cultural and creative resources, to unlock the potential of culture including heritage for economic and social development.

Our service is based on the credibility of our research, on our reputation, and on expertise. Our ambition is to create an environment in which the diverse skills and the creativity of our team can flourish. We believe that honesty, frankness, recognition and trust are essential values which will ensure the development of our company, our team and our partners.

KEA China

KEA established an office in Shenzhen in 2008 to benefit from the privileged geographical and administrative status of the city. Being present in China gave us the opportunity to broaden our field of action and develop an international network.

Advocate of
the cultural
world

KEA has been founding and managing international associations fostering the creative and cultural community. In 2000 KEA established IMPALA, a trade association supporting independent music companies across the world. In 2016 KEA launched b.creative, a global network for cultural and creative entrepreneurs offering yearly international events and design competitions. KEA is also a member of Culture Action Europe.

Areas of
specialisation

KEA is specialised in the cultural, creative industries as well as sport, education and youth sectors. We also have expertise in research and access to funding in the following fields:

  • Audiovisual policies
  • EU law – competition, intellectual property
  • Linguistic and cultural diversity
  • International trade and cooperation
  • Cultural diplomacy
  • Regional development
  • Creative entrepreneurship
  • Cultural heritage
  • Digital media

Our story

Since 1999, KEA has been a pioneer in the field of culture and creative industry policy. KEA has consolidated its brand and reputation over the years as a result of a proven track-record of successfully concluded assignments and studies throughout the EU and in third countries (Albania, Georgia, China, Ukraine, Serbia, Russia, South Africa and Caribbean). KEA is expert to the European Commission, European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Investment Fund and World Intellectual Property Organisation. Over the years KEA developed and successfully managed  projects in the context of Creative Europe, H2020, Interreg, DEVCO and External Actions.

Team

Philippe Kern

Philippe Kern

Founder & Managing Director
Arthur Le Gall

Arthur Le Gall

Director
Allison Reekie

Allison Reekie

Office & Events Manager
Marta Lázaro Soler

Marta Lázaro Soler

Senior Consultant
Aleksandra Ćwik-Mohanty

Aleksandra Ćwik-Mohanty

Senior Consultant
Federica Antonucci

Federica Antonucci

Consultant and Researcher
Aline Albertelli

Aline Albertelli

Consultant & Researcher
Marina Martinez

Marina Martinez

Consultant
Greta Ortalli

Greta Ortalli

Research Trainee

Our Clients

KEA has worked with EU institutions, national and regional authorities, cultural organisations and many more in Albania, Armenia, the Baltics, Belgium, the Caribbean, China, Corfou, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Moldova, Republic of North Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK. A list of selected clients can be found below.
National, regional, local authorities
International organisations
Cultural and creative sectors
Partner Universities
Corporate, Finance, Networks
Sport sector
National, regional, local authorities
International organisations
Cultural and creative sectors
Partner Universities
Corporate, Finance, Networks
Sport sector
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    Philippe Kern
    Philippe Kern

    Philippe Kern

    Founder & Managing Director
    Philippe Kern was born in Strasbourg in 1962. He is founder and managing director of KEA European Affairs, a research centre specialised in advising territories and organisations on culture policy since 1999. He has authored numerous studies for European and national institutions on culture, copyright, culture and creative industries as well as audiovisual policies notably The Economy of Culture in Europe and The Impact of Culture on Creativity. KEA is involved as an initiator or scientific coordinator of various high profile European projects in the field of creative entrepreneurship, art and science or artistic interventions. Kern is the founder of IMPALA - the association of independent music companies. He acted as Secretary General from 2000 to 2008. He is expert adviser to the European Union, the Council of Europe, WIPO, the European Investment fund (EIF), Eurocities as well as numerous public authorites. He is chairman of b.creative an international association aimed at networking creative entrepreneurs worldwide. He managed a KEA office in Shenzhen (China) for 7 years. In 2014 he was appointed by the Mayor as a member of Shenzhen Internationalisation Strategy Committee. Philippe was former Director of Public and Legal Affairs of PolyGram (now Universal) and head of the IFPI Brussels office. He graduated in law from the universities of Strasbourg and Paris as well as the College of Europe in Bruges. He writes blogs and authored the book European. What about Union? Culture in the European Union Project.
    Philippe Kern was born in Strasbourg in 1962. He is founder and managing director of KEA European Affairs, a research centre specialised in advising territories and organisations on culture policy since 1999. He has authored numerous studies for European and national institutions on culture, copyright, culture and creative industries as well as audiovisual policies notably The Economy of Culture in Europe and The Impact of Culture on Creativity. KEA is involved as an initiator or scientific coordinator of various high profile European projects in the field of creative entrepreneurship, art and science or artistic interventions. Kern is the founder of IMPALA - the association of independent music companies. He acted as Secretary General from 2000 to 2008. He is expert adviser to the European Union, the Council of Europe, WIPO, the European Investment fund (EIF), Eurocities as well as numerous public authorites. He is chairman of b.creative an international association aimed at networking creative entrepreneurs worldwide. He managed a KEA office in Shenzhen (China) for 7 years. In 2014 he was appointed by the Mayor as a member of Shenzhen Internationalisation Strategy Committee. Philippe was former Director of Public and Legal Affairs of PolyGram (now Universal) and head of the IFPI Brussels office. He graduated in law from the universities of Strasbourg and Paris as well as the College of Europe in Bruges. He writes blogs and authored the book European. What about Union? Culture in the European Union Project.
    Arthur Le Gall
    Arthur Le Gall

    Arthur Le Gall

    Director
    Arthur LE GALL is director at KEA. He is responsible for coordinating KEA’s research team and supervising studies, reports and projects. He also oversees sport-related activities. He is specialised in policies for the sport, audiovisual, cultural and creative sectors. He designs methodologies to assess the contribution of the cultural and audiovisual sectors to the wider society and economy, and engineers support programmes and policies for the cultural and creative sectors to nurture arts, culture and creativity across territories. Arthur also delivers strategic advice to local authorities on the role of sport, culture and creative industries for local and regional development. He is the author or co-author of several research pieces on culture and creativity in Europe, including ‘Mapping the creative value chains: A study on the economy of culture in the digital age’ (DG EAC, 2017), a ‘Study on the promotion of European works in Audiovisual Media Services (DG CONNECT, 2017) or the longitudinal evaluation of Mons European Capital of Culture 2015 (Mons 2015 Foundation, 2012-2016). Arthur’s experience includes managing some key EU-funded projects, one looking into culture investment and strategic initiatives in 150 cities and regions across Europe (“Culture for cities and regions”, 2014-2017), as well as another on developing an international platform for young creative entrepreneurs (“Creative Tracks”, 2015-2017). He holds a MA from Sciences Po Lille (FR) in European Affairs and obtained a BA in Politics & International Relations from Kent University (UK).
    Arthur LE GALL is director at KEA. He is responsible for coordinating KEA’s research team and supervising studies, reports and projects. He also oversees sport-related activities. He is specialised in policies for the sport, audiovisual, cultural and creative sectors. He designs methodologies to assess the contribution of the cultural and audiovisual sectors to the wider society and economy, and engineers support programmes and policies for the cultural and creative sectors to nurture arts, culture and creativity across territories. Arthur also delivers strategic advice to local authorities on the role of sport, culture and creative industries for local and regional development. He is the author or co-author of several research pieces on culture and creativity in Europe, including ‘Mapping the creative value chains: A study on the economy of culture in the digital age’ (DG EAC, 2017), a ‘Study on the promotion of European works in Audiovisual Media Services (DG CONNECT, 2017) or the longitudinal evaluation of Mons European Capital of Culture 2015 (Mons 2015 Foundation, 2012-2016). Arthur’s experience includes managing some key EU-funded projects, one looking into culture investment and strategic initiatives in 150 cities and regions across Europe (“Culture for cities and regions”, 2014-2017), as well as another on developing an international platform for young creative entrepreneurs (“Creative Tracks”, 2015-2017). He holds a MA from Sciences Po Lille (FR) in European Affairs and obtained a BA in Politics & International Relations from Kent University (UK).
    Allison Reekie
    Allison Reekie

    Allison Reekie

    Office & Events Manager
    Allison REEKIE is responsible for KEA Events. She has more than 20 years’ experience organising events in the European Union. Such events include international conferences, round tables, training seminars, annual general meetings, themed film screenings, private cinema screenings and a number of European Union Presidency conferences. Having worked for the pan-European initiative Eureka Technology, then the business development department of a bank, she moved on to work for Audiovisual Eureka for a number of years before joining KEA in April 2001. Allison graduated from the University of the West of England. She speaks English and French.
    Allison REEKIE is responsible for KEA Events. She has more than 20 years’ experience organising events in the European Union. Such events include international conferences, round tables, training seminars, annual general meetings, themed film screenings, private cinema screenings and a number of European Union Presidency conferences. Having worked for the pan-European initiative Eureka Technology, then the business development department of a bank, she moved on to work for Audiovisual Eureka for a number of years before joining KEA in April 2001. Allison graduated from the University of the West of England. She speaks English and French.
    Marta Lázaro Soler
    Marta Lázaro Soler

    Marta Lázaro Soler

    Senior Consultant
    Marta holds a Law degree from Deusto University (Spain) and a MA in European Interdisciplinary Studies from the College of Europe (Natolin Campus, Poland). Passionate about culture and sport, she has more than 6 years of interdisciplinary experience working on these fields as well as on international affairs and innovation in Mexico, Brussels and Spain across the non-profit, public and private sectors.  Marta has worked in-house as well as a freelancer and is used to wearing many hats, ranging from consultant to project and legal affairs manager.  She speaks Spanish, English, French and Basque.
    Marta holds a Law degree from Deusto University (Spain) and a MA in European Interdisciplinary Studies from the College of Europe (Natolin Campus, Poland). Passionate about culture and sport, she has more than 6 years of interdisciplinary experience working on these fields as well as on international affairs and innovation in Mexico, Brussels and Spain across the non-profit, public and private sectors.  Marta has worked in-house as well as a freelancer and is used to wearing many hats, ranging from consultant to project and legal affairs manager.  She speaks Spanish, English, French and Basque.
    Aleksandra Ćwik-Mohanty
    Aleksandra Ćwik-Mohanty

    Aleksandra Ćwik-Mohanty

    Senior Consultant
    Aleksandra is an anthropologist, and combines her academic background with skills gained during years of hands-on experience in operations across the creative industries, especially fashion, theatre, filmmaking, and the organisation of events and festivals. At KEA, she focuses on strategic consultancy, feasibility studies, evaluation, and comprehensive support of cultural and creative entrepreneurship. She is an alumna of the MA in Cultural Heritage Studies Program: Management, Research and Policy at Central European University (Hungary). Before joining KEA, she was a researcher at the Centre for European Regional and Local Studies EUROREG at the University of Warsaw (Poland). Her research interests cover heritage-based local and regional development. Her expertise includes various qualitative and quantitative methods; she authored and co-authored several academic and popular science articles, reports, and case studies. During her time in academia, she cooperated with NGOs and, as a trainer, designed and delivered workshops for various audiences. She works in English and Polish.
    Aleksandra is an anthropologist, and combines her academic background with skills gained during years of hands-on experience in operations across the creative industries, especially fashion, theatre, filmmaking, and the organisation of events and festivals. At KEA, she focuses on strategic consultancy, feasibility studies, evaluation, and comprehensive support of cultural and creative entrepreneurship. She is an alumna of the MA in Cultural Heritage Studies Program: Management, Research and Policy at Central European University (Hungary). Before joining KEA, she was a researcher at the Centre for European Regional and Local Studies EUROREG at the University of Warsaw (Poland). Her research interests cover heritage-based local and regional development. Her expertise includes various qualitative and quantitative methods; she authored and co-authored several academic and popular science articles, reports, and case studies. During her time in academia, she cooperated with NGOs and, as a trainer, designed and delivered workshops for various audiences. She works in English and Polish.
    Federica Antonucci
    Federica Antonucci

    Federica Antonucci

    Consultant and Researcher
    Federica Antonucci is PhD in Urban Studies at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria and she has been visiting researcher at KU Leuven and Erasmus University of Rotterdam. She is balancing her academic research with her role as external consultant and researcher as part of KEA team. She is contributing to studies on culture, innovation, new media, and the impact of cultural and creative industries. Federica has an economic background and quantitative and qualitative competences on research methodologies. She speaks Italian, English and French. 
    Federica Antonucci is PhD in Urban Studies at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria and she has been visiting researcher at KU Leuven and Erasmus University of Rotterdam. She is balancing her academic research with her role as external consultant and researcher as part of KEA team. She is contributing to studies on culture, innovation, new media, and the impact of cultural and creative industries. Federica has an economic background and quantitative and qualitative competences on research methodologies. She speaks Italian, English and French. 
    Aline Albertelli
    Aline Albertelli

    Aline Albertelli

    Consultant & Researcher
    Aline Albertelli is a consultant at KEA supporting roles in research, project management and communication. She holds a MA in Cultural Economics & Entrepreneurship at Erasmus University and a BA in Economics and Management for Culture at Bocconi University. Both her MA and BA theses concerned the governance and management of the cultural heritage and cultural institutions. Lately her research has focused mainly on the development of Public Private Partnerships in the cultural sector in Italy. Before joining KEA, she worked mainly in the creative sector between artists studios and creative start-ups. Her interests range from the cultural world to that of sustainability with a keen curiosity for cultural heritage, the arts, and the role of artists in society. 
    Aline Albertelli is a consultant at KEA supporting roles in research, project management and communication. She holds a MA in Cultural Economics & Entrepreneurship at Erasmus University and a BA in Economics and Management for Culture at Bocconi University. Both her MA and BA theses concerned the governance and management of the cultural heritage and cultural institutions. Lately her research has focused mainly on the development of Public Private Partnerships in the cultural sector in Italy. Before joining KEA, she worked mainly in the creative sector between artists studios and creative start-ups. Her interests range from the cultural world to that of sustainability with a keen curiosity for cultural heritage, the arts, and the role of artists in society. 
    Marina Martinez
    Marina Martinez

    Marina Martinez

    Consultant
    Marina Duarte Martinez is a consultant at KEA, supporting our team in research and communication activities. She is completing a MA in Cultural Studies from KU Leuven and has an academic background in Public Policy and Art History. Her experience in Cultural Policy include collaborations with the Organisation of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI), the University of Minho, the FCRB/Ministry of Culture of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, 2015-2020) and Unesco Chair in Cultural Policy and Management (Rio de Janeiro, 2017-2020). As a curator and art historian, she has contributed to the development of several exhibitions at museums in Rio de Janeiro. Currently, she is committed to improving environmental sustainability within the creative industry, aiming to bridge the gap between discourse (aesthetics) and practice (management).
    Marina Duarte Martinez is a consultant at KEA, supporting our team in research and communication activities. She is completing a MA in Cultural Studies from KU Leuven and has an academic background in Public Policy and Art History. Her experience in Cultural Policy include collaborations with the Organisation of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI), the University of Minho, the FCRB/Ministry of Culture of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, 2015-2020) and Unesco Chair in Cultural Policy and Management (Rio de Janeiro, 2017-2020). As a curator and art historian, she has contributed to the development of several exhibitions at museums in Rio de Janeiro. Currently, she is committed to improving environmental sustainability within the creative industry, aiming to bridge the gap between discourse (aesthetics) and practice (management).
    Greta Ortalli
    Greta Ortalli

    Greta Ortalli

    Research Trainee
    Greta Ortalli is a Research Trainee at KEA, where she supports the team in both research and communication efforts. She holds a BA in Communication Sciences and Culture from the Free University of Bolzano, as well as an MA in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts from the University of Bologna. Her master's dissertation focused on analyzing the impacts generated by the Italian cultural welfare project “Sciroppo di Teatro” on its main beneficiarieschildren and their families. Beginning her career in cultural communication and marketing for contemporary arts institutions such as MUSEION – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Bolzano, she then developed a keen interest in cultural management, data analysis, audience development, and impact evaluations. She further honed her skills as a Junior Consultant and Research Analyst at BAM! Strategie Culturali. Greta speaks Italian, English, German and French. 
    Greta Ortalli is a Research Trainee at KEA, where she supports the team in both research and communication efforts. She holds a BA in Communication Sciences and Culture from the Free University of Bolzano, as well as an MA in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts from the University of Bologna. Her master's dissertation focused on analyzing the impacts generated by the Italian cultural welfare project “Sciroppo di Teatro” on its main beneficiarieschildren and their families. Beginning her career in cultural communication and marketing for contemporary arts institutions such as MUSEION – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Bolzano, she then developed a keen interest in cultural management, data analysis, audience development, and impact evaluations. She further honed her skills as a Junior Consultant and Research Analyst at BAM! Strategie Culturali. Greta speaks Italian, English, German and French.