Lidia Varbanova

Lecturer Assistant Professor, Department of Management

Dr. Lidia Varbanova has over 20 years of professional experience as a consultant, lecturer and researcher in more than 50 countries worldwide. She has provided consultancy and research services for government authorities, foundations, organizations, businesses, associations and networks in Canada and abroad.

Dr. Varbanova has received a number of research grants and awards, among them: FULBRIGHT Fellowship in Economics; Fellowship Grant by the Japan Foundation; NISPAcee Fellowship; Post-Doctoral Research Grant by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; ARTSLINK Fellowship at the UCLA, California.

Dr. Varbanova has published in: The Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society, Canadian Journal of Communication, Culturelink publication series, European Cultural Foundation discussion papers. Her current research interests are in the areas of strategy and entrepreneurship, with special emphasis on international business, policy and strategy, and the cross-cultural aspects of these issues. Her latest book is on Strategic Management in the Arts, published by Routledge in November 2012. Formerly on the editorial board of the International Journal of Cultural Policy, Vice-President of the European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centers and Board member of Cultural Information and Research Centers Liaison in Europe.

Before joining JMSB Management faculty in August 2010, Dr. Varbanova has been a regular visiting professor in distinguished universities and training centers abroad, among them: City University, London; Sibelius Academy, Helsinki; International Center of Culture and Management, Salzburg; University of Arts, Belgrade; key capacity building programs of the European Cultural Foundation and many more. Among her former positions are: Program Director, the Open Society Institute and Dean, Associate Professor, Department of Social and Cultural Management, University of National and World Economy.

An internationally acclaimed conference speaker and moderator, Dr. Varbanova is an active member of several Canadian and international professional associations and networks.

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Selected Research

• Refereed Journal Articles
• Books
• Book Chapters
• Refereed Conference Proceedings
• Invited Research Talks and Workshops

Refereed Journal Articles

Varbanova, L. (2007). The European Union Enlargement Process: Culture in between National Policies and European Priorities. The Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society, May, 2007.

Varbanova, L. (2004). The Enlargement as Seen in Bulgaria. Culture International Journal. Dec2003-Jan2004, pp.13 – 21.

Varbanova, L. (2002). Is there any Social Cohesion in the Bulgarian Multicultural Society?. Making Connections: Culture and Social Cohesion in the New Millennium, Canadian Journal of Communication, No:2&3, p.153_162.

Varbanova, L. (2001). Cultural Policy in Bulgaria: Finding the Way. Cultural Policies Journal, No:132, pp. 4-5.

Varbanova, L. (2000). Balkans and Tolerance.  Theatre Journal, No:5&6, pp.6-10.

Varbanova, L. (1998). Education and Training in Arts Management and Cultural Administration in Central and Eastern Europe. National Cultural Policy Debate, Institute of Cultural Studies Journal, pp.72-79

Varbanova, L. (1997). International and National Networking.  College Education Journal, June/1997.

Varbanova, L. (1996). Theoretical Aspects of the Economics of the Performing Arts in the Developed Countries.  The Economic Journal of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 03/1996, pp. 75-83.

Varbanova, L. & Lulanski, P. (1995). The Culture of Sofia – on the Crossroad between Paradoxes and Optimism. European Journal of Cultural Policy, No:2, pp 22-37.

Varbanova, L. (1995). Regional Cultural Policy Aspects in the Transition Period. The Economics Journal, No:8, p.38-43

Books

Varbanova, L. (2013) Strategic Management in the Arts. New York and London: Routledge.

Varbanova, L. (2010). Strategic Planning for Learning Organizations in the Cultural Sector. Chisinau: European Cultural Foundation/Soros Foundation.

Varbanova, L. , Dragojevic, S. (2004). Cultural Policy and Management in Central Asia: Training Series (2004). Almaty:  UNESCO.

Varbanova, L. (1997). Arts Management. Sofia: University of National and World Economy Publishing House “Stopanstvo” .

Varbanova, L. (1998). Human Resource Management Textbook. Plovdiv: Polvdiv University Publishing House.

Varbanova, L. (1997). Sponsorship and Donations in the Arts. Sofia: University of National and World Economy Publishing House "Stopanstvo".

Book Chapters

Andreeva, D.; Tomova, B. & Varbanova, L. (2009). Cultural Tourism Goes Virtual: Audience Development in Southeast European Countries: The case of Bulgaria. In: Jelinicic, Daniela (Ed.), Cultural Tourism Goes Virtual. Zagreb: Institute for International  Relations, pp. 53-69.

Varbanova, L. (2008). The Online Power of Users and Money: Can Culture Gain?. In: Uzelac, A. & Cvjeticanin, B. (Eds.), Digital Culture: The Changing Dynamics. Zagreb: Institute of International Relations, pp. 167-180.

Varbanova, L. (2008). My Daily Portion of Cultural Diversity. In: Managing Diversity? Art And (The Art Of) Organisational Change. Amsterdam: The European Cultural Foundation, pp. 90-93.

Varbanova, L. (2007). Our Creative Cities Online. In: Svob-Dokic, N. (Ed.). The Creative City: Crossing Visions and New Realities in the Region. Zagreb: Institute of International Relations. Pp. 9-18.

Varbanova, L. (2005). Mind the Financial Gap! Rethinking State Funding for Culture in South-East Europe.  In: Weeda, H.; Suteu, C. & Smithyjsen, C. (Eds.), The Arts, Politics and Change: Participative Cultural Policy Making in South-East Europe. Amsterdam: Boekman studies/European Cultural Foundation/ECUMEST Association. Pp. 122-135.

Varbanova, L. (2005). Managing Information Flow through Cultural Portals. In: Svob-Dokic, N. (Ed.).The Emerging Creative Industries in Southeastern Europe,  Zagreb: Institute for International Relations, pp. 157-167.

Varbanova, L. (2005). What Contribution can Cultural Educational Policy and Practice make to Social, Economic and Cultural Competencies of Our Nations?. In: Catalyst Conference Discussion Papers. Liverpool. pp. 52-60.

Varbanova, L. (2003). Financing Cultural Practices in South-Eastern Europe. In: Policies for Culture Publication Series. Bucharest: ECUMEST Association/European Cultural Foundation, pp. 2-12.

Varbanova, L. (2001). Challenges and Opportunities in Fundraising through Networking. In: The Role of the Arts in Process of Social Change. Bucarest: Arts and Education network, pp.13-21.

Varbanova, L. (2000). Performing Arts Market.  In: Lulanski, P.  & Velikov, N. (Eds.), Market and Non-Market Defects in the Socio-Cultural Sphere. University of National and World Economy Publishing House,  pp.114-135.

Schwarz, I. & Varbanova, L. (2000). Linking Cultural Management to Local Development: the Role of Trans-national Cultural Networks. In:  INCLUDE - The Cultural Management as Key Agent for Local Development. Barcelona: Interarts. Pp. 42-55.

Dimitrova, A, & Varbanova, L. (2000). Pluriculturality: On the Margin between the Cultural Policy and Educational Practice. In:  Baier-Allen, S. & Cucic, L. (Eds.). The Challenges of Pluriculturality in Europe.  Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellscaft. pp. 171-182.

Varbanova. L. (2000). Breaking Down Barriers. In: Chronicle. Amsterdam Summer University. Pp. 60-67.

Varbanova, L. (1998). Teaching Public Management in Bulgaria. In: Teaching of Public Management. SIGMA/ University of Ottawa, pp. 91-95.

Varbanova, L. (1997). The New Role of Cultural Administration in the Emerging Democracies (1997). Professionalization of Public Servants in Central and Eastern Europe, SIGMA/University of Ottawa.

Varbanova, L. (1997). Non-profit Organisations and Sponsorship Relations. In: NGO Management Handbook, Sofia. pp. 30-42.

Varbanova, L. (1997). Arts Marketing in the Post-Totalitarian Societies. In: Socio-Cultural Market: Challenges of the Transition. Sofia: University of National and World Economy Publishing House “Stopanstvo”, pp. 125-135.

Varbanova, L. (1994). Programming and Marketing. In: Cultural Policy and Management in the United Kingdom, University

Refereed Conference Proceedings

Varbanova, L.  (2000). Arts and Culture Network Program of OSI-an Important Member of the Foundations’ Family in Central and Eastern Europe.  In: Culture-Social Cohesion-Civil Society. Vienna: CIRCLE seminar.

Varbanova, L. (1996). Training Artists in Arts Management-Current Situation and Trends in Central and Eastern Europe.  In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Cultural Economics, Tokyo.

Varbanova, L. (1999). The Training Needs in Cultural Management in Central and Eastern Europe.  In: Arts Administration and Cultural Management Training in Eastern European Countries. Strasbourg:  ENCATC/Council of Europe.

Varbanova, L. (1993). Performing Arts Management in the Post-Totalitarian Society . In:  Proceedings of the International Conference on Theatre Management in Nagoya, Japan, 14-18 July/1993.

Invited Research Talks and Workshops

Varbanova, L. (October 2008). Stimulating Young Researchers in the field of Cultural Policy. ENCATC Annual Conference and Young researchers forum, Lyon, France.

Varbanova, L. (June 2008). Gathering Online Resources on Intercultural Dialogue. Rainbow Platform for Intercultural Dialogue meeting, Brussels, Belgium.

Varbanova, L. (June 2008). Sustainability Education in Canada, working group meeting, McConnell Family Foundation, Montreal, Canada.

Varbanova, L. (May 2008). The Creative Construct: Building for Culture and Creativity Symposium, Ottawa, Canada.

Varbanova, L. (March 2008). Contribution of Culture to Local Economy. International Forum on the Creative Economy, Conference Board of Canada, Ottawa, Canada.

Varbanova, L. (June 2007). Cultural Cooperation in Europe Online: LabforCulture Portal. Let’s talk European: Towards a European public sphere, media summit, Prague, Czech Republic.

Varbanova, L. (April 2007). Teaching Management and Strategy in the Cultural Sector. Training of Trainers for Capacity Building for Cultural Policy in Turkey, Biligi University Istanbul.

Varbanova, L. (May 2006). Facing Diversity and Multiculturalism in Arts Management Training.  Competence in Diversity, Diversity in Competence, ENCATC international workshop,  Bratislava, Slovakia.

Varbanova, L. (May 2005). Cultural Policy Models in Central Asia. Cultural Diversity of Central Asia, UNESCO Round Table and Festival, Paris, France.

Varbanova, L. (August 2004).  In Search of New Models of Cooperation. IFACCA/ISSEC Research Workshop “Looking for New Connections”, Montreal, Canada.

Varbanova, L. (May 2003). Local Cultural Strategy in South-East Europe: Building on Practice and Experience. International Conference, Policies for Culture, Bucharest, Romania (May 2003).

Varbanova, L. (April 2004). From Theatre Policy to Artistic Practice. Informal European Theatre Meeting, Annual Assembly, Budapest, Hungary.

Varbanova, L. (June 2003). Strategic Approaches to Cultural Cooperation on the Balkans. International Experts meeting on the project  “Enlargement of Minds”, European Cultural Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Varbanova, L. (April 2003). Changing Realities: Use of Online Technologies in Ats Management Practice. International Conference on e-culture, CIRCLE-CULTURELINK, Zagreb,  Croatia.

Varbanova, L. (March 2003). Round table of experts on current situation in arts management training in Europe, Boekman foundation, Amsterdam.

Varbanova, L. (May 2003). Strategic Approaches to Local Development in the Balkans. Policies for Culture Regional Debates on Local Cultural Strategies, Bucharest, Romania.

Varbanova, L. (June 2003). Cultural Policy: in Search of a Model. Conference on Balkan Cultural Policy, Ohrid, Macedonia.

Varbanova, L. (June 2003). In Search of an Efficient Model for Supporting the Arts.  International  Round Table on Comparative Cultural Policies, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Varbanova, L. (December 2002). Legislative Changes in the cultural sector in Central Asia. International round table “Comparative Cultural Policies in Central Asia”, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Varbanova, L. (November 2002). International Panel Discussion on EU Accession and the Role of Culture, European Forum of Arts and Heritage. Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Varbanova, L. (October 2002). Policy Colloquium Culture in the Future Architecture of Europe, organized by the European Cultural Foundation and European Forum of Arts and Heritage, Brussels, Belgium.

Varbanova, L. (June 2001). Volunteering in Central and Eastern Europe: Issues and Solutions. Volunteerism in the Arts, CIRCLE Round Table, Newcastle, UK.

Varbanova, L. (June 1999). Cultural Cooperation Policies and Practices in Central and Eastern Europe. International Cultural Cooperation Policies  Whose Agenda is it Anyway”, Krakow, Poland.

Varbanova, L. (September 1996). Labour-Management Contract System in the Performing Arts. International workshop on Labour Market in the Arts, Helsinki, Finland.

Varbanova, L. (September, 1996). Projects in the Arts as Tools for International Cooperation. International Seminar on Mediterranean Cultural Co-operation, Barcelona, Spain.

Varbanova, L. (September 1996).  Crossing Borders and Artistic Mobility: Challenges for Easter Europe. Shortcut Europe Project, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Varbanova, L. (April, 1994). Emerging Arts Management Education in Bulgaria. International Seminar on Arts Management Training and Education. Council of Europe, Strasbourg