Karen Toftegaard

I love my place. I have planted small reminders about choosing joy, choosing creativity every day, every season. I trust that both joy and creativity show up in different shapes. Curious to see what it looks like today. Good morning. #ichoosejoy #creativity #myplace #copenhagen #nordic #danish #home #living #design #reflectandrise

One of the best take aways from our trip to Japan is that we now make sushi together. Far from perfect however so much fun in the kitchen and so much taste at the dinnertable 💕🙏💕 #sushi #fish #crevette #nigiri #salmon #ginger

We ran the SHINE YOUR WORK workshop again today as part of the @edfringe industry programme. Its purpose is to equip artists and producers with tools to promote their work and stay on track during the marathon that is @edfringe . One participant, Roger, shared how he had arrived in the first week with a show he arrogantly assumed was great—without asking anyone for feedback beforehand, because he was so experienced. The show flopped. After just one week, he was ready to go home. But then he started listening to people. He reworked the show, centering it on his own story—and suddenly, he had something great. It's a powerful reminder of how a growth mindset and the willingness to improve, step by step, every single day, can make all the difference in how your EdFringe unfolds. #shineyourwork #edfringe #improvement

Thank you @sthlmdans for a wholesome festival experience. I went there with an intention to share and get more clarity on Regenerative Business Frameworks in the Arts - in a festival perspective - and left with several examples on a regenerative approach - in the venues/locations, integrated in the festival and in artist mindsets. Thank you Letterstedtska Föreningen for support to this sharing- and research trip.

This week we launched the fifth edition of the #DANISH showcase at @edfringe . Festival season has begun and I'm looking very much forward to August. See much more about the great shows at @danishedfringe P.S. - the article from WhatsonEdinburgh is about this year's showcase with one of our favourite photos from last year's #DANISH reception at @lady_n_thebear #edfringe #wildtopia @dongnudk @himherandit @open_operanord @_nolands_ @summerhallery @zoovenues @wildtopia.dk michelle mangan @denmarkinuk

@gandinijuggling ready to move in magical ways at @musikteatret_albertslund #HEKA

Regenerative is about the whole picture - going beyond sustainability and asking - how can we contribute in ways, that are valuable - not only for ourselves but for the whole ecosystem? Three days of intense, fun and inspiring research process together in Copenhagen. We look forward to sharing more about this. Best, Gulli & Karen Thank you KiMa from Re:transform for great sparring. @reartica.no @gullisekse @karentoftegaard @wildtopia.dk @statenskunstfond @kulturradet @aceagrams @julies_bicycle #regenerative

From wild koalas to wild ideas at @adlfringe ! 🐨✨ It was fantastic to visit Adelaide, Australia. Beyond the thrill of spotting three wild koalas, I was truly inspired by the vibrant performing arts festivals - @adlfringe and @adelaidefestival . I already knew the different festival circuits well. But Adelaide’s softer, more intimate energy - despite hosting an impressive 1,600 shows this year - really stood out. Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the scale, maybe it's the fact that "care" is a big part of the Australian performing arts practice... I had the chance to speak with several Fringe festival directors. The open-access, artist-first ethos (including industry development) is what makes these festivals so special. Yet, commercial pressures - high accomodation costs, artists bearing all the risk, and the loud promotion of commercial work - can sometimes overshadow these values. After having done these kinds of programmes in both Copenhagen and Edinburgh ( @edfringe ) for 9 years I tend to more often advice people not to go if they are not ready to bring their best (fringe)work and make the very most of it. It's all about being clear and honest, so people invest in what truly aligns with and amplify their work. That’s why it was encouraging to hear a US Fringe director share that they’ve started excluding venues that don’t support and take care of the artists. It is important with leadership taking care of the field by making choices that supports the core of the entrepreneurial fringe-spirit: creating opportunities for artists to reach their audiences - nationally and internationally. @wildtopia.dk is dedicated to festival and industry development and I was happy to facilitate the festival edition of our signature workshop SHINE YOUR WORK as part of @adlfringe 's industry development programme Honey Pot. Giving tools to feel good about promoting your work - even though you always hated it. #festivals #adelaidefringe #edfringe #australia #shineyourwork @denmarkinaustralia Video-edit: Barbara Hryciuk

Min mor syede denne kjole til mig, da jeg var omkring 4 år - "Stedmoderblomst-kjolen". Jeg gav mine kjoler navne, da jeg var barn. Min bedstefar havde en kjole med hjem til mig fra hans tur til Afrika og den hed selvfølgelig "Afrika-kjolen". Stedmoderblomst-kjolen har hængt på min boghylde siden min mors begravelse i august sidste år. Jeg ved, at det var bedst for hende at tage afsted - væk fra en krop, der ikke kunne mere og gjorde mere og mere ondt. Min mor lærte mig altid at mærke på stoffet, for at få en fornemmelse af kvaliteten - og at se på snit. Når jeg havde ideer til et sæt tøj, så var min mor utroligt god til at kreere det - standarddansekjolerne, ballonkjole samt nålestribet vest og bukser - bare for at nævne nogle. Vi har gennemset rigtigt mange Burda blade sammen (if you know you know). Og det var noget, vi havde sammen - som sådan nogle rare, kreative stunder - midt i hverdagen. Derfor hænger kjolen på min boghylde❤️ Det er ikke en mærkedag i dag. Det er en helt almindelig onsdag, hvor jeg sender en varm, taknemmelig tanke til min mor, der var et utroligt kreativt menneske.

Women supporting women is one of the most powerful drivers of progress. Here’s to celebrating women who create — in every way. #internationalwomensday #entrepreneurship #create #creativemindsmatter #creativeactionsmatter

We had a lovely time together during the festival edition of the SHINE YOUR WORK. The purpose is simple - feel good about promoting your work - even if you hate it...and forget to breathe. After the workshop an artist came to talk. We had a talk about owning ones work and not using a lot of your energy to convince people about the value of your work - especially not the ones who don't like it. It's okay. Find the people who enjoy your work and nurture that. And get really good at what you are doing. Then it will grow more naturally and you use your energy better. She ended the conversation by asking: "May I give you a hug?" - "Sure". It's especially for people like her this festival edition is for. People who step out of their comfortzone and choose to walk the road less travelled - and grow both personally and artistically. Thank you @adlfringe for the invitation❤️ #shineyourwork #festival #honeypot #performingarts #australia Photo: @loueloueloue

Denmark → Adelaide, Australia in one week In one week, I’m bringing SHINE YOUR WORK from Denmark to Adelaide. I’ve delivered this workshop at @edfringe , and now I’ll be working with artists and producers at @adlfringe . Looking forward. If visibility, self-promotion, or selling your work makes you uncomfortable - this session is for you. Date: Thursday 5 March Time: 10:30am to 12pm Location: FringeWORKS at Tandanya, 253 Grenfell Street, Adelaide #shineyourwork #adelaide #honeypot #festival #AdelaideFringe #AdelaideFringe2026 #PerformingArtists #TheatreMakers #IndependentArtists #ArtsProfessionals #FringeWorks #ArtistVisibility #OwnYourValue #CreativeBusiness #SelfPromotion #GlobalCreatives #FestivalLife #FromDenmarkToAustralia Video edit: @barbarahryciuk Video recording: Sara Bozc