We interviewed Xènia Gaya, the candidate selected in the first edition of the Irene Vázquez Scholarship to carry out the General Management Program – PDG of EADA. Xènia is a Catalan entrepreneur who launched in 2020 the Col·lectiu Cultura project, which brings together and seeks synergies between all the protagonists of the culture value chain, such as creators, producers and cultural managers. In fact, this scholarship pays tribute to the founder of EADA, Irene Vázquez, and aims to help develop the best talent by promoting the future of women entrepreneurs in the cultural field. As Xènia tells us in the following interview, her purpose is to contribute to a better world through culture.
How did the Col·lectiu Cultura project come about?
I am a cultural manager. I have spent the last 20 years working in cultural events, fundraising and production. Five years ago, I decided to leave the city and discover other parts of Catalonia. I went south, to non-metropolitan areas, as I like to call them. This move led me to discover the need to create an entrepreneurial project that helps to bring visibility to all of the agents and cultural managers in these areas. Col·lectiu Cultura is a common space to value the impact that culture and creativity have on the economic, social and cultural development of the territory. It is the reference creative network where all the protagonists of the culture value chain meet, from creators to producers and cultural managers.
How do you think the Irene Vázquez Scholarship is going to help you promote this project?
Having the opportunity of undertaking the EADA’s General Management Programme -PDG- thanks to the Irene Vázquez Scholarship is the boost I needed to keep on advancing with my Col·lectiu Cultura project. It will allow me to expand knowledge and skills on resource amortization, leadership or team management that I do still need to become a great entrepreneur in the cultural sector. Without a doubt, EADA’s programme will give me all the tools I need.
Why do you think it is important to support the world of culture with initiatives like the Irene Vázquez Scholarship?
It is important to support the world of culture because culture is a transversal and cohesive axis. Those of us who work in this field and do it with passion, need to make visible this creativity. In this pandemic period we have seen that culture is more necessary than ever.
What is your purpose?
In my entrepreneurial project, my purpose is to identify the needs of the cultural sector in non-metropolitan areas and give them the tools they need. Above all, my purpose is to make the existing resources profitable, to unite resources in order to amortise them, instead of reinvesting or making new investments; take advantage of everything we already have and advance in the right direction. One of the main challenges we face at Col·lectiu Cultura is to break down boundaries with the sector to bring culture closer. What we really want is to achieve a social change and a change of system and communication between us.
How would you define a leader with a purpose?
A professional or manager with a purpose is someone who knows how to make all resources profitable and knows how to listen to people.
What can professionals do to align the company’s purpose with the common good?
In order to align the company’s purpose with the common good, I believe that professionals need to look around them, listen and know how to transmit and provide all the necessary resources to fulfil this purpose.
What is your next challenge in terms of purpose?
My next challenge in terms of purpose is to join forces, especially with public institutions, so that we are not seen as enemies, bust as allies to build a better world and a society which can experience much more.