Canary Islands Voids Music Festival Director Search
The Canary Islands International Music Festival's search for a new director has been cancelled after an evaluation committee deemed submitted projects unsuitable, though the 2026 festival program remains secure.
The regional government's Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture announced on Friday that the process to choose a new director for the Canary Islands International Music Festival (FIMC) has been cancelled. This decision came after an evaluation committee reviewed all the applications and recommended voiding the process, finding the submitted projects weren't suitable to meet the festival's current and future challenges.
The evaluation committee, made up of respected professionals from the music and cultural sectors, submitted its final report. It highlighted several areas that need to be reviewed and adjusted for future application calls, to better align with technical standards. The Ministry emphasized that the entire process was conducted with transparency, rigor, and institutional respect.
The committee members were Víctor Pablo Pérez, Clara Marrero, Celso Andrés Albelo, Carmen Cruz, Jorge Perdigón, José Luis Rivero, Tilman Kuttenkeuler, and Laura Vega.
The Board of Directors of the Canary Islands Institute for Cultural Development (ICDC) unanimously approved this decision during its meeting on Thursday, chaired by Minister Migdalia Machín. The board thanked all applicants, both local and international, for their interest, time, and dedication.
The festival's program for 2026 is secure. It was planned by the outgoing director, Jorge Perdigón, in his role as artistic advisor, ensuring the ICDC can deliver it without changes. Minister Migdalia Machín stated, "I want to convey a message of absolute calm. The 2026 edition of the FIMC is completely guaranteed. The program was already designed, and the ICDC will execute it with complete solvency, as it has done in every edition."
Following the cancellation of the selection process, the Ministry of Culture will now begin a period of review to decide on the next steps. The goal is to appoint the FIMC's new artistic director as quickly as possible and in line with current laws. Machín added, "In any case, we will act with rigor, institutional respect, and always keeping in mind the cultural excellence of the Archipelago." Meanwhile, planning for the 2027 edition is still underway.