Jan Staes is a dramaturg, art educator and researcher. He is currently study leader of the Master Arts Education at Fontys Schools of the Arts Tilburg and researching arts education at the Royal Conservatory of the Antwerp School of the Arts. He lead CANON, the Cultural Unit of the Department of Education Flemish Community, for ten years and was also intendant arts, culture and youth policy for the city of Antwerp for several years.