Bio
Frank Kimenai is a Rotterdam-based researcher and consultant, specializing in the music sector and the broader cultural and creative industries (CCIs). With a formal background in ecology and over 25 years of experience in the music and creative sectors, Frank bridges the worlds of culture, economy, policy, and the social domain. He is particularly interested in future proofing Europe’s the cultural and creative ecosystem, and the role of grassroots initiatives in fostering fair, equitable, sustainable, and resilient futures. Currently, Frank works as a researcher and senior advisor at Brussels based consultancy firm KEA European Affairs, where he advises a wide range of governments, institutes, and organizations on policy, funding, and strategic development. His clients include, amongst others, the European Commission, the Federation of Music Conferences, and the newly founded Norwegian institute for AI and the CCI’s, MishMash. On a national level, he is a sought-after advisor for CCIs and cultural funding institutes, focusing on innovation, and international strategy. In parallel, Frank is pursuing a PhD at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where his research centers around the resilience of music ecosystems. His work explores how the music sector can adapt and thrive as a complex system, with an emphasis on socio-economic sustainability and systemic change. Frank is a frequent public speaker, moderator, and curator, contributing to leading conferences such as SXSW, ADE, ESNS, and Reeperbahn. Beyond his professional activities, he hosts a country music radio show and is transforming his family’s farmland into a forest. For a full overview of his work activities over the last two decades, please check Linked In.