HEYA in Le Suricate: Looking back on an interview with Loïc Smars
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Loïc Smars, founder and editor-in-chief of the online cultural magazine Le Suricate, about HEYA, the Here You Art platform, and the challenges currently shaping the arts and cultural sector.
The interview was an opportunity to revisit the origins of the project, the observations that led to its creation, and the vision that has guided its development from day one.
Why HEYA was created
During the interview, I reflected on my background in the performing arts and on a question that stayed with me throughout my years working in a theatre: why is it so difficult to find information about the people who make up artistic and cultural teams?
Artists, technicians, production managers, communication professionals, administrators... we constantly work with new people, yet there are very few tools that make it easy to identify their skills, experience, or availability. It was from this observation that the idea of creating a professional directory specifically designed for the cultural sector emerged.Breaking Down Disciplinary Barriers
Another important topic discussed with Loïc was the fragmentation of the sector.
Today, many platforms already exist, but they are often organized by discipline: performing arts, music, audiovisual, literature, visual arts, and so on. Yet the reality on the ground is far more interdisciplinary. Within a single project, it is common to work alongside photographers, videographers, musicians, writers, dancers, or scenographers.
One of HEYA’s ambitions is precisely to build bridges between these different worlds and encourage collaborations that go beyond the usual circles.
A key takeaway from the interview
If there is one idea to remember from this conversation, it would probably be this:
“Our added value lies in connecting people and creating synergies.”
This sentence captures a large part of HEYA’s philosophy. Digital tools should not create barriers. On the contrary, they can become a way to facilitate encounters, reveal talents and skills that often go unnoticed, and help people access opportunities beyond their immediate network.
And what about the Heya Sessions?
The interview also explores the Heya Sessions, evenings that combine artistic discoveries, professional networking, and informal conversations.
Like the platform itself, they were born from the same desire: to create connections. While Here You Art facilitates encounters online, the Heya Sessions extend them into the real world.
Because behind every project, there is often a meaningful encounter. And behind every encounter, an opportunity.
Read the full interview
If you would like to read the complete conversation with Loïc Smars, you can find the interview published by Le Suricate: Meeting Mélanie Lefebvre, Founder of HEYA.