Annemie Vanackere studied philosophy in Leuven and Paris, as well as theater and film studies in Leuven for one year afterwards. She has worked as production manager for STUC and the festival KLAPSTUK, and in 1993 she took over the artistic directorship of the Nieuwpoorttheater in Ghent. From 1995 to 2011 Annemie Vanackere was employed at the Rotterdamse Schouwburg, since 2001 as artistic co-director of the Rotterdamse Schouwburg as well as director of the affiliated Productiehuis Rotterdam. Until 2011 Annemie Vanackere was also artistic director of "De Internationale Keuze van de Rotterdamse Schouwburg", the annual international theater, dance, and performance festival that she co-founded in Rotterdam. Since September 2012 she has been the artistic and managing director of HAU Hebbel am Ufer in Berlin, which she relaunched with her team on November 1, 2012.

HAU Hebbel am Ufer produces and presents contemporary artistic positions that explore the intersection of theatre, dance, and performance. In addition, music, visual arts, and theoretically oriented discursive events are core components of the diverse program. Instead of relying on a permanent ensemble, HAU develops and presents international co-productions, festivals, and projects realized within and beyond Berlin’s international dance and theatre scene. HAU Hebbel am Ufer is also executive producer of the international “Tanz im August” festival.