Policies for Culture news

Action project update: Book available on the Local Cultural Strategy for Rijeka (Croatia)
'Drugo More', Rijeka has concluded its Policies for Culture initiative towards the development of a Local Cultural Strategy for the City of Rijeka with the publication of texts and statements produced during the project. The book also features essays on the various strategic recommendations identified during the project, expert reviews of the documents and a comparative analysis of other PfC projects in the field. The publication also contains a do-it-yourself kit to assemble 'Monopolis' - the Rijeka version of the board-game Monopoly for cultural strategists.
For more details visit the page dedicated to this project at Policies for Culture website, where an electronic version of the book will be soon available. Printed copies can be ordered free of charge by writing to info@policiesforculture.org.

Action project update: ARCult: Culture in the political programmes in view of the Romanian parliamentary elections (Bucharest, Romania)
On October 27, the ECUMEST Association, in partnership with the Romanian Academic Society (SAR), has organised the roundtable "Cultural policies - Alternative proposals in view of the November 2004 parliamentary elections". The event brought together representatives of the main political parties, invited to present their political proposals in the field of culture in view of the upcoming elections. The debate focused on several critical key issues in the field such as: defining priority objectives of cultural development on medium term; the level of funding for culture; the role of all cultural actors and of the research in elaborating and implementing a long term cultural policy; the reform of the public cultural institutions and of the public funding system; the role of the NGOs and their access to public funding; the role of cultural industries and of the cultural tourism in the economic development, etc. The discussions involved a large number of representatives of cultural organisations, unions, and mass media.
For more details contact the ECUMEST Association at ecumest@ecumest.ro or visit the page dedicated to this event at the ECUMEST website.

Action project update: The follow-up to the action project "The Construction of the cultural strategy for the Timis County, a model of social dialogue": national dissemination (Timisoara, Romania)
The Intercultural Institute Timisoara, initiator and coordinator of the project "The Construction of a the cultural strategy for the Timis County, a model of social dialogue", which was implemented from May 2001 to February 2002, has recently launched the follow up to this project. The present initiative is aimed at disseminating the methodology and results of the project in two development regions of Romania (gathering 12 counties), in the framework of two workshops, which took place on 15 & 17 November 2004. "The Cultural Strategy of the Timis County" was presented as a model of good practice given its contribution to the development of the local cultural scene in the Timis County. The recent workshops gathered local policymakers and representatives of public authorities, cultural institutions and organisations, and gave floor to discussions referring to potential using and implementation of the strategy in other counties. The impact expected after these debates is that it will lead to and also generate other initiatives directed to the design of local cultural strategies in several counties and to the use of the already existing expertise in this area.
For more details contact Corina Raceanu, project coordinator, at iit@intercultural.ro or visit www.intercultural.ro.

 News from the region

Albania: Towards a Balkan Union of Ministers of Culture (Tirana, October 22)
On 22nd October 2004, a meeting of specialists from the Ministries of Culture of the Balkan countries was held in Tirana, aiming to establish a Balkan Union (Forum/Council) of Ministers of Culture. Representatives of the Ministries of Culture of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and FYROM, as well as observers from Croatia and Greece attended this meeting. There were also representatives of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the European Cultural Foundation, the Danish Embassy and the European Commission's Delegation in Tirana. The Balkan Union (Forum/Council) of Ministers of Culture aims to become an efficient network between the highest cultural policy making institutions in the region. This Union is open to all Balkan countries who voice their political will to become partners. The meeting focused on the discussion of the Albanian proposal for the possible document of constitution of this Balkan Union, as well as of the further activities of this on-going functional structure. A second experts meeting will take place in Belgrade in the third week of January 2005, whereby an agreement on the draft document of creation of the Union will be sought and a strategy devised to implement this initiative.
For further information contact Arben Kumbaro, Adviser of the Minister, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Republic of Albania at arben@albmail.com.

Croatia: Cultural Policies and Cultural Development in Southeastern Europe: New Realities and Challenges (Zagreb, September 10-11)
This expert meeting was held in Zagreb, Croatia, on 10-11 September 2004, organised by Culturelink in coordination with the Department for Culture and Communication, Institute for International Relations, Zagreb. The inevitable problematic of cultural transition in SEE countries was broached, along with the issue of radical changes brought onto the region by fifteen-odd years of transition. Speakers from various SEE countries looked at a range of opportunities for cultural cooperation, with special emphasis on the possible dangers and obstacles standing in the way of such teamwork. The importance of intercultural mediation in the region is vital, it was summed up, and the meeting was concluded with plans for future cooperation and coordination among SEE countries.
Read the final report of this meeting at the Culturelink website.

 Projects and Initiatives

European Cultural Foundation launches 'Policies for Culture PLUS' - Local Cultural Policy Project in Zilina, Slovakia
In October 2004 the European Cultural Foundation and its project partners from the Foundation - Centre for Contemporary Arts, Bratislava (www.scca.sk), the local NGO Truc Sphérique (www.stanica.sk), the Regional Authorities of the VUC Zilina (www.vuc.zilina.net), the Municipality of Zilina and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic (www.culture.gov.sk) have started a large scale initiative supporting cultural development in the region of Zilina, located in the North West of Slovakia. Over the next three years the project aims to research, elaborate and politically endorse a development plan for upgrading Zilina's existing cultural assets and capitalising on them for the region's further development. The elaborated local cultural policy document later on shall become a point of reference for similar regional development projects in other administrative entities of Slovakia. The project is based on Policies for Culture's experience with the development of local cultural policy frameworks in so far 14 cities and counties of South East Europe and shall build on this know-how by involving policy experts and capacity trainers from the programme's international network. Zilina represents one of the first occasions to apply the programme principle of civic participation in local policy development outside the SEE region and hence is referred to as 'Policies for Culture PLUS' area. The project is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs ('MATRA Programme'). The Policies for Culture information services will closely follow the project's progress for providing the entire programme network with its insights and actual results.
For more information write to Philipp Dietachmair, Programme officer, at philipp@eurocult.org.

 Upcoming Events

November 17-21: Informal European Theatre Meeting Forum 2004 (Milano, Italy)
The upcoming IETM Forum 2004 will dedicate one of its sessions to analyse the Balkan – Mediterranean relations. Are the geographical divisions and the cultural preconceptions that they keep on raising in our minds still valid? Do they match our own vision of identity? Or do we need other directions, different route maps, adjusting our compass to new cooperation directions? This meeting group will focus on the Balkan – Mediterranean relations, looking for possible links, imagining new tools, avoiding old established Western Europe-oriented paths of cooperation, trying to build a sense of possibility of cooperation between the two regions, geographically and culturally connected in more ways than the existing projects let us think.
For more information contact ietm@ietm.org or visit www.ietm.org.

December 17-19: Whose Culture is it? Trans-generational approaches to Culture in today's Europe (Barcelona, Spain)
CIRCLE (Cultural Information and Research Centres Liaison in Europe) is pleased to announce the dates for this year’s round table that it will be held in the city of Barcelona from 17 to 19 December 2004. Each year CIRCLE cellebrate this annual round table with the purpose of signalled decisive trends and shifts of accent in cultural policies. For 2004 the Board proposed youth culture to be on the agenda. For further information see: www.circle-network.org.

 Opportunities

EU Support to non-governmental organisations, associations and federations of European interest
Application deadline: 30 November 2004
This call for proposals supports initiatives conducted by a) Non-governmental organisations and b) Associations and Federations of European interest, participating in European dialogue, on specific themes relating to the objectives of the programme to promote active European citizenship. Project proposals should relate to one or more of the following thematic areas, with a view to encouraging reflection and discussion on the consolidation of the European Union, and/or promoting and disseminating its values and objectives: To promote and disseminate the values and objectives of the European Union; To bring citizens closer to the European Union and its institutions and to encourage them to engage more frequently with its institutions; To involve citizens closely in reflection and discussion on the construction of the European Union; To stimulate initiatives by the bodies engaged in the promotion of active and participatory citizenship. Proposals may be submitted by non-governmental organisations and associations and federations of European interest that have legal personality and are registered in one of the 25 Member States of the European Union as from May 1 2004 and the EEA/EFTA countries, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, in accordance with the European Agreements. More information is available HERE.

The European Cultural Foundation launches the new grants scheme for 2005
Application deadline: January 31, 2005
The European Cultural Foundation has recently launched the new grants scheme for 2005. The main development as compared with last year's application process is a shift to a more flexible scheme, which asks applicants to respond, in a creative way, to the six ECF current areas of interest: intercultural competences and collaboration across borders; increased participation in the arts and media; the cultural dimension of EU enlargement; strategies for change within cultural infrastructures; creative responses to current political issues; development of a common public and cultural European space.
For more information and the application forms visit the grants section at www.eurocult.org.

S.T.E.P. beyond Mobility Fund - Reminder for Travel Support
The European Cultural Foundation mobility fund S.T.E.P. beyond (Supporting Travel for European Projects) is open to art professionals, cultural operators, cultural translators, cultural researchers and cultural journalists and it aims to stimulate cross-border cultural cooperation and exchange between all European countries. The fund encourages travel that is guided by the following principles: 1. stimulating travel between the countries of the enlarged European Union and non-EU European countries; 2. supporting individuals in the DEVELOPMENTAL phase of new cross-border projects in the field of culture and the arts; 3. allowing the individuals and cultural partners involved to initiate real cooperation and possibly enter a long-term PARTNERSHIP; 4. giving preference to exploration eastwards in order to emphasize that Europe continues beyond the eastern borders of the European Union.
For more information visit the programmes section > mobility at www.eurocult.org.

Regional Fellowships Program at New Europe College (Bucharest, Romania)
Application deadline: 16 December 2004
The New Europe College - Institute for Advanced Study - in Bucharest announces the Regional Fellowships Program in humanities and social sciences starting October 1, 2005. Targeted are researchers and academics (preferably young) from South-Eastern Europe (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, and Turkey), who are in the final stage of completing a Ph.D. program or who already have the Ph.D. title. The duration of the Fellowship is one term or a full academic year (10 months), while the location is the New Europe College in Bucharest. The Fellows are expected to work on a project to be published by the New Europe College after the end of the Fellowship, and to take part in the scientific events organised by the New Europe College. Working languages: English, French, and German. A good command of English is desirable. The deadline for sending the completed application is December 16, 2004.
For more information and the application form visit http://library.nec.ro/regional or contact Irina Vainovski-Mihai, Program Coordinator, at imihai@nec.ro.

Harvard University - The Kokkalis Fellowship Program
Application deadline: 7 January 2005
The Kokkalis Program strives to provide individuals committed to invigorating the public sector in Southeastern and East-Central Europe with educational opportunities to explore effectual and pioneering means of governance. For this reason, it awards fellowships to enable individuals from the region to pursue one of the following Master's degrees at the John F. Kennedy School
of Government, Harvard University: Master in Public Policy (MPP); Master in Public Administration (MPA2); Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID); Master in Public Administration/Mid-Career (MPA/MC). Eligible to apply for the Kokkalis Fellowship Program are
natives of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, and Turkey.
More information is available HERE.

 Publications & Information Resources

Study on the European Cities and Capitals of Culture and the European Cultural Months (1995-2004)
2004, European Commission. In 2003 the European Commission launched a tender to commission an analysis and synthesis of the events "European Capital/City of Culture" and "Cultural Months" for the years 1995 to 2004, on the basis of documented information. Within this context, Palmer/Rae Associates was selected to carry out the study. This report provides a single source of information for organisers of European Capitals of Culture, municipalities and governments, cultural operators, researchers and journalists and others interested in this and related topics. It also offers a basis for future policy-making in the field. The study focuses on the organisational and financing aspects as well as the social, economical and cultural impacts. It is divided into two parts and can be downloaded here.
The study is available for consultation HERE.

The Green Paper on the Cultural Policies of Local & Regional Authorities in Europe
October 2004, Les Rencontres - Association of European Cities and Regions for Culture. For a number of years now, elected members and representatives in charge of cultural affairs in cities and regions throughout the European continent have been leading the debate on the setting up of cultural policies in a Europe “in the making”. The "Green Paper on the cultural policies of local and regional authorities in Europe" is a written contribution to this process, which outlines the essential role played by local and regional authorities in the artistic and cultural life of our continent.
For more information write to Sylvie Tossah at sylvie.tossah@lesrencontres.org or visit www.lesrencontres.org.

Cultural Policy Education Group Study on Cultural Policy Education in CEE
October 2004. The Cultural Policy Education Group, initiative of the European Cultural Foundation, closely affiliated with the Policies for Culture network, has recently presented a study on conditions and challenges of higher education in the field of cultural policy at CEE universities. The document is based on the CPEG enquiry carried out in spring 2004 and an in-depth review of cultural policy education programmes all over Europe, undertaken by Corina Suteu. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for practical measures in the field which represents the basis for officially launching first CPEG activities in December 2004.
For more information write to cpeg@policiesforculture.org. Visit the CPEG webpage to consult this study.

Papers of the Third International Conference on Cultural Policy Research
2004. Following the Third International Conference on Cultural Policy Research, which took place in Montreal, Canada, between 25-28 August, under the organisation of François Colbert and the Carmelle and Remi Marcoux Chair in Arts Management, HEC Montreal, in cooperation with the International Journal of Cultural Policy, the papers presented during the event are now available at the conference website.
Consult them HERE.

From Pillar to Post - a comparative review of the frameworks for independent workers in the contemporary arts in Europe
November 2004. The Informal European Theatre Meeting decided to commission Judith Staines to write a simple, practical guide or comparison of the status of independents in various EU countries: a first step for those who need to find out more in detail. IETM hoped that this would be of use to the professionals as well as to civil servants looking for some practical information about what models exist and where their own countries stand, in terms of the social protection and tax regimes for artists and cultural operators. IETM is grateful to the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon for their support to the research and publication, under the Irish presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2004.
Consult the guide at the IETM website.

A Portrait of the Artist in 2015. Artistic Careers and Higher Arts Education in Europe
October 2004, Boekmanstudies, Compiled by Ingrid Janssen. The reader of the conference with the same title, which took place in Amsterdam on October 8-9, under the organisation of the European Council of Artists, outlines various projections for the future. Economist and artist Hans Abbing doesn't believe that the autonomous artist working alone will disappear. The concept of art has indeed been stretched but in practice the boundaries between authonomous and applied art remain firmly in place. Communication expert Paul Rutten is of the opinion that artists have more roles to play in the creative field than just taht of the individual autonomous artist. Media specialist Andrew Bullen puts forward a very futuristic view of working as an artist in a world radically changed by terrorism. What do these changes mean? The answers offered by this reader vary from cooperation and exchange between professional artists and arts educators to the introduction of the concept of lifelong learning for improving the employability and adaptability of future artists.
For orders write to secretariaat@boekman.nl.