The latest general assembly on May 8th, 2024, brought some structural news: Kryštof Koláček from the Czech association AND ČR was elected as new president.
This dossier provides new insights into the European independent performing arts sector. It is a collection of EAIPA’s research output, policy recommendations and event reports, which spotlights the current working conditions and support structures for independent performing artists in Europe. This includes comparative analyses of different national and regional funding and fair pay structures as well as social insurance and intermittency systems. It also surveys other overlooked areas, such as mental health support, career transition opportunities and the overall role of arts as public health service.
The European umbrella organisation The European Association of Independent Performing Arts was founded in September 2018. EAIPA represents the interests of professionals working in Europe’s independent performing arts scene and responds to Europe’s cultural policymaking by means of data collection and new policy proposals.
The situation of the independent theatre scene in Poland is far more complex than it appears to be. It is therefore worth mentioning specific numbers at the outset. According to statistics from the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute in Warsaw, there are almost 800 independent entities actively operating in Poland. This number includes companies with a legal title (foundations, associations), private theatres (operating as a business), informal collectives and freelance artists.
Author: Katarzyna Knychalska
Picture: © Natalia Kabanow
#1 09.11.2023 – Mental health in focus
#2 18.01.2024 – Career support
#3 14.03.2024 – Arts as public health service
#4 23.05.2024 – Chain of responsibilities: funding politics
EAIPA invites to an informal exchange amongst colleagues: in the spirit of “sharing and caring”, we would like to compare notes and share experiences in environmentally sustainable production and touring of independent performing art works.
EAIPA project manager Esther Baio interviewed Danscentrum Sverige’s general manager Amy Fee and shares in this article how she learned about the Swedish dance scene, their stake holders and how the Dansplan Sverige came together.
Author: Esther Baio
This article aims to describe the general situation of performing arts in Kosovo: from problems and difficulties to actuality. In conclusion, although small in number, the work of the independent performing arts scene still gives much hope for the future.
Author: Valton Marku
© Qendra Multimedia – Burrnesha – Agon Mehmeti
In October 2022, EAIPA’s Bulgarian member, ACT Association, hosted the European Association of Independent Performing Arts in Sofia for its extra-ordinary general assembly. In this context, numerous meetings, working sessions and presentations took place to connect and strengthen the relationship of associations from all over Europe.
On November 10th 2022, we held an Online Event focusing on ‘funding structures for the independent performing arts in Europe’. As a result of our survey and the Online Event we hereby recommend specific topics.