The European Association of Independent Performing Arts kindly invites to a Series of Online Events / 14h – 16h CET
#1 12.12.2024 – Community Building: Uniting the Art Scene
#2 13.02.2025 – South-East Dialogue: Definitions of Art, Visibility and Funding
#3 08.05.2025 – Social Responsibility of Art
#4 12.06.2025 – Environmental Responsibility of Art
#1 12.12.2024 – Community Building: Uniting the Art Scene
While in some European countries interest groups and associations have already represented the interests of specific art scenes, such as the independent performing arts sector, for many years on the national level, other countries‘ art scenes still face an uphill battle when it comes to uniting artists and voicing their concerns and demands as one. Since the effectiveness of solidary structures and common goals in policy negotiations has been proven, this event will thus focus on how some artists and cultural workers have scrambled to establish structures in their regions in order to bring together artists to join those conversations. Artists at grassroots level, representatives from newly created arts associations and those working despite lack of funding will talk about the challenges, demands and progress they have seen in their countries.
#2 13.02.2025 – South-East Dialogue: Definitions of Art, Visibility and Funding
For this event, artists, producers and representatives from arts associations and interest groups based in Southern and Eastern European countries will come together to discuss ways of thriving without major state support. As some countries‘ art scenes rely on cooperation with other European partners and receive funding from bodies such as the Norway Grants scheme, artists and cultural organisations have had to find other means to fill the gaps of national funding opportunities. Especially independently working artists or those with a multidisciplinary approach often fall outside limited definitions of state-sponsored art practices. Questions thus arise as how to survive as an artist in those situations and how advocacy efforts and international collaboration can raise the visibility of underfunded local art scenes.
#3 08.05.2025 – Social Responsibility of Art
In a recent communique on the working conditions of artists, the European Union has reiterated its commitment to upholding artistic freedom in all member countries. However, as cultural debates have recently become more and more politicized, especially in countries with more authoritarian governmental rule, the role of the artist as a social agent has to be re-examined: What responsibility does the artist have in creating their art? Do artistic projects need to address the issues facing their communities, or should art be a site of refuge? Can it be both? These and other questions will be discussed by artists and academics working in the independent performing arts sector.
#4 12.06.2025 – Environmental Responsibility of Art
With a looming climate crisis, artists and art projects are not only asked to uphold ecologically sustainable working practices but to address environmental debates in their work as well. Repurpose, reuse and recycle have therefore driven organisational innovation, and topics concerning the planetary decay in the age of the Anthropocene have started to conquer stage and gallery. But what can the ecologically insignificant arts sector really achieve in the face of big polluters, like the car or energy sector? For this event, artists, cultural managers and sustainability experts will come together to discuss the ways in which we can effect structural change and the role of individual artistic responsibility.
Register for one or all of the events here!
POLITICS IN FOCUS #1 12.12.2024 – Community Building: Uniting the Art Scene
DEC 12th 2024, 14-16 h CET, online
Programme:
- Anna Steinkamp (BFDK | DE) in conversation with Diana Rojas (t.punkt | CH) on strategies of uniting the independent performing arts sector on a national level in countries with large regional differences.
- Ulrike Kuner (IG Freie Theaterarbeit | AT) in conversation with Zuzanna Medygrał (Unia Teatrów Niezależnych | PL) on strategies of gaining recognition as a representative organization, establishing professional structures, and keeping artists/members engaged in political activities.
- Kryštof Koláček (AND ČR | CZ) in conversation with Rolf S. Nielsen (Teatercentrum | SE) on fair pay strategies for the independent performing arts sector, comparing minimum fee recommendations to collective bargaining agreements.
Moderation: Christian Keller
Link to video recording of the event.
POLITICS IN FOCUS # 2: South-East Dialogue: Definitions of Art, Visibility and Funding
Feb 13th 2025, 14-16 h CET, online
Programme:
- Jelena Božić (Kulturanova | RS) in conversation with Barbara Poček (Glej Theatre | SI) on strategies of keeping cultural organisations going with international funding when national support falls through.
- Alexandar Hadjiev (ACT association | BU) in conversation with Yiannis Panagopoulos (Hellenic Actors Union | GR) on the current opportunities and support structures for young artists working in the independent performing arts in Bulgaria and Greece.
- Anikó Rasz (Sinarts | HU) in conversation with Marta Kondrla (AND| SK) about what kind of art is deemed “worthy of funding” under their current (far right) governments and how the independent performing arts field manages to continue to work in this difficult political climate.
Moderation: Christian Keller