Have you ever developed networks, partnerships and collaborations with local potential stakeholders, such as charities, schools, artists and other cultural institutions? Do you know how to link to organisations which are already in contact with the target groups you are missing?
Bunker Ljubljana, Slovenia
Bunker is oriented to performing arts. It was established in 1997 as a private, non-profit institute in order to promote young performing artists through the Mladi Levi festival that was initiated in 1998. Since many other festivals have started to present emerging performing artists Bunker has expanded its commitment to performing arts through following areas: performing arts production, festivals, international cooperation through networks and collaboration projects, educational programs, discussion evenings and management of the venue located in the outskirts of Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana. The venue is in an old power station converted into the performing arts centre. It is used by Bunker, but is also service/space for other performing arts organizations.
Bunker is oriented to performing arts. It was established in 1997 as a private, non-profit institute in order to promote young performing artists through the Mladi Levi festival that was initiated in 1998. Since many other festivals have started to present emerging performing artists Bunker has expanded its commitment to performing arts through following areas: performing arts production, festivals, international cooperation through networks and collaboration projects, educational programs, discussion evenings and management of the venue located in the outskirts of Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana. The venue is in an old power station converted into the performing arts centre. It is used by Bunker, but is also service/space for other performing arts organizations.
Caos – Centro Arti Opificio Siri Terni, Italy
With over 5000 sq. meters at its disposal, CAOS is a complex centre of art production, hosting two museums, one exhibition area, one theatre, a residency centre, a library, a café- restaurant, a cinema and a special area for educational activities with about 1100 activities annual. Caos is community-oriented and artists-led initiative, with the aim to mediate between artists and communities in a participatory way.
With over 5000 sq. meters at its disposal, CAOS is a complex centre of art production, hosting two museums, one exhibition area, one theatre, a residency centre, a library, a café- restaurant, a cinema and a special area for educational activities with about 1100 activities annual. Caos is community-oriented and artists-led initiative, with the aim to mediate between artists and communities in a participatory way.
Cirkus Cirkör Norsborg, Sweden
Cirkus Cirkör (CC) is a contemporary circus company. CC offers performances on tour in Sweden and all around the world, courses and educational programmes for young people with or without functional disabilities, wellbeing and leadership development for companies, circus in elder care, upper secondary school program in contemporary circus, customised events for companies and organisations, and residencies for artists and other creatives from around the world. Central CC aims are: To establish contemporary circus as an art form in Sweden, artistically and pedagogically; to continue to develop and explore the opportunities of the contemporary circus arts; to place Sweden on the world map of contemporary circus; to inspire and be inspired by young people and the street culture; to introduce contemporary circus in quite different arenas as well as to strengthen contemporary circus as an art form; to work for and to encourage cocky commitment, quality madness and solidarity individualism.
Cirkus Cirkör (CC) is a contemporary circus company. CC offers performances on tour in Sweden and all around the world, courses and educational programmes for young people with or without functional disabilities, wellbeing and leadership development for companies, circus in elder care, upper secondary school program in contemporary circus, customised events for companies and organisations, and residencies for artists and other creatives from around the world. Central CC aims are: To establish contemporary circus as an art form in Sweden, artistically and pedagogically; to continue to develop and explore the opportunities of the contemporary circus arts; to place Sweden on the world map of contemporary circus; to inspire and be inspired by young people and the street culture; to introduce contemporary circus in quite different arenas as well as to strengthen contemporary circus as an art form; to work for and to encourage cocky commitment, quality madness and solidarity individualism.
Corners of Europe Europe-wide
A R&D project finding forms and methods for crossing cultural borders, co-creating artistic projects and connecting art and audiences. A platform for multidisciplinary and collaborative artistic projects, under the slogan ‘turning Europe inside out’, designed and driven by cultural organizations at the edges of Europe, as partners in shared responsibility. The projects and events are linked to local conditions and audiences, spreading and linking experiences and stories, creating a shared feeling of belonging, regardless of in what corner of Europe one is living. Opening new spaces for culture and art, developing forms and methods for reaching new audiences, parallel with connecting artists with different backgrounds and promoting their co-creations into projects and events that are devoted to connect to local audiences´ living conditions, needs and interests, as well as cultural empowerment.
A R&D project finding forms and methods for crossing cultural borders, co-creating artistic projects and connecting art and audiences. A platform for multidisciplinary and collaborative artistic projects, under the slogan ‘turning Europe inside out’, designed and driven by cultural organizations at the edges of Europe, as partners in shared responsibility. The projects and events are linked to local conditions and audiences, spreading and linking experiences and stories, creating a shared feeling of belonging, regardless of in what corner of Europe one is living. Opening new spaces for culture and art, developing forms and methods for reaching new audiences, parallel with connecting artists with different backgrounds and promoting their co-creations into projects and events that are devoted to connect to local audiences´ living conditions, needs and interests, as well as cultural empowerment.
John Rylands Library Manchester, UK
The John Rylands Library (JRL) is part of the University Library, which in turn is part of the University of Manchester. The library is famous for having a Gutenberg Bible and the earliest known copy of St John’s Gospel – known as the St John Fragment as well as all four folios of William Shakespeare and several important 19th century facsimiles of the First Folio. JRL is especially interesting in its audience development because of the transformation over 7 – 9 years, progressing from a prestigious but rather dusty and old-fashioned institution to a well-loved public organisation. Between 2001 and 2016 its attendances have more than doubled and it has become the number one attraction in Manchester on Trip Advisor.
The John Rylands Library (JRL) is part of the University Library, which in turn is part of the University of Manchester. The library is famous for having a Gutenberg Bible and the earliest known copy of St John’s Gospel – known as the St John Fragment as well as all four folios of William Shakespeare and several important 19th century facsimiles of the First Folio. JRL is especially interesting in its audience development because of the transformation over 7 – 9 years, progressing from a prestigious but rather dusty and old-fashioned institution to a well-loved public organisation. Between 2001 and 2016 its attendances have more than doubled and it has become the number one attraction in Manchester on Trip Advisor.
Künstlerhaus, Vienna, Austria
Künstlerhaus is a private association of Austrian artists founded in 1861. It has 439 members, all artists covering a variety of fields: fine arts, sculpture, architecture, applied arts and film. The association resides in a 2000 m2 exhibition space in the centre of Vienna, built in 1868 that will be closed from July 2016 until September 2018, due to a complete renovation of the historic building. During this period, temporary quarters will opened in an old factory, in an urban development area of Vienna.
Künstlerhaus is a private association of Austrian artists founded in 1861. It has 439 members, all artists covering a variety of fields: fine arts, sculpture, architecture, applied arts and film. The association resides in a 2000 m2 exhibition space in the centre of Vienna, built in 1868 that will be closed from July 2016 until September 2018, due to a complete renovation of the historic building. During this period, temporary quarters will opened in an old factory, in an urban development area of Vienna.
Łaźnia Nowa Theatre & Cultural Centre Krakow, Poland
The theatre building is 4,500 m2, former workshops halls of the school for mechanics, renovated and adapted as a multi-functional cultural facility. The institution is located in the very centre of the 250,000 inhabitants district of blocks of flats for steelworks employees of Nowa Huta. The theatre was attracted to start AD activities as tools for highlighting the cultural identity of residents of the Nowa Huta district. Based on earlier experience, practice and intuition, they were ready to take on the demanding work with people whose trust was manipulated, mystified and idealised through decades of local history and finally betrayed after the democratic transformation of Poland. The Theatre’s response was an affirmation of creativity, transparency and trust, providing symbolic gestures for reconciliation. To Bartosz Szydlowski Łaźnia Nowa Theatre mirrors the tradition of ancient Greece, with myths, polis and logos marking, but not determining, the sense of ‘my’ place. His dream is to develop the best cultural institution in Poland, but the goal is not reached as long as the institution runs only on the leader’s energy.
The theatre building is 4,500 m2, former workshops halls of the school for mechanics, renovated and adapted as a multi-functional cultural facility. The institution is located in the very centre of the 250,000 inhabitants district of blocks of flats for steelworks employees of Nowa Huta. The theatre was attracted to start AD activities as tools for highlighting the cultural identity of residents of the Nowa Huta district. Based on earlier experience, practice and intuition, they were ready to take on the demanding work with people whose trust was manipulated, mystified and idealised through decades of local history and finally betrayed after the democratic transformation of Poland. The Theatre’s response was an affirmation of creativity, transparency and trust, providing symbolic gestures for reconciliation. To Bartosz Szydlowski Łaźnia Nowa Theatre mirrors the tradition of ancient Greece, with myths, polis and logos marking, but not determining, the sense of ‘my’ place. His dream is to develop the best cultural institution in Poland, but the goal is not reached as long as the institution runs only on the leader’s energy.
Maison des Metallos Paris, France
The XIX century building that now hosts Maison des Metallos (MdM) was a former music instruments factory, and then became headquarters of the Union Fraternelle des Métallos, a situation that lasted for 60 years and that left an important legacy in terms of place identity. Since the Union left in 1997, the building was run by a committee of inhabitants of the neighbourhood, who occupied it because they felt it was part of local identity. They were concerned about the forthcoming gentrification, which was starting at that time in the former working class neighbourhood. This sense of belonging of the local community had an important role in pushing the municipality of Paris to buy the venue, but also created at first some tension with the occupants as the city decided to convert it in a cultural venue run by an appointed director, that opened in 2007. So the first audience “issue” that MdM had to face, was to find the way to involve and resolve this tension. The relationship with the associations and former occupants took time to be reconstructed, but it’s today an important part of the identity of MdM and of its relation with the neighbourhood.
The XIX century building that now hosts Maison des Metallos (MdM) was a former music instruments factory, and then became headquarters of the Union Fraternelle des Métallos, a situation that lasted for 60 years and that left an important legacy in terms of place identity. Since the Union left in 1997, the building was run by a committee of inhabitants of the neighbourhood, who occupied it because they felt it was part of local identity. They were concerned about the forthcoming gentrification, which was starting at that time in the former working class neighbourhood. This sense of belonging of the local community had an important role in pushing the municipality of Paris to buy the venue, but also created at first some tension with the occupants as the city decided to convert it in a cultural venue run by an appointed director, that opened in 2007. So the first audience “issue” that MdM had to face, was to find the way to involve and resolve this tension. The relationship with the associations and former occupants took time to be reconstructed, but it’s today an important part of the identity of MdM and of its relation with the neighbourhood.
Mercat de les Flors Barcelona, Spain
The Mercat de les Flors has an eclectic programme that welcomes a broad range of styles, from the experimental and the contemporary to more popular projects, such as flamenco and hip-hop. Over the last four seasons, around 50% of the audiences have attended productions from Catalonia, while 20% have seen Spanish ones, and around 30% have been for international productions.
The Mercat de les Flors has an eclectic programme that welcomes a broad range of styles, from the experimental and the contemporary to more popular projects, such as flamenco and hip-hop. Over the last four seasons, around 50% of the audiences have attended productions from Catalonia, while 20% have seen Spanish ones, and around 30% have been for international productions.
New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, UK
New Wolsey Theatre is based in Ipswich and is an independent not-for-profit organisation. They are funded by Arts Council England as one of its National Portfolio Organisations and receive local funding from Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council as well as other project funding from a variety of sources. New Wolsey Theatre is a mid-scale theatre with a mixed performance programme that combines in-house with touring productions. It has a diverse audience, a strong commitment to access and reaching parts of the community not normally engaged in the arts. This is complemented by a strong business model based on a policy of maximising earned income, especially through ticket sales, and innovative funding. Ipswich is a town with 127.000 population, a mix of ‘rural bliss’, ‘gentrified areas’ new build family housing and older working class areas. Fans of the local football club Ipswich Town are known as the ‘Tractor Boy’ indicating how the town has historically been perceived (tractors are farm vehicles).
New Wolsey Theatre is based in Ipswich and is an independent not-for-profit organisation. They are funded by Arts Council England as one of its National Portfolio Organisations and receive local funding from Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council as well as other project funding from a variety of sources. New Wolsey Theatre is a mid-scale theatre with a mixed performance programme that combines in-house with touring productions. It has a diverse audience, a strong commitment to access and reaching parts of the community not normally engaged in the arts. This is complemented by a strong business model based on a policy of maximising earned income, especially through ticket sales, and innovative funding. Ipswich is a town with 127.000 population, a mix of ‘rural bliss’, ‘gentrified areas’ new build family housing and older working class areas. Fans of the local football club Ipswich Town are known as the ‘Tractor Boy’ indicating how the town has historically been perceived (tractors are farm vehicles).
Ohi Pezoume Athens, Greece
Ever since it was founded in Athens in 2004, the Greek company Ohi Pezoume had been running site-specific as well as indoor theatre performances on a fairly regular basis (around two per year). Despite being used to the instability of an independent a theatre company, funding from the Ministry of Culture meant that they were able to carry out the 94 funded projects in a stable way, researching new narratives which would keep their path alive and dynamic. In 2011, however, the devastating economic crisis that gripped (and continues to affect) Greece meant that the company had to revise its UrbanDig Project, i.e. their process of research and production of site-specific projects, and begin putting the audience at the epicentre of its work. They went from working in theatres, apartments and other spaces to adopting
Ever since it was founded in Athens in 2004, the Greek company Ohi Pezoume had been running site-specific as well as indoor theatre performances on a fairly regular basis (around two per year). Despite being used to the instability of an independent a theatre company, funding from the Ministry of Culture meant that they were able to carry out the 94 funded projects in a stable way, researching new narratives which would keep their path alive and dynamic. In 2011, however, the devastating economic crisis that gripped (and continues to affect) Greece meant that the company had to revise its UrbanDig Project, i.e. their process of research and production of site-specific projects, and begin putting the audience at the epicentre of its work. They went from working in theatres, apartments and other spaces to adopting
St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra Vilnius, Lithuania
The ensemble took the name of St. Christopher – the patron saint of Vilnius and travellers. Their main concert hall place is St. Catherine Church (Sv. Kotrynos baznycia), that is not only one of the architectural sacred heritage jewels of the capital of Lithuania, but also since several years now, the municipality owned venue for concerts and chamber like cultural events. The orchestra does not own the place, but has a priority in use of it for rehearsals and concerts. It was one of the first churches renovated after Lithuania regained its independence. The place, due to its excellent acoustic features, is used mostly for concerts of different music ensembles, choirs, and orchestras, performing artists based in Vilnius. The place since 2006 is owned by Teachers’ House organization. This is the main orchestra location, but its activity in Vilnius and Lithuania is not reduced to this venue. The ensemble is challenging audience habits through invitation for their concerts to old industrial buildings, meadows in the forests, sand mining pit, balloon landing place, swimming pool, children library, etc.
The ensemble took the name of St. Christopher – the patron saint of Vilnius and travellers. Their main concert hall place is St. Catherine Church (Sv. Kotrynos baznycia), that is not only one of the architectural sacred heritage jewels of the capital of Lithuania, but also since several years now, the municipality owned venue for concerts and chamber like cultural events. The orchestra does not own the place, but has a priority in use of it for rehearsals and concerts. It was one of the first churches renovated after Lithuania regained its independence. The place, due to its excellent acoustic features, is used mostly for concerts of different music ensembles, choirs, and orchestras, performing artists based in Vilnius. The place since 2006 is owned by Teachers’ House organization. This is the main orchestra location, but its activity in Vilnius and Lithuania is not reduced to this venue. The ensemble is challenging audience habits through invitation for their concerts to old industrial buildings, meadows in the forests, sand mining pit, balloon landing place, swimming pool, children library, etc.
Teatro dell’Argine San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy
Teatro dell’Argine (TdA) is a social cooperative that, since the very beginning, has been based on an art project including not only production of shows, but also audience education, workshops and seminars, study and research. During the years, TdA has become a benchmark for a community made of audience, students, experts, associations and institutions. Working carefully on local level goes side by side with working on international level, realising strong co-productions, creating opportunities to meet with other cultures and 120 exchanging techniques, working methods and best practices: TdA’s international dimension comes from the need of an on-going dialogue with contemporary issues and new perspectives of European and worldwide theatre.
Teatro dell’Argine (TdA) is a social cooperative that, since the very beginning, has been based on an art project including not only production of shows, but also audience education, workshops and seminars, study and research. During the years, TdA has become a benchmark for a community made of audience, students, experts, associations and institutions. Working carefully on local level goes side by side with working on international level, realising strong co-productions, creating opportunities to meet with other cultures and 120 exchanging techniques, working methods and best practices: TdA’s international dimension comes from the need of an on-going dialogue with contemporary issues and new perspectives of European and worldwide theatre.
Trafó – House of Contemporary Arts Budapest, Hungary
Trafó – House of Contemporary Arts was established as a public institution in 1998 in a post-industrial space, after this power station built in the early 20th century was occupied by performing artists during the 1980s. This was the first centre for contemporary arts in Hungary of its kind. The venue offers various spaces (theatre hall, small studio, gallery and a club), varying in capacity from 40 to 300 seats. Unlike other Hungarian theatres that have permanent companies and repertory programs, Trafó collaborates with different companies, goes beyond the dominant performing arts language and experiments with visuals and theatre space. As stated in Trafó’s mission, it builds an open-minded venue for showcasing various genres – contemporary theatre, dance, music, new circus and other visual arts, through which it gathers diverse audience. Trafó works seasonally and offers program from September till the end of June. Provision of spaces for many different domestic and international artists 134 complicated promotion for the organization, so Trafó constantly tries to find ways to connect various art forms and practices, as well as attract visitors and build relations with them.
Trafó – House of Contemporary Arts was established as a public institution in 1998 in a post-industrial space, after this power station built in the early 20th century was occupied by performing artists during the 1980s. This was the first centre for contemporary arts in Hungary of its kind. The venue offers various spaces (theatre hall, small studio, gallery and a club), varying in capacity from 40 to 300 seats. Unlike other Hungarian theatres that have permanent companies and repertory programs, Trafó collaborates with different companies, goes beyond the dominant performing arts language and experiments with visuals and theatre space. As stated in Trafó’s mission, it builds an open-minded venue for showcasing various genres – contemporary theatre, dance, music, new circus and other visual arts, through which it gathers diverse audience. Trafó works seasonally and offers program from September till the end of June. Provision of spaces for many different domestic and international artists 134 complicated promotion for the organization, so Trafó constantly tries to find ways to connect various art forms and practices, as well as attract visitors and build relations with them.