Image (left to right): Magdalena Moreno Mujica, Simon Mellor, Anette Østerby and Iva Lulić.
Credit: Ministry of Culture, Croatia

On Friday 18 October 2019 the Ministry of Culture, Croatia hosted a public forum that explored international perspectives on participatory approaches to arts and culture, in partnership with Kultura Nova Foundation and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA). The forum explored different types of participation and citizen engagement: from participatory cultural projects and artistic practices, to participatory policy making, governance and grant making. The forum took place at RiHub, Rijeka and comprised of two panel sessions featuring international guests.

The public forum opened with a welcome and introduction from Emina Višnić, Chief Executive Officer of Rijeka 2020. The first session explored how major national initiatives – such as the European Capital of Culture – embrace participatory approaches to arts and culture, the session was moderated by Magdalena Moreno Mujica, Executive Director of IFACCA and included perspectives from Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Culture at Arts Council England; Anette Østerby, Head of Visual Art and Danish Arts Foundation at the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces; and Iva Lulić, Development and Strategic Partnerships Associate at Rijeka 2020, Croatia.

The second session considered how participatory approaches to governance can dismantle traditional hierarchies and open discussions with governments, communities and artists. The session was moderated by Davor Mišković, President of Drugo more, Croatia and included perspectives from Andreja Kulunčić, Visual Artist, Croatia; Andreas Moos, Head of Funding and Cultural Promotion at Pro Helvetia, Switzerland; Dušica Radojčić from Social Centre Rojc, Croatia; and Domagoj Šavor from Clubture Network, Croatia.