In the coming months, IFACCA will profile the key aspects of its new five year strategic plan: networking, knowledge and analysis, capacity building and advocacy. In this first edition, we highlight why networking is core to IFACCA’s identity and an essential driver in achieving our vision of a world in which arts and culture thrive and are recognised by governments and peoples for their contribution to society.
IFACCA has developed a reputation for its strength as an international convenor, bringing together people from all parts of the world to exchange their experiences in advancing the value of arts and culture in society. As a broker and mediator, IFACCA creates value by providing opportunities for people and organisations to achieve better, more wide-reaching outcomes in arts and cultural policy development, advocacy and funding.
At the same time, IFACCA exists as a global network, engaging and connecting its members, fostering partnerships, and encouraging dialogue and cooperation. Since the idea of IFACCA was first discussed in 2000, the international cultural landscape has changed significantly. It is apparent that IFACCA’s value as a networker and as a network is more relevant than ever, and it must respond to global shifts by building and reinforcing horizontal connections within and between regions of the world.
As the IFACCA network continues to grow, the Federation will address the diversity of its membership, recognising that the contexts for developing arts and cultural policy and programmes can vary enormously across countries and regions, as well as across national arts councils, culture ministries and other similar agencies.
IFACCA will also create and strengthen networks among senior arts policymakers, promoting the value of peer exchange, and increasing the capacity and opportunities for professional development, collaboration and sharing of expertise between colleagues. In this way, IFACCA aims to enhance the concept of collective leadership on behalf of its members and the sector they represent.
As an example of its networking activity, IFACCA will shortly host a workshop of leaders of 16 international culture networks from Asia and Europe in Singapore. More information on the Thrive project can be found at http://ifacca.org/announcements/2015/08/07/thrive-networking-culture-leaders-workshop-be-held/
In addition, IFACCA recently co-hosted with the National Arts Council of South Africa a meeting of the African members in Johannesburg, and will be co-hosting with Arts Council Norway the next European Chapter meeting in Oslo in September. Such events are essential for exchange, sharing expertise and developing joint agendas.
At every World Summit, not only do members have an opportunity to meet colleagues from around the globe, but regional chapter meetings also provide the opportunity for members to come together to share local issues with their regional colleagues.
Save the date for IFACCA’s major networking platform: 7th World Summit on Arts and Culture to be co-presented with the Arts Council Malta, in Valletta, 18-21 October 2016.
Through a range of international, regional and sub-regional gatherings in partnership with key government and international organisations, IFACCA is committed to facilitating international network development and facilitating connections between arts and cultural leaders from government agencies with their counterparts from civil society, academia and other institutions.
For more information and access to our resources on networking, please search through our topics and themes pages on our website or visit: http://www.ifacca.org/topic/networks-transnational-arts-projects/.