BOZAR, Brussels - 25-26 October, 2010
On October 25-26th, different supporting institutions for the arts in Flanders will organize a two-day conference on sustainable international arts policies in the context of the Belgian EU presidency.
The intention is
• to map international artistic practice in all its diversity;
• to shed more light on the main obstacles to working internationally;
• to put forward a number of tools and recommendations towards future-oriented and sustainable international arts policies on different government levels (municipal, regional/national, EU)
DAY 1 - October 25: International inspiration for future arts policies (English spoken)
Several reputed international speakers will share their perspectives on sustainable international artistic practices and policies. Diverse topics will be dealt with: mobility, creative industries / economic dimension, ecology, culture and development, intercultural dialogue, urbanity, organizational development,... While the expertise of the speakers is situated on different policy levels (municipal, regional/national, EU), a crucial and recurring approach is the belief that a sustainable international arts policy stems from a concerted interplay between different government levels (EU, national, regional / local).
9:30 registration
10:00 welcome
10:30 Pius Knüsel (Pro Helvetia / sustainable international promotion, concertation of different government levels and policy objectives)
11:15 Q&A Pius Knüsel
11:30 Hedwig Fijen (Manifesta / the international trajectory and development of a nomadic foundation)
12:15 Q&A Hedwig Fijen
13:00 lunch
14:30 Alison Crabb (European Commission / about recent developments and future perspectives on culture policy)
15:15 Q&A Alison Crabb
15:30 Philippe Kern (managing director KEA / focus on creative industries and international policies)
15:50 Q&A Philippe Kern
16:05 debate
16:45 reception
Moderator: Chris Keulemans
DAY 2 - October 26: Focus on international arts practice and policy in Flanders (! Dutch spoken)
How 'international' is the Flemish art field? Who is working internationally? Who are the preferred partners in different foreign countries? How many international artists and organizations are active in Belgium? How attractive are Brussels and Flanders for international artists? What needs are there in the field? Which are obstacles to working internationally? What types of support are needed? How could the current regulatory system be improved? To respond to such questions, the organizers will present a ʻmaster planʼ listing suggestions for sustainable international arts policies and practice. Which would be the core elements of a sustainable international cultural policy? How can the existing tools be used or supplemented for this purpose? Which practices and approaches in performing or visuals arts, music, literature, architecture,... could inspire other artistic sectors? The following topics will be dealt with:
• Reciprocity in international relations - Through co-productions, long-term relationships, networking, policies aiming at an equilibrium of export & import.
• Artistic residency policies - In its broadest sense this can be seen as a ʻwelcome policyʼ for international artists (also dealing with information provision etc.).
• Sustainable promotion and export policies - Dealing with events and ad hoc opportunities but from a long-term perspective, usefulness of cross-cutting initiatives,...)
• International mediation by different actors: support centres, the idea of a knowledge hub in/outside of the culture ministry, cultural diplomacy, Flemish representatives..., other formats for mediation (cultural attachés, stray wild,...)
• Geographic priorities: inter-regional cooperation, neighboring countries, bilateral vs. multilateral approach...
• Concertation various levels of government - National policies must increasingly relate to local, (inter)regional and supranational dynamics. Are there any countries / regions where these ʻverticalʼ forms of dialogue between different policy levels are well developed? Should the international component be part of the so-called ʻcore debateʼ between different government levels? On the national/regional level, how does culture relate to the international dimension of other policies?
• Evaluation of European Culture Programme
The second day kicks off with a lively debate in which artists with different experiences reflect on the international dimension of their work, followed by 4 workshops on the main elements of a sustainable international arts policy. The plenary presentation of the master plan and a panel discussion with policy makers of different government levels close the second day.
Schedule
9:30 registration
10:00 welcome
10:15 plenary debate: the international dimension of arts in Flanders
Chris Keulemans in conversation with Grace Ellen Barkey (Needcompany), Eric Sleichim (Bl!ndman), Gideon Boie (Bavo), Els Opsomer, Peter Brosens & Jessica Woodworth and David Van Reybrouck.
11:30 workshops: key elements of a sustainable international arts policy
1) The Flemish Arts Decree
2) Other initiatives of the Flemish governement
3) Recommendations for the EU-Culture Programme
4) Elements of a sustainable international information & promotion policy
13:00 lunch
14:00 interview Paul Dujardin
Chris Keulemans interviews Paul Dujardin (director of BOZAR), who chaired the atelier about international policy in the scope of 'Cultuurforum 2020' that was created by Minister Joke Schauvliege.
14:15 plenary session: a masterplan for sustainable international arts policies and practice?
15:00 plenary debate wih policy makers
Chris Keulemans in conversation with Koen Verlaeckt (secretary-general of the Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs), Jos Van Rillaer (administrator-general of the governement Agency for Arts and Heritage), Geert De Proost (Flemish representative in the United Kingdom) and Katrien Laporte (city of Ghent).
17:00 reception
Practical details
When: Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th October 2010
Where: BOZAR, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels
Registration fee: 25 euro/day or 40 euro/two days
Registration: only via this link (deadline: 20th October 2010)
Languages: day 1: English - day 2: Dutch
An organization of VTi (Flemish Institute for the Performing Arts), BAM (Flemish Institute for Visual, Audiovisual and Media Art), Flanders Music Centre, Flemish Literature Fund, VAF (Flanders Audiovisual Fund) and VAi (Flemish Architecture institute) in the context of the Belgian EU Presidency
With the support of BOZAR.
With the support of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union