Réseaux Européens
From ChangingRoomWiki
by Paul Bogen
Paul Bogen looks at the range of European arts and culture networks.
In 1993 while attending a conference in Brussels, I was both surprised and amused to find that one of the speakers was from the network of European cultural networks. It seemed that there were so many cultural networks in Europe at that time someone had the bright idea that there needed to be a network to support them! Today the number of cultural networks in European totals over three hundred covering a multitude of art forms, disciplines, organisations, countries, and professions. There are networks for artists, arts festivals, carnivals, orchestras, arts centres, arts students, writers, dance, museums and even one for jugglers!
There is not one central information point where you can find all of the networks listed but Lab for Culture http://www.labforculture.org/en has over two hundred in its database (under the directory section of its web site). http://www.culture.info/ is also a useful resource tool for all things cultural in Europe and includes its own directory of networks.
Locations, Membership and Meetings
Many of the more established networks are based in Brussels, as this is where the politicians, bureaucrats and funding resides. But others can be found based all around Europe, usually in capital cities. The major networks are membership based, meet once to twice a year and are partly funded through member’s subscriptions. The subscription cost varies greatly (from €50 to over €1,000 a year) usually dependant on what the network offers it membership, if it is publicly funded and how many members it has. Many of the networks subscription fees are based on a sliding scale related to its member’s economy. Some networks offer an associate member or friends status with a reduced subscription fee but often also with reduced benefits.
Most of the networks hold their meetings in the home city of one of their members. Hosting a meeting can provide opportunities for developing and raising an organisations international profile within the media, the arts community and with funding bodies.
Nearly all the networks have web sites and many publish on-line newsletters for their members.
Why join a Network?
When I was first introduced to European cultural networks the ‘Brits’ were not well represented. But today many UK arts organisations are now working beyond our shores resulting in new opportunities, new partnerships and new funding opportunities. Developing an international dimension to an organisations work generally seems to please UK funding agencies and local authorities, particularly if you can invite local politicians or your funding agency director to an overseas conference or meeting in Barcelona, Prague or Rome!
Many European Community funding programmes require applicants to include two or more partners from the twenty-seven member states. Joining a network relevant to your area of work can facilitate the development of partnerships and projects with like-minded organisations from across Europe and enable you to apply for a wider-range of EC funding programmes.
Some of the more established networks
Probably one of the best-known and largest European cultural networks is the international network of contemporary performing arts (IETM). Formed in 1981 and with over four hundred members, ITEM’S purpose is “to stimulate the quality, development and contexts of contemporary performing arts in a global environment”. It has an annual meeting each year in different European locations as well as additional satellite meetings. http://www.ietm.org
Res Artis is The International Association of Residential Arts Centres, based in the Netherlands. Its membership is made up of arts centers and artist's organisations that programme residential artist exchanges. Founded in 1993, it provides a forum for residency programmes and convenes international meetings and conferences. It is the largest international network of artist residency programmes with over 200 members from more than 40 countries. http://www.resartis.org
Trans Europe Halles (TEH) is a network of independent culture centers. Founded in 1983, it currently has 50 members in 25 countries and provides a platform for exchange, support and co-operation between its members. The network brings together a great diversity of independent and multi-disciplinary cultural centers. T.E.H. is an active network, meeting twice a year in different members centers, offering professional development and exchange programmes and initiating a wide range of projects for and with its members. http://www.teh.net
Arts Management Network is an international information, on-line network for arts managers. Founded in 1996 as the first German online magazine for arts managers it’s web site now has more than 25,000 visitors a month. It does not have formal meetings but offers a free newsletter, a conference calendar as well as a web and education directory. http://www.artsmanagement.net
Europa Nostra is the European Federation for Cultural Heritage, representing over 250 NGO’s in 45 countries across Europe. Founded in 1963, It’s aim is to “put heritage and its benefits in the mainstream of public consciousness and to making heritage a priority for public policies both at European and national levels”. It meets once a year, publishes a monthly newsletter and manages an annual European Heritage award funded by the European Commission.” http://www.europanostra.org Culture Action Europe is a European level advocacy organisation representing the interests of artists and cultural organisations. Founded in 1995 (and formerly know as EFAH) it “exists to strengthen the role of arts and culture in the sustainable development of Europe”. Membership is open to any cultural organisation, which wants to find out what’s happening to culture in Europe and get involved in European cultural affairs. Culture Action Europe brings together members from the fields of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, socio-cultural work, arts management, cultural training and information provision. The network meets once a year in different cities, publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, is subscription based and has a well-informed and useful web site. http://www.cultureactioneurope.org
ENCATC – The European network of cultural administration training centers, aims “to stimulate and encourage the development of cultural management & policy within the context of great changes in the fields of culture, arts and media”. Formed in 1992, its 130 members are mainly academic institutions running some form of cultural management courses and it meets once a year in different cities across Europe. http://www.encatc.org
Is it worth it?
The costs and time required in European networking should be seen as a long-term investment that will eventually be repaid with interest, directly and indirectly. But don’t expect an instant ‘pay-back’. Just as at home, it takes time to develop relationships and build new partnerships. If you actively participate in the network and involve as many people from your organization as possible, joining a European or international cultural network can be extremely rewarding for your organization, your artists and you’re your employees.
Paul Bogen is a Director of Olivearte Cultural Agency providing a range of consultancy, training and funding services across Europe as well as producing a very fine Italian Olive Oil!
