19 events this week

Festival in portrait

Quote of the Week

“A festival is a unique occasion for meeting different people and different cultures. Together with artists who are real masters of communication through art, a festival is a strong builder of bridges between different cultures - and even between civilizations."

Ján Figel’, former European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture, and Youth

Partners' News

ISPA Academy to take place on 17/18 June in Wroclaw

29 April 2013

The 2013 ISPA June Congress entitled “The Next Chapter” will take place in Wrocław, Poland on 17-22 June 2013. The ISPA Academy (17-18 June), an intensive two day arts administration programme at the Wrocław 2013 ISPA Congress, will focus on the predominant challenges facing arts professionals in the surrounding region. Through seminars and collaborative discussions, accomplished and innovative leaders in the performing arts will share their knowledge and insights. Congress delegates registered for a Full Pass may attend the ISPA Academy free of charge and all individuals may purchase a registration to the ISPA Academy for 50 USD. - more...

Bridging the gap from education and training to employment: European Music Council to host Youth Day

25 March 2013

On 18 April 2013 in Glasgow, UK, the European Music Council will be hosting a Youth Day ahead of the European Forum on Music (18-21 April 2013). The theme of this event will be: “Bridging the gap from education and training to employment” and the event is open to young people under the age of 30 working in all aspects of European music life from administration through to project management and performing. In particular, EMC members are encouraged to send young representatives under the age of 30 to take part in this as well as in the Forum itself. - more...

European Theatre Convention marks 25 years at General Assembly in Tirana, Albania

21 March 2013

Members of the European Theatre Convention (ETC), Europe’s leading network of public theatres, will meet in Tirana, Albania, from 21 – 24 March 2013 for their first General Assembly of the year. Hosted by the National Theatre of Albania, this spring meeting is particularly notable as it is the first gathering of ETC members in the year the organisation celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark this momentous occasion guests from other leading European performing arts networks have been invited to participate in discussions around the conference theme, which is ‘European Theatre – A Chance to be Different!’ - more...

Classical:NEXT for classical music professionals to take place 29 May to 1 June

11 March 2013

Classical:NEXT is the new, international, annual forum dedicated exclusively to classical music in all its variety, for all classical music professionals, including presenters. 750 delegates from more than 40 countries and 5 continents attended the first edition in Munich. This years’ event takes place in one of Europe’s classical music capitals, Vienna, from 29 May until 1 June. - more...

5th edition of Tallinn Music Week to take place from 4-6 April 2013

27 February 2013

The Pille Lill Music Fund (PLMF) invites to join the 5th edition of the Tallinn Music Week (4-6 April 2013) to find out about the Estonian and Baltic music scene. For the 3rd year PLMF and partners will be presenting a line-up of classical artists waiting to be discovered by the industry. In addition participants will hear new contemporary music, see the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and the National Opera Orchestra in action and of course take part in the international conference programme. - more...

European Year of Citizens 2013 launched in Dublin

11 January 2013

The European Year of Citizens 2013 has been launched in Dublin by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The objective of the Year is to to ensure that people know their rights as EU citizens and how to exercise them to the full. The Year of Citizens will also encourage public debate about what EU citizenship means for the people of the EU. - more...

Marseille and Košice: European Capitals of Culture in 2013

07 January 2013

Marseille (France) and Košice (Slovakia) are the European Capitals of Culture in 2013. The cultural programme will officially begin on 12 January in Marseille and on 19 January in Košice.
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, said: "This is the moment that Marseille and Košice have been preparing for - and waiting for - since their selection as the 2013 European Capitals of Culture. I'm sure the public will be treated to an unforgettable launch in both cities. The opening events will mark the beginning of what will be a tremendous year of cultural activities, aimed not only at local people from the city and surrounding region, but also at those coming from much further afield. The European Capital of Culture has been a fantastic EU success story for more than 25 years: the title is a unique opportunity to boost a city's cultural vibrancy and long-term development, as well as being hugely important for tourism, job creation and urban regeneration. I wish both 2013 Capitals of Culture every success!" - more...

From Brussels to Amsterdam: Amsterdam Conversations on Cultural Dimension of Citizenship

29 November 2012

On 30 November 2012 in Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Conversations 2012 will take place. In the context of the initiative A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe, Felix Meritis and partners present an international conference with workshops, lectures and public discussions where speakers from Berlin and Brussels and many other European cities will examine the cultural dimension of citizenship with Dutch experts and citizens. - more...

Minister Deenihan outlines Cultural policy priorities for Irish EU Presidency

28 November 2012

Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union begins on 1 January 2013 and runs for the first half of the year. On 26 November 2012, Jimmy Deenihan TD Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, attended the Meeting of Ministers of Culture as part of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council in Brussels. During the meeting the Minister took the opportunity of outlining the main cultural policy priorities of the Irish Presidency. The Presidency website (www.eu2013.ie) will be launched in December 2012. - more...

"It's about Europe. It's about you. Join the debate" – 2013 is the 'European Year of Citizens'

26 November 2012

[Brussels, 23 November 2012] 2013 has been officially named "The European Year of Citizens". 20 years after the introduction of EU Citizenship, the year will focus both on what has already been achieved for citizens and on meeting citizens' expectations for the future. The decision by the European Parliament and the Council on the proposal by the European Commission was published in the Official Journal today. Events throughout the European Year will explain how people can directly benefit from their EU rights and which policies and programmes exist. The European Year will also stimulate an EU-wide debate with citizens about what the European Union should look like in the future and which reforms are needed to improve their every-day lives. - more...

Culture Action Europe: Act now! Sign and disseminate online letter prior to EU Summit

21 November 2012

On 22 November 2012, the EU national leaders will meet do debate the next EU budget 2014-2020. Their decisions will impact our common future. Culture Action Europe has prepared an online letter with a statement calling on EU national leaders to demonstrate political vision and courage when they meet during the extraordinary EU summit. - more...

ENCATC releases brochure for its first Academy on Cultural Relations and Diplomacy

13 November 2012

The ENCATC Academy "Cultural Relations and Diplomacy" will be held in Brussels from 5-7 December 2012. The ENCATC Academy is an intensive 3-day learning programme on the field of cultural relations and diplomacy. It is a joint initiative of ENCATC, the leading European Network on Cultural Management and Cultural Policy Education, and Goldsmiths, University of London, the leading higher education organisation in delivering a post graduate programme in this field. - more...

Call for proposals: Culture as a vector of democracy and economic growth

12 November 2012

The European Commission has published a new call for proposals for ‘Supporting culture as a vector of democracy and economic growth’ under the thematic programme “Investing in People”. Deadline for submission of concept notes is 18 December 2012. “Investing in People” pursues a broad approach to development and poverty reduction, with the general aim of improving human and social development levels in partner countries in accordance with the United Nations Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). - more...

“A Soul for Europe”: Berlin Conference to take place 10 November 2012

06 November 2012

The fifth Berlin Conference, organised by the civil-society initiative “ ASoul for Europe”, will take place on 10 November 2012 in Berlin, Germany. The 2012 Berlin Conference aims to take a stand by working to strengthen both the level of participation and the partnerships between European civil society, the European institutions, and European citizens. These partnerships should work together to foster positive European development, which can be achieved by motivating all parties to become actively involved in a “Cultural Coalition for a Citizens' Europe”. - more...

Open Method of Coordination groups in the field of Culture: new reports available

31 October 2012

The European Commission coordinates cooperation with and between national authorities throughout the EU on cultural matters connected to the Agenda – through the EU’s open method of coordination. Three Open Method of Coordination Working Groups launched in 2011 under the Council Work Plan for Culture 2011-2014 presented the results of their work. - more...

Fourth European Cultural Capital Report published

29 October 2012

The fourth European Cultural Capital Report is an update on the growing European Capital of Cutlure (ECOC) knowledge bank that began with an evaluation report produced for the European Commission (Palmer Report, 2004) and the subsequent European Cultural Capital Reports, volumes I, (2007) II (2009) and III (2011). - more...

Roberto Cimetta Fund to organise exchange platform MADARAT (20-22 November, Beirut)

26 October 2012

The Roberto Cimetta Fund (RCF), launched in 1999, aims to support artistic mobility between Europe, the Arab world and Mediterranean countries in order to rebalance the flow of artistic production and respond to the Development Goals by putting into practice the principles of many cultural policy agendas (Agenda 21 for Culture, the UNESCO Convention, European Agenda for Culture) in the spirit of the Declaration of Fribourg on Cultural Rights. - more...

Classical:NEXT calls for contributions for its 2013 edition in Vienna

05 October 2012

Exclusively dedicated to classical and art music, Classical:NEXT is an international forum for professionals from all branches within the genre: the arts presenters, promoters and artist managers of the live sector, the recording industry with its labels and distributors as well as media, export offices, classical music institutions and, of course, the artists. The first edition of Classical:NEXT took place in May 2012. 700 delegates from all sectors of classical music came to Munich, Germany, from 41 countries and 5 continents. From 29 May to 1 June 2013, Classical:NEXT will take place in Vienna, a capital of both modern convenience and historical significance. - more...

African Creative Economy Conference to take place 14-16 November 2012

01 October 2012

From 14-16 November 2012 in Dakar, Senegal, Arterial Network will host its second annual conference on the African Creative Economy. The aims of the conference are to provide practical analysis and reflective overview of the current status of African creative economy. This should help consolidate emergent African expertise in this area while providing critical thought necessary in navigating the unfolding realties the sector is faced with. - more...

President Barroso exchanges with artists and intellectuals on culture and future of Europe

19 September 2012

[Brussels, 17 September 2012] President Barroso shared his views on culture and the future of Europe with European artists and intellectuals from the cultural world. Three main concerns were discussed: the impact of the financial crisis on European citizenship and the notion of European identity, what artists can do for Europe, and what Europe can do for artists. - more...

Konstantin Heuer wins Gaudeamus Prize 2012

12 September 2012

After the closing concert of the Gaudeamus Muziekweek 2012 on 9 September, the winner of the Gaudeamus Prize 2012 was announced. Out of the thirteen nominees, the international jury consisting of Martijn Padding (NL), Annie Gosfield (USA) and Christopher Butterfield (CAN) unanimously chose Konstantin Heuer (1989) from Germany. The award was presented by jury member Christopher Butterfield. Maxim Shalygin (1985, Ukraine / Netherlands) and Edward Hamel (1986, USA) received an honorable mention for their submitted work. In total, almost 300 compositions were submitted for the Gaudeamus Prize 2012. - more...

Centenary of Canberra: “Seed now, blossom in 2013 and flower for another hundred years”

07 September 2012

In 2013 Australia’s capital Canberra turns 100 and a year-long programme of celebrations has been planned to mark the occasion. The Centenary of Canberra’s Creative Director Robyn Archer says: “Seed now, blossom in 2013 and flower for another hundred years.” - more...

Japan Foundation Europe: Performing Arts Grant Programme 2013-14

07 September 2012

Established in 1972, the Japan Foundation is Japan’s principal agency for cultural relations between Japan and overseas countries. The Japan Foundation’s Performing Arts Japan (PAJ) programme for Europe supports organisations based in Europe that are planning performing arts projects related to Japan. The programme covers two categories of applications. - more...

Evidence-based Cultural policies can contribute to economic and social development

28 August 2012

The development of effective, evidence-based culture policies can contribute to the global struggle for economic recovery and growth, with simultaneous benefits to society, was the conclusion of the Senior Officials on Culture Meeting organised by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus in the framework of the Cyprus Presidency. The meeting focused on "Cultural governance in a globalising world: Better governance for the cultural and creative sector" and was held on 28 and 29 August 2012 at the International Conference Centre ‘Filoxenia’ in Nicosia. - more...

European Commission proposes countries to host European Capitals of Culture after 2019

20 July 2012

The European Commission adopted its proposal for the continuation of the European Capitals of Culture initiative and transmitted it to the European Parliament and the Council for the ordinary legislative procedure. - more...

Cyprus EU Presidency: Citizens at the heart of EU policies

10 July 2012

[Press Release, 10 July 2012] We must put citizens at the heart of EU policies was the message of the Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Mr. George Demosthenous in today's presentation of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency, before the Committee of Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament in Brussels. - more...

Cyprus EU Presidency looking “Towards a Better Europe”

03 July 2012

During its Presidency of the Council of the European Union (1 July-31 December 2012), Cyprus will work “Τowards a Better Europe”, more relevant to its citizens and to the world; meaning a more effective Europe, contributing to growth and job creation. A European Union working on the basis of the underlying principle of solidarity, committing itself to a better future, promoting social cohesion and providing hope to its citizens; a European Union, with an enhanced role in the international scene. All efforts will be directed to bequeath a better Europe to the younger generations. - more...

Creative Encounters: Call for Proposals for Asia-Europe Cultural Partnerships - Deadline extended

02 July 2012

The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and partners are supporting new artistic and networking collaborations in the framework of the Creative Encounters: Cultural Partnerships between Asia and Europe 2012-2013 programme. Arts and cultural organisations are invited to submit proposals by 31 July 2012 for the second edition. - more...

Access to Culture Platform’s Working Group on Audience Participation calls for contributions

27 June 2012

The Access to Culture Platform’s Working Group on Audience Participation announces its call for research for a publication entitled “The Cultural Component of Citizenship: an Inventory of Challenges” (working title). Practical and theoretical research, conference presentations, interviews or any relevant contributions are welcome. Deadline for submission of abstracts is 16 July 2012. - more...

“A Soul for Europe” receives EU Grant within “Europe for Citizens” programme

26 June 2012

The project “A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe” of the initiative “A Soul for Europe” is one of 27 projects selected for funding by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency within the framework of the EU’s Europe for Citizens Programme Action 2 – Measure 3 – 2012: "Support to projects initiated by civil society organisations". - more...

The Role of Culture in a Time of Crisis: Update from the Team Culture Conference

18 June 2012

On 6 June 2012, in the framework of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Danish Minister of Culture Uffe Elbæk, European Commission Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Sport, Media and Youth Androulla Vassiliou, and Team Culture 2012 hosted a conference on the role of culture in a time of crisis. The event brought together European decision makers and representatives from various cultural sectors to discuss this vital topic from a range of perspectives. To inspire the day’s dialogue, Uffe Elbæk stated: “Europe is facing a severe economic crisis and the EU and national governments throughout Europe are searching for a solution. As part of the solution, we should turn to culture as a source of creativity, innovation and hope for the future.” - more...

How culture can boost regional development: Commission releases new handbook

05 June 2012

Some tips for a more strategic use of the EU Structural Funds to foster the potential of culture in your region or in your city: A Group of experts from EU Member States set up as part of the European Agenda for Culture and the Council Work Plan 2011-2014 has just finalised a Policy Handbook on "How to strategically use the EU support programmes, including structural funds, to foster the potential of culture for local, regional and national development and the spill-over effects on the wider economy?". - more...

Team Culture 2012 to discuss the role of culture in times of crisis

04 June 2012

As part of the Danish Presidency, the Danish Minister for Culture Uffe Elbæk is hosting an Inspiration and Dialogue Meeting entitled “Realising and Releasing the Potential of Culture” in Brussels on 6 June 2012, on the topic of the role of culture in a time of crisis. The intention is to discuss the potential of culture in a time with tight public budgets and high unemployment figures. - more...

International Union of Cinemas launched “Cinema: Digital Innovation Award”

08 May 2012

UNIC, the International Union of Cinemas, has launched the Cinema: Digital Innovation Award to encourage radical new thinking that helps film theatres reach out to new audiences using the internet, social media and smart phone applications. Organisations and individuals are invited to submit short summary proposals until 31 May 2012. Shortlisted candidates will be given the chance to present their ideas at Europe’s biggest film and cinema conference CineEurope in Barcelona, at the expense of UNIC. The winner will receive a small cash prize of € 5000. More importantly, each of the selected candidates gets the chance to meet with key decision makers from the cinema exhibition industry – an ideal chance to find potential clients and secure further seed capital. - more...

Associations representing interests of creators issue statement against coercive contractual practic

27 April 2012

Following the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance’s (ECSA) complaint against coercive practices, several international associations representing interests of creators – like the International/European Federation of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ), the Federation of European Film Directors (FERA), the Federation of Screenwriters Europe (FSE), European Visual Artists (EVA), ECSA, the European Illustrators Forum’s (EIF), Pyramide Europe and the International Authors' Forum (IAF) – issued a joint statement calling for immediate action against coercive contractual practices facing creators in Europe. - more...

Creative Europe: learn about the EU’s new programme in 5 video interviews

20 April 2012

Want to learn more about Creative Europe? Listen to answers to some of the sector's questions in five short video interviews. Chris Torch from Intercult, Sweden, interviews Ann Branch, Head of the Culture Programme and Actions Unit, European Commission (DG Education and Culture) on the Commission's Creative Europe proposal. - more...

African Festival Network - AFRIFESTNET - to be launched in Ghana

16 April 2012

Following a seminar in July 2010 at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) at which delegates agreed to establish a network of African festivals and events, this network – AFRIFESTNET – will be formally launched in Accra, Ghana from 19-20 April 2012. It will comprise festivals and events in theatre, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts, heritage as well as multidisciplinary events. - more...

Chopin Piano FEST Prishtina 2012 running from 12 April to 5 May

12 April 2012

Chopin Piano FEST “Prishtina”2012 is a festival of pianism established for the first time on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Chopin in 2010 by the Kosovar Chopin Association. Because of its great success and appreciation by the audience in Kosovo, a decision was taken to make it a traditional piano festival which is held in springtime every year. - more...

EACEA publishes results for grants for European Cultural Festivals 2012

03 April 2012

The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) has published those European Cultural Festivals 2012 (Strand 1.3.6) that were selected for the annual EU grant following the call of November 2011. Out of 275 applications from 32 countries, 14 festivals are receiving funding. - more...

The Composers Factory: the European Composers Forum invites to join

03 April 2012

Without audiences, music does not take place. We have to put the strongest efforts into raising and developing open-minded, contemporary-thinking, and enthusiastic audiences who attend concerts, events, presentations, and workshops of contemporary music today and will continue to do so over the next 10, 20 and 30+ years. The Composers Factory will become a European-wide initiative, gathering existing expertise and experience, collating this and making it available through networks and shared platforms. This Forum will pool information, promote initiatives and enable progress together on European, national, regional and local levels. - more...

Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe: Berlin Conference to take place 10 November 2012

29 March 2012

In the face of a financial crisis on a scale not yet imaginable, the overarching concern of the Berlin Conference 2012 is the necessity to strengthen partnership participation of European civil society in the European development. As also brought forth by the financial sector and various governments, Europe must build its existence on its cultural values. This can be achieved by motivating citizens to become actively involved – in a “Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe”. - more...

Commission organises conference on audience development on 16-17 October in Brussels

27 March 2012

"Creative Europe", the Commission's proposal for its future funding programme for the cultural and creative sectors for the period 2014-2020, proposes an important new focus on audience development in order to foster long-term audiences for European cultural works. The European Commission will, therefore, organise a conference on 16-17 October in Brussels which will provide inspirational examples of audience development by cultural organisations and foster European exchange of practice on audience development strategies. - more...

Arterial Network celebrates its fifth anniversary

07 March 2012

Arterial Network, a Pan African network of artists, cultural activists, creative enterprises and others engaged in the African creative sector, celebrates its fifth anniversary since its founding conference on Goree Island, Senegal in March 2007. - more...

Why culture and the arts can show us a way out of the crisis

24 February 2012

Despite the current gloom and doom, Europe has many reason for optimism and the cultural sector is a reservoir of hope, ideas and new economic growth, write Uffe Elbæk, Danish Minister for Culture, and Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. - more...

European Parliament President Martin Schulz new Chair of “A Soul for Europe” Advisory Board

23 February 2012

Martin Schulz, the new President of the European Parliament, will take over the Chair of the “A Soul for Europe” Advisory Board from the former President Jerzy Buzek. - more...

The urgent need for dialogue between culture and European politics

22 February 2012

As the crisis bites on cultural budgets, artists and political leaders must work towards greater integration of culture in future EU policies and budgetary orientations, argues a high-level group of European artists launched at the request of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. - more...

"A Soul for Europe" announces upcoming events and activities

21 February 2012

All upcoming activities of "A Soul for Europe" (ASfE) focus on the theme of responsible citizens for Europe. “A Soul for Europe” aims to ensure that Europe makes greater and better use of its cultural assets. In the process, culture should be utilised more than in the past as a strategic factor for development – at the local, regional, national and European level. All fields of policy beyond the cultural sector, from social to foreign affairs, should include a cultural component. To achieve this goal, upcoming activities include, amongst others, the Berlin Conference 2012 in November and actions in the frame of the European Year of Citizens 2013. - more...

Mapping of intermediary organisations supporting performing arts circulation

03 February 2012

The SPACE network, acronym for Supporting Performing Arts Circulation in Europe, commissioned an exploratory research on the profiles and role of intermediary organisations in improving artist mobility and performing artworks circulation in Europe. The research was conducted and written by Cristina Farinha in 2011. - more...

Launch of 2012 EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue

01 February 2012

Brussels, 01 February 2012 – The 2012 EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue will be officially launched today by Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and Cai Wu, Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China. The Year will see a large number of events and projects hosted by EU Member States and China, with the aim of strengthening intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding through cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. The EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue also offers opportunities for Chinese and EU cultural institutions, organisations and other stakeholders to establish and develop structured and sustainable cooperation during 2012 and beyond. - more...

Classical:NEXT: new international forum for classical music premiers from 30 May to 2 June in Munich

31 January 2012

2012 will see the inauguration of an international forum for classical and art music: Classical:NEXT will focus on the wonderful art of classical music – and on how to take it to its next level. From 30 May until 2 June international professionals from all sectors of the classical music scene will gather at the Gasteig in Munich for the first edition of this new annual event – festivals, arts presenters, publishers, labels, music educators, concert halls, promoters, media, producers and, of course, the classical music artists. - more...

Call for Nominations: ‘Charles V European Award’ 2012

30 January 2012

The European Academy of Yuste Foundation released the call for nominations for the ‘Charles V European Award’ 2012. Its aim is to reward those persons who, through their effort and dedication, have contributed to a ‘better knowledge and dissemination of the cultural and historical values of Europe, and/or to the unification of the European Union’. - more...

Martin Schulz elected President of the European Parliament

19 January 2012

MEPs elected Martin Schulz to be the new European Parliament president with 387 votes in favour out of 670 cast. The 56-year old German MEP will lead the European parliament for two and half years, until the beginning of the next legislature in July 2014. - more...

2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations

13 January 2012

2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. A chance for all of us to reflect on how Europeans are living longer and staying healthier than ever before — and to realise the opportunities that represents. - more...

ENCATC launches new international e-journal on Cultural Management and Policy

12 January 2012

On Monday 9 January 2012, ENCATC, the European network on cultural management and cultural policy education, has officially launched the first issue of the ENCATC Online Journal of Cultural Management and Policy. - more...

Survey: Funding Opportunities for International Cultural Exchange in Asia

12 January 2012

The Asia-Europe Foundation and its online platform culture360.org are conducting research on Funding Opportunities for International Cultural Exchange in Asia. The research will focus on mapping resources for funding in your country and abroad which allow individuals or organizations to engage/take part in international cultural exchange. - more...

Act for culture in Europe: help collecting 100.000 signatures

11 January 2012

2012 is a key decision-making year during which the EU budget 2014-2020 will be voted upon by Members of the European Parliament and Ministers from the Member States. EU support to culture over the next seven years is at stake and the negotiations over the first four months of the year will be crucial. The campaign 'we are more - act for culture in Europe' calls for vital support for culture in the next EU budget and wants to collect 100.000 signatures and present them to the Culture Ministers of all EU Member States when they gather in Brussels for the EU Council of Culture Ministers in May 2012. - more...

European Capitals of Culture 2012: Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia)

10 January 2012

Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia) take over the title of European Capitals of Culture 2012 on 1 January. Both cities have a busy calendar of events planned for the year, with the aim of showcasing themselves to the world and building a lasting legacy for their citizens. The official programme of events begins on 13 January in Maribor and 21 January in Guimarães. - more...

The Danish EU Presidency 2012 and its priorities in the field of culture

09 January 2012

In the first half of 2012, Denmark holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is the seventh time Denmark holds the EU Presidency since joining the European Community in 1973. The programme for the Danish presidency was officially presented on 6 January at a press conference in Copenhagen. - more...

2nd Forum on Festivals in the Arab Countries to take place 1/2 March in Bahrain

09 January 2012

The Second Forum on Festivals in the Arab Countries is the only state-level festival event hosted in the Arab region. With experts from various fields, this Festival Forum is one of the highlights for festivals in the Arab countries. The second edition on 1 and 2 March 2012 in Manama/Bahrain is organised by the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in coordination with the Arab Administrative Development Organization, to celebrate Manama, the Arab Capital Culture of 2012. The Forum is committing itself to both innovation and originality and builds on its first successful edition in Beirut in December 2009. - more...

Meeting Points 6: Contemporary Art Festival from the Arab World takes place 12-14 January

06 January 2012

In collaboration with Young Arab Theatre Fund (YATF) from Brussels the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Berlin) presents the transnational and multidisciplinary festival Meeting Points 6 from 12 to 14 January 2012. After being in Beirut and Brussels, Okwui Enwezor and Tarek El Fetouh (YATF) show their programme “Practices and Logics of the Civic in the Arab World” in Berlin. - more...

Albania becomes 37th country to participate in EU Culture Programme

05 January 2012

A Memoranda of Understanding was signed on 20 December 2011 by the Director General for DG Education and Culture, Mr Jan Truszczynski, and Albania's Ambassador to the EU, Mrs Mimoza Halimi, clearing the way for Albania to fully benefit from cultural cooperation opportunities in the framework of the Culture Programme. - more...

First Gaudeamus Muziekweek New York to take place 25-28 January 2012

04 January 2012

Since 1945, the Netherlands-based contemporary music festival Gaudeamus Muziekweek has presented groundbreaking and challenging new music by emerging composers from around the world. Working in partnership with Gaudeamus, ISSUE Project Room will present, for the first time in the United States, a festival highlighting some of the extraordinary talent that has emerged from the Gaudeamus Muziekweek. - more...

NEU/NOW Festival 2012 – Call for nominations

21 December 2011

The European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) announces the fourth NEU/NOW Festival, presenting the most exciting and creative NEU artistic talent NOW emerging across Europe and beyond. The NEU/NOW Festival promotes graduating/just graduated artists from higher arts education institutions. ELIA is looking for projects in five disciplines: Visual Arts, Design, Film, Sound/Music, and Theatre/Dance. Applications must be nominated by a professor/representative of the institution. The deadline for sending in nominations is 31 January 2012. - more...

European Theatre Convention launches “Young Europe 2” on multilingual artistic education

20 December 2011

[Berlin] For the 2nd time, the [ETC develops with the support of the Culture Programme of the European Commission the 2 year European artistic education project: “Young Europe 2: Multilingual Creation and Education in Theatre” with the aim to establish a European multilingual drama repertoire for young people, focusing on artistic education through theatre and multilingualism in theatre. Based on the successful first project edition, which was attended from 2008-2010 by over 20 000 young people in 8 countries, ”Young Europe 2” will take place until autumn 2013 offering young theatre professionals and adolescents across Europe to work and create across multilingual borders. - more...

European Composer and Songwriter Alliance organises Creators Conference on 2/3 February 2012

19 December 2011

Following the successful launch of the first Creators’ Conference in Stockholm in 2010 initiated by the Swedish Society of Popular Music Composers (Skap), the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA) is organising the second Creators Conference. It will be held in Brussels, Belgium on 2-3 February 2012. - more...

Registration Gaudeamus Prize 2012 has started

14 December 2011

Registration for the Gaudeamus Prize 2012 has started! Composers of any nationality who are born after September 9, 1981 may enter their compositions. The works may already have been performed, but they must have been composed not more than three (3) years ago. - more...

Call for Applications for Arts Network Asia (Ana) Project Grants 2012

13 December 2011

Arts Network Asia (ANA) would like to invite artists, cultural workers, arts activists, and arts communities in Asia to apply for the ANA 2012 Grants scheme. Deadline for submission is 31 December 2011. - more...

More Europe initiative is launched in Brussels

08 December 2011

Opinion leaders appeal to policy makers to use culture more strategically to create a stronger voice for Europe in the world
Brussels, 8 December – A one year-long civic initiative More Europe – External Cultural Relations will be launched today at a special event at the Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar) in Brussels, bringing together an alliance of cultural leaders, politicians, diplomats and influential civil society networks around the world. - more...

EUNIC publishes Europe-China Cultural Compass

29 November 2011

Are we meaning the same, when we say the same? -- This was the leading question at the start of the EUROPE-CHINA CULTURAL COMPASS project, an initiative by partners of EUNIC in China, the Goethe-Institut, the British Council, and The Danish Cultural Institute. - more...

Creative Europe: Commission unveils plan to boost cultural and creative sectors

Brussels, 23 November 2011

23 November 2011

Thousands of people working in cinema, TV, culture, music, performing arts, heritage and related areas would benefit from increased EU support under the new 'Creative Europe' programme unveiled by the European Commission today. With a proposed budget of €1.8 billion for the period 2014-2020, it would be a much-needed boost for the cultural and creative industries, which are a major source of jobs and growth in Europe. The new programme would allocate more than €900 million in support of the cinema and audiovisual sector (area covered by current MEDIA programme) and almost € 500 million for culture. The Commission is also proposing to allocate more than €210 million for a new financial guarantee facility, which would enable small operators to access up to €1 billion in bank loans, as well as around €60 million in support of policy cooperation and fostering innovative approaches to audience building and new business models. - more...

Access to Culture platform organises workshop on "Access to Culture in the Digital Era"

18 November 2011

The Access to Culture Platform (ACP) and its working group on Audience Participation are focusing on access to culture in the digital era this year. In collaboration with all members of the working group chaired by the European Festivals Association (EFA), a workshop entitled “Access to Culture in the Digital Era: A Citizen’s Right” is organised on 15 December 2011 (16.00-19.00) in Brussels. - more...

European Parliament public hearing on Culture and the EU's external actions

17 November 2011

On 22 November 2011 at 3pm, the European Parliament’s CULT Committee will hold a public hearing on Culture and the EU's external actions. As a follow-up on the EP resolution on the Cultural dimensions of the EU's external actions, adopted in May 2011, the Committee has invited several experts to discuss the role of culture in the EU's foreign relations, and to look forward to possible developments in the future. - more...

EMC's Working Group Youth invites to endorse “Manifesto for Youth and Music in Europe”

16 November 2011

With its Manifesto for Youth and Music in Europe the Working Group Youth (WGY) of the European Music Council (EMC) calls upon policy and decision makers on a local, regional, national and European level to rethink their existing strategies, to address the specific situation of young people in the music sector, and to act upon a number of key requirements concerning life-long learning, professional training, mobility & dialogue, employment, and resources. The WGY invites to support the Manifesto. - more...

The EuroTrail – Re-thinking Realities: a day of debate at the European Parliament

15 November 2011

On 29 November 2011 in Brussels at the European Parliament, the Europe of Cultures Forum organises a meeting entitled “EuroTrail - Re-thinking Realities”. The event is organised in collaboration with Boguslaw Sonik, Member of the European Parliament (EPP), and in partnership with the Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB / Barcelona), the Center for Intercultural Communication and Interaction University of Ghent (CICI), COSMOPOLIS - City, Culture & Society / Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Institute for Social and European Studies (ISES / Köszeg). - more...

Europe at a crossroads: Barroso urges in State of Europe speech for comprehensive reforms

14 November 2011

On 9 November 2011, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, spoke at the "Berliner Europa-Rede", a strong appeal for deeper integration, unity and democracy. “Provided there is the political will, the greatest emerging power in the world will be the European Union,” said the President. In front of almost 900 invited guests at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, he urged: “Europe is at a crossroads.” - more...

"A Soul for Europe": Common Call for Citizenship through Culture signed by MEPs

28 October 2011

On 11 October 2011, at the European Parliament in Brussels, the Advisory Board and the Advisory Board Parliamentarian Working Group of the civil society initiative “A Soul for Europe” endorsed a Common Call to name the year 2013 the “European Year of Citizens Through Culture”. Reacting to the proposal of the European Commission presented in August 2011, the group of 15 Parliamentarians and further Advisory Board members claim to include a strong cultural dimension into the European Year. - more...

EU civil society platforms launch joint statement on structured dialogue process in culture

27 October 2011

At the occasion of the European Culture Forum (20/21 October 2011, Brussels) the three civil society platforms – Access to Culture Platform, Platform on Cultural and Creative Industries and Platform for Intercultural Europe – presented a Joint Statement on the importance of the Structured Dialogue process in culture. - more...

EAEAC informs: bug in eForm “Support for Festivals” (Strand 1.3.6)

26 October 2011

To all festivals wishing to apply for funding under Strand 1.3.6 of the European Union’s Culture Programme regulating the support to European cultural festivals: The Executive Agency Education, Audiovisual & Culture releases important information relating to the part E.1 of the e-Form "Festival statistics" - Festival edition number 5 and 6: Technical Bug in the e-Form. Deadline remains 16 November 2011. - more...

Record number of international delegates at Dutch Classical Music Meeting 2011

18 October 2011

Organizer Music Center the Netherlands looks back with great satisfaction on its three day event The Dutch Classical Music Meeting (DCMM). On 15, 16 and 17 October more than 300 international music professionals, from 38 countries, visited Amsterdam to meet in the Netherlands to discover the the top in Dutch classical music. - more...

5th World Summit on Arts and Culture wraps up as Chile takes the baton for 2014

12 October 2011

The 5th World Summit on Arts and Culture concluded on Thursday 6 October 2011, generating a range of international initiatives to support arts practice and policymaking in Australia and internationally. - more...

IFACCA launches WorldCP: international database of cultural policies

06 October 2011

The Executive Director of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), Sarah Gardner, today unveiled the prototype of a major new initiative, WorldCP, an international database of cultural policies. - more...

ENCATC 2011 Annual Conference "Culture Forecast" takes place 12-14 October in Helsinki

28 September 2011

Over 300 eminent academics, policy-makers, artists and students from over 36 countries have already confirmed their registration for ENCATC’s 2011 Annual Conference “CultureForecast”, which will take place in Helsinki, Finland, on 12-14 October 2011. Set to become a milestone event in the debate about future trends and developments in the culture and education sector, this important event will put the spotlight on three themes that have recently been focal points in arts and cultural management and which will determine future developments in the cultural field: Culture and the City, New Audiences and Networking. - more...

Coming up: the 2011 European Culture Forum (20/21 October, Brussels)

26 September 2011

On 20 and 21 October, the European Culture Forum will bring to Brussels 800 participants from culture civil society, the EU Member States and EU institutions. - more...

Yoshiaki Onishi (1981, Japan) wins Gaudeamus Prize 2011

14 September 2011

On 11 September 2011, after the closing concert of the Gaudeamus Music Week at Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, the winner of the Gaudeamus Prize 2011 was announced. From the thirteen nominees the international jury, consisting of Tadeusz Wielecki (Poland), Miguel Azguime (Portugal) and Rozalie Hirs (The Netherlands), unanimously chose for Yoshiaki Onishi (1981) from Japan. The prize was awarded by the mayor of Utrecht: Aleid Wolfsen. Andrew McIntosh (1985, USA) and Wei-Chieh Lin (1982, Taiwan) received an honorable mention for their submitted work. In total, 385 compositions from over thirty countries were submitted for the Gaudeamus Prize. - more...

First Eastern Partnership Culture Congress to take place 21-23 October 2011 in Lublin

12 September 2011

The Eastern Partnership Culture Congress will be the first event of its kind devoted to cultural cooperation for Eastern Partnership countries, offering their representatives a possibility of participation and a long-term action perspective. The Congress will become a platform for idea exchange, a place where you can develop tools to support effective cooperation and establish a common representative group at European level. - more...

20.000 signatures say we are more

09 September 2011

The we are more campaign calls on the EU Ministers for Culture to use the Informal Ministers' Meeting in Wroclaw on September 9th to support the 37% budget increase that the Commission recently proposed for its new Culture and MEDIA programme Creative Europe in 2014-2020. - more...

European Theatre Convention moves – in – Europe!

06 September 2011

The European Theatre Convention (ETC), the largest pan-European public theatre network, expands its activities across Europe and opens a new executive office in Berlin at the "Deutsches Theater". As of September 2011 the ETC will also be present in Brussels with an EU office at the European House for Culture. The headquarters of the ETC will remain at the "Comédie de Saint-Etienne" in France, where the theatre network was founded in 1988. - more...

Forum Wroclaw: Culture and Active Citizenship in the Development of Europe

05 September 2011

“A Soul for Europe” together with Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny (National Audiovisual Institute, Warsaw) will organise “FORUM WROCŁAW – Culture and Active Citizenship in the Development of Europe”, a one-day-discussion on 10 September 2011 in Wroclaw. The Forum takes place within the framework of the European Culture Congress (8-11 September 2011), initiated by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, as part of the cultural programme of the Polish EU Council Presidency. - more...

Felix Meritis Foundation holds commemorative service on 4 September for Dragan Klaic

30 August 2011

Prof. Dr. Dragan Klaic (Sarajevo, 27th of April 1950) after a long though sudden sickness has passed away on the 25th of August 2011. The Felix Meritis Foundation holds a commemorative service on 4 September, 12.00, in Amsterdam. - more...

A Soul for Europe engages in European debate in online magazine “The European”

26 August 2011

In May 2011, “A Soul for Europe” started a media cooperation agreement with "The European" – an online magazine for debates. Six articles by members of the "A Soul for Europe" Strategy Group have been published on topics relevant to the initiative’s work and the daily European debate. - more...

Syndeac calls to sign petition in favour of culture in Europe

27 July 2011

The National Syndicate of Artistic and Cultural Companies (SYNDEAC) has launched a petition in favour of a future European Union Culture Programme calling "For a real artistic and cultural ambition", with the objective of gathering the signatures and support of artists and cultural managers from all EU countries. - more...

2011 European Culture Forum (20-21 October, Brussels): Registration open

18 July 2011

Don't miss out on the European Commission's key culture event of 2011! On 20 and 21 October, the European Culture Forum will bring to Brussels 800 participants from culture civil society, the EU Member States and EU institutions. - more...

European Capitals of Culture in 2016: Wroclaw and Donostia-San Sebastián

13 July 2011

Both the Polish city of Wrocław and the Spanish city of Donostia-San Sebastián were recommended for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2016 by an independent selection panel. The formal nomination by the EU's Council of Ministers will take place in May 2012. - more...

ENCATC-University of Antwerp Debate: War economy or Warhol economy?

12 July 2011

Europe needs a “Warhol Economy” instead of a war economy said European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, at the opening of the ENCATC-UA debate on managing the impact of the financial crisis in Europe. - more...

EU budget 2014-2020: Commission plans new programme 'Creative Europe'

11 July 2011

The European Union has just proposed a multi-annual budget for 2014-2020. Responding to today's concerns and tomorrow's needs it focuses on priority funding at the EU level that provides true added value and includes more funds for Europe’s youth. In order to overcome the fragmentation of current instruments the Commission proposes to create an integrated programme of €15.2 billion for education, training and youth ('Education Europe'), with a clear focus on developing skills and mobility. The Commission's plans also include a new programme for the cultural and creative sector worth €1.6 billion ('Creative Europe'). - more...

New On the Move research dossier: Green Mobility Guide for the Performing Arts

07 July 2011

Commissioned by On the Move to creative industries environmental experts Julie’s Bicycle, the Green Mobility Guide offers practical recommendations for professionals across the performing arts, case studies and resources, including the Julie’s Bicycle “IG tool” for tracking carbon emissions while on tour. - more...

Poland takes over EU Presidency, ambitious cultural programme launched

06 July 2011

Between 1 July and 31 December 2011, Poland presides over the works of the Council of the European Union. Aside from its strictly political dimension, the Presidency also gives the country holding it an opportunity to build its image as a nation and a member of the European Union. - more...

IETM and KAMS publish “Coproduction manual”

05 July 2011

IETM and KAMS – Korean Arts Management Service - released a publication on June 22, 2011, for cultural operators and artists interested by cooperation in Asia, in Europe and between Asia and Europe: International Co-Production Manual – The journey which is full of surprises. - more...

Edinburgh Festivals releases groundbreaking study on the impacts of festivals

04 July 2011

Massive economic impact, huge tourism and promotional benefits and significant contributions to local and national identity and pride are all key findings from independent research published on May 23, 2011 which describes and quantifies the effect of Edinburgh’s year-round Festivals on locals, visitors, young people, artists, the economy and the environment. - more...

Culturelink releases publication "Networks: The Evolving Aspects of Culture in the 21st Century"

10 June 2011

Culturelink's new publication, edited by Biserka Cvjeticanin, marks twenty years of its continuous networking and research activities in cultural development, cultural policies, intercultural communication and international cultural cooperation. - more...

Creative Encounters: Asia-Europe Foundation calls for artistic project proposals

08 June 2011

For the first time, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) combines forces with the Arts Network Asia (ANA) in collaboration with the European network Trans Europe Halles to present the “Creative Encounters: Cultural Partnerships between Asia and Europe” in 2011. - more...

Dutch Classical Music Meeting 2011 to take place from 15-17 October in Amsterdam

08 June 2011

Presented by Music Center the Netherlands, the 4th edition of the Dutch Classical Music Meeting 2011 (DCMM; 15-17 October 2011, Amsterdam/Netherlands) is the largest b2b showcase and networking event in the Netherlands for professionals spanning early, classical and contemporary music. Organised biannually DCMM is attended by some 200 professional delegates, bringing together curators, artistic directors, presenters, managers and government representatives from all over the world. Registration is now open. - more...

European Academy of Yuste Foundation announces European Research and Mobility Grants

02 June 2011

The European Academy of Yuste Foundation announces its European Research and Mobility Grants for European Studies ‘Charles V European Award - Javier Solana Madariaga’ and its “VI Summer Doctoral Seminar in Contemporary European Multidisciplinary Studies” with the academic support of SEGEI (SocioEconomic Governance and European Identity) Research Network, to take place at the Royal Monastery of Yuste (Extremadura, Spain) in the second semester of 2011. The grants are supported by the Alliance of Civilizations of the United Nations and the European Commission through the Europe for Citizens European Programme. - more...

Second edition of the Chopin Piano FEST Prishtina 2011 great success

02 June 2011

The Kosovo Chopin Association was established in 2009 and organised the Chopin Piano FEST Prishtina in 2010 to honour the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birthday. The 2011 Chopin Piano FEST Prishtina (12-24 April) dedicated its concerts to the 200th anniversary of Franz Liszt. It brought together pianists from Kosovo, Germany, Austria and also Argentina. 17 Kosovo artists participated in the festival; it was an opportunity to promote two new music works composed by two young Kosovo composers. - more...

European Music Council’s Working Group Youth launches Manifesto for Youth and Music in Europe

26 May 2011

The Working Group Youth is a network of young people, most between the age of 18 and 30, who are involved in all kinds of music throughout Europe. In 2010 and 2011, the focus of the work of the Working Group Youth (WGY) has been the Access! project. In May 2011, the Working Group launched a Manifesto for Youth and Music in Europe. - more...

PEARLE/EAEA: Statement on mobility information services for artists and cultural workers

19 May 2011

The European social partners of the committee 'live performance' adopted, ahead of the Culture Council of 19 and 20 May 2011, a joint statement on the “mobility information services for artists and for culture professionals”. - more...

On the Move and PRACTICS call for improvement of conditions for culture mobility

17 May 2011

On the Move (OTM) and PRACTICS, two major European key players in supporting the trans-border mobility of artists and cultural operators, organise a joint press conference in Budapest on May 19th at 10.30 a.m. to call for improved conditions for trans-border mobility of artists, culture operators and arts worldwide. - more...

Invitation Conference: "A little bit of Opera?" (20–22 May, Antwerp & Ghent/Belgium)

04 May 2011

Vlaamse Opera, the International Arts Campus deSingel, Music Theatre Transparant and Production House LOD have the honour to invite you to the Conference and Symposium on the occasion of the biannual Festival of Contemporary Music Theatre OPERA XXI. - more...

European Commission publishes results for "Support to European cultural festivals"

02 May 2011

An unprecedented high number of applications (674 from 32 countries) were submitted by the application deadline 15 November 2010 for strand 1.3.6 of the European Union’s Culture Programme regulating the support to European cultural festivals. A total of 26 applications were retained in line with the available budget. - more...

4th IMC World Forum on Music: the music world to convene in Tallinn (26 Sep – 1 Oct 2011)

15 April 2011

Paris/Bonn/Tallinn – April 15, 2011. The International Music Council, the European Music Council and the Estonian Music Council are pleased to announce the 4th IMC World Forum on Music to take place in Tallinn, September 26 – October 1, 2011, under the title “Music and Social Change”. The event will be staged in close collaboration with the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. - more...

Call for Participation: Tandem - A Cultural Managers Exchange Programme – Turkey-EU

12 April 2011

Tandem – A Cultural Managers Exchange Programme - Turkey-European Union – is a new initiative by Stiftung Mercator (Essen) and the European Cultural Foundation (Amsterdam) together with MitOst (Berlin), Anadolu Kültür (Istanbul) and Istanbul Bilgi University (Istanbul). It offers the chance for 15 cultural organisations based in Germany and other EU countries to create a co-production together with Turkish partner organisations specifically from Anatolian cities. - more...

International Arts Professionals Summer School to take place 18-22 July 2011 in Brussels

08 April 2011

The International Arts Professionals Summer School is an intense week of inspirational learning for creative practitioners, arts managers and cultural project managers interested in engaging with the current debates and research in the management of visual and performing arts organisations. - more...

EU Culture Programme "Support to European cultural festivals”: Publication of results delayed

31 March 2011

The European Commission announced a delay of the publication of results for the support to European cultural festivals (strand 1.3.6). The selection results will be published on the website of DG Education & Culture in April 2011. The applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection procedure in April 2011 as well. - more...

“A Soul for Europe” – Istanbul Forum: Final publication available now

21 March 2011

The Istanbul Forum of the initiative “A Soul for Europe” entitled “Global Challenges – Cultural Visions” took place on 12 and 13 October 2010 in Istanbul. It was initiated as a laboratory to define and implement new forms of collaboration between political decision makers and civil society - including the business sector and the individual citizen - to develop Europe as a cultural project. The final publication including all speeches and discussions is now available for download at citizensofculture.net. - more...

High-level conference Budapest: "Culture as a driver for smart, inclusive and sustainable growth"

11 March 2011

European Commissioner for Education and Culture Androulla Vassiliou and the Hungarian Minister of State for Culture, Géza Szöcs participated in a conference on the contribution of culture to the Europe 2020 Growth Strategy. - more...

Ars Musica 2011 throwing open its doors to creativity

02 March 2011

For its 22nd edition, the celebrated contemporary music festival, Ars Musica, is throwing open its doors to creativity, showing just how diverse, unpredictable and playful today’s music can be. - more...

EU Culture Programme: Results for 2010 calls published

01 March 2011

The European Commission released the results of the 2010 calls for proposals under the multi-annual projects and cooperation measures (Strand 1.1 and 1.2.1) as well as for support for European Cultural Bodies (Strand 2) and cooperation projects between organisations involved in cultural policy analysis (Strand 3). - more...

Study: Which future for Intercultural Dialogue in the 2014-2020 EU Culture Programme?

21 February 2011

Intercultural Dialogue is one of three specific objectives of the Culture (2007-2013) Programme of the European Union. How has this objective been translated into the practice of funded projects and organisations? This is the question which the Platform for Intercultural Europe and Culture Action Europe have investigated with a view to contributing to the preparation of its next phase beginning in 2014. - more...

Nominees selected for the Gaudeamus Prize 2011

18 February 2011

The jury of the International Gaudeamus Muziekweek 2011, consisting of Miguel Azguime (Portugal), Rozalie Hirs (The Netherlands), and Tadeusz Wielecki (Poland), has nominated thirteen compositions for the Gaudeamus Prize 2011. These compositions, selected from over 400 entries, will be performed in the International Gaudeamus Muziekweek (Music Week). At the conclusion of the Gaudeamus Muziekweek this same jury will announce the winner of the Gaudeamus Prize. - more...

Mobility: presentations of Pearle seminar "Visa and Work Permits” available online

17 February 2011

All speeches, presentations and background texts related to the seminar "Visa and Work Permits. Incoming and Outgoing Mobility in the Live Performance Sector" organised by Pearle* on 5 October 2010 in Brussels are available online. The seminar explored issues at stake for mobile performing arts organisations and individuals and discussed ways in which impediments to mobility can be dealt with. The seminar was initiated in the context of the European project PRACTICS, supported by a Pilot Programme for Artist Mobility of the European Commission. - more...

Apply now: Tandem: Cultural Cooperation Placements Moldova – Ukraine – European Union

04 February 2011

Are you looking for new partners in Europe or interested in transnational co-operation with countries outside the European Union? The project “Tandem” makes it possible for cultural institutions from all EU member states to get a profound insight into the cultural scenes of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. - more...

Javier Solana to receive Charles V European Award of the European Academy of Yuste Foundation

02 February 2011

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia will present the Charles V European Award to Javier Solana, President of Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation, on 11 February 2011 at the Royal Monastery of Yuste, Spain. The 2010 ‘Charles V European Award’ was awarded to Javier Solana for his high level of commitment to external relations and his efforts in favor of peace and democracy as High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. The European Charles V Award Ceremony is organised by the European Academy of Yuste Foundation. - more...

Culture in Motion: 600 people registered for conference & new brochure published

01 February 2011

Around 600 people have already registered to attend the European Commission’s Culture in Motion Conference and the Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on the Future Culture Programme on 15-16 February 2011 in Brussels (Square Meeting Centre). At the occasion of the 2011 conference, the new Culture in Motion brochure has already been published. - more...

Hungarian EU Presidency: priorities in the field of culture presented

31 January 2011

According to the traditions, the rotating presidency’s ministers and state secretaries, who are presiding at various Council formations, presented the presidency’s programmes in individual areas to the European Parliament’s (EP) competent committees. The EP’s Brussels building hosted a total of 12 hearings on 25 January 2011. - more...

Conference in Budapest to discuss the role of culture in the success of Europe 2020

31 January 2011

On 28 February and 1 March 2011 in Budapest, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is organising a conference entitled “The Contribution of Culture to the Implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy”. - more...

Access! initiative launches open consultation on European Agenda for Youth and Music

26 January 2011

The Working Group Youth (WGY) of the European Music Council (EMC) is currently working on the European Agenda for Youth and Music, the major outcome of the Access! project. An open consultation has been launched now. - more...

Prix Ars Electronica 2011: Call for Entries

20 January 2011

The Prix Ars Electronica 2011, the International Competition for CyberArts, is open for entries! From its very inception in 1987, the Prix Ars Electronica is an open platform for various disciplines at the intersection of art, technology, science and society. The event calls for entries in seven categories, including a youth competition. Online Submission Deadline: 18 March 2011. - more...

"Volunteer! Make a Difference": 2011 European Year of Volunteering

10 January 2011

"If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever," Kofi Annan said. It is in this spirit that 100 million Europeans dedicate their time and expertise to help those in need and give back to their communities: A retired art teacher gives lectures on European masterpieces to foreign visitors at a museum. A high school student reads to sick children at a hospital. A former national football player coaches at a neighbourhood club. There are thousands of ways people make a difference. To highlight these efforts and encourage more citizens to join in, the European Commission today kicked off the 2011 European Year of Volunteering. Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, joined by Jean-Marc Delizée, Belgium's federal Secretary of State for Social Affairs, and European Parliament Member Marian Harkin, presented the year’s slogan: "Volunteer! Make a difference." - more...

Hungary at the head of the Council of the EU

10 January 2011

Hungary followed on from Spain and Belgium to become head of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2011.
Hungary has taken on the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time since it joined in 2004. Its priorities include stabilising the European economy, EU expansion, energy and the integration of Roma people. - more...

Committee of the Regions comments on Green Paper on cultural and creative industries

07 January 2011

On 1 December 2010, the Committee of the Regions adopted an Opinion on the Commission's Green Paper. In its opinion, the Committee welcomes the Commission's Green Paper and the European debate it has launched on the necessary conditions to improve the creative and innovative environment in Europe in order to stimulate the potential of cultural and creative industries. - more...

Tallinn and Turku: European Capitals of Culture 2011

05 January 2011

The two European Capitals of Culture chosen for 2011 are Turku in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia. In intensive year-long programmes both cities highlight the richness of cultural diversity in Europe and bring the common aspects of European cultures to the fore. The opening ceremony of Tallinn 2011 was held on New Year's Eve; Turku will open the Capital of Culture year 2011 with a three-day weekend full of events and activities from 14 to 16 January 2011. - more...

Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes participant in the Culture Programme 2007-2013

22 December 2010

On 21 December 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the terms and conditions for full participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Culture Programme 2007-2013 was signed by Commission's Director General for Education and Culture, Mr Jan Truszczyński, and Bosnia-Herzegovina's Minister of Civil affairs, Mr Nović Sredoje. - more...

First edition of “Conversations about day-to-day Europe” great success

14 December 2010

The 10th December 2010 marked the very promising start of a series of debates called Conversations about day-to-day Europe. On this first evening renowned guests were challenged to enter a debate and, what was rightly expected to become a lively conversation with the audience, on the theme “Morals, Identity and Citizenship”. The invitation was gracefully accepted by both speakers and the near 80 people that chose to pass this evening engaging in a stimulating discussion. - more...

Consultation on Report on Economic and Social Cohesion: Cultural sector invited to input

25 November 2010

Every three years, the EU publishes a report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, detailing progress in these areas and how the EU, national and regional governments have contributed.
- more...

EU Culture Council adopts EU Culture work plan for 2011-2014

23 November 2010

Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, warmly welcomed the adoption by the EU's Council of Culture Ministers of the EU Culture work plan for 2011-2014. For her part, Neelie Kroes, Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, underlined to Ministers the very considerable opportunities new technologies can bring to the creative and content industries, as identified in the Digital Agenda for Europe. The Reflection Group ('Comité des Sages') on bringing Europe's cultural heritage online, who are due to finalise their report at the beginning of 2011, held an exchange of views over lunch with Ministers, Commissioner Vassiliou and Vice-President Kroes. The Council adopted conclusions on European film heritage, on European cinema in the digital era and on the role of culture in combating poverty and social exclusion. - more...

“Morals, identity and citizenship” debated on 10 December 2010 at European House for Culture

16 November 2010

On the 10th December 2010 at 20:15, the European House for Culture invites for a debate on ‘Morals, identity and citizenship’. The debate is the first in a series of “Conversations about day-to-day Europe” organized by the European House for Culture. An impressive panel composed of writer Paul Scheffer (Amsterdam University), philosopher and economist Philippe Van Parijs (UCL) and Luuk Van Middelaar, philosopher and author – Member of the Cabinet of the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, responsible for speech writing and forward strategy, will kick off the series. - more...

Berlin Conference 2010: "Towards a Citizens' Europe"

08 November 2010

On 20 November 2010, the fourth Berlin Conference is organised by “A Soul for Europe” at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) in Berlin.
This conference is based on the conviction that Europe has to become a concern of its citizens, not only of its institutions. We are in need of an active European: A Europe of the citizens, not merely for the citizens. A new understanding of (cultural) citizenship is required to create Europe from the bottom up. How can citizens play a bigger role in creating Europe? How can they take a hand in Europe’s political mechanisms? And how can culture, business and politics foster such a development? - more...

European Youth Forum on Music: Access! and a new Committee for the Working Group Youth

27 October 2010

The Working Group Youth of the European Music Council held a highly successful European Youth Forum on Music entitled Access! in Turin, Italy from 15th-17th October 2010. The more than sixty participants from all corners of Europe, mostly in their twenties, agreed that this was an invaluable opportunity to network and learn from one another. They shared their concerns and ideas for the future of the European music sector in a series of interactive workshops and worked together towards producing a European Agenda for Youth and Music. - more...

Arterial Network envisions launch of African Festival Network

27 October 2010

At the invitation of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), Arterial Network co-hosted (with ZIFF) a two-day symposium on African festivals with a view to launching a continent-wide network of festivals and major events in all disciplines. Forty-one delegates representing more than twenty festivals including FESPACO in Burkina Faso, Harare International Festival of the Arts, the National Arts Festival of South Africa, analysed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing African festivals and events and agreed on the need for a network that would help festivals address their challenges and realise their possibilities. - more...

European Capital of Culture: Commissioner Vassiliou congratulates Polish cities preselected

Brussels, 13 October 2010

26 October 2010

At its meeting in Warsaw yesterday and today [12/13 October 2010], the selection panel appointed to assess the cities applying to be a European Capital of Culture in 2016 examined the many applications and recommended that the following be preselected: Gdańsk, Katowice, Lublin, Warszawa and Wrocław. Once this recommendation has been ratified by Poland, the preselected cities will have to flesh out and complete their applications by the summer of 2011. - more...

"A Soul for Europe" organises Istanbul Forum on “Global Challenges - Cultural Visions”

07 October 2010

Europe faces a process of tremendous changes. Politics and economy have to deal with major global challenges of unprecedented dimensions like the financial and economic crisis, environmental issues as well as the demographic change. Religious tensions and the difficult integration of minorities in different countries contribute to the success of xenophobic movements and parties. And despite of the successful ratification of the Lisbon treaty, the EU looks for its role in Europe and the world. - more...

European Commission launches consultation on future Culture Programme

07 October 2010

On 15 September 2010, the European Commission launched the public consultation on the future EU Culture Programme. The consultation is part of a wider consultation aimed at gathering views to be taken into account in the Commission’s proposal for a new Culture Programme. It is open until 15 December. The results of the consultation will be analysed and summarised in a report that will be published in the first quarter of 2011. - more...

Culture Action Europe: Launch of the campaign "we are more"

06 October 2010

On Thursday the 7th of October 2010 at 6pm, Culture Action Europe - the umbrella advocacy organisation for the arts and culture in Europe - will launch the large-scale campaign “we are more”. As well as mobilising Culture Action Europe's membership that covers over 100 members and 50.000 arts and culture players across Europe, the campaign will seek to mobilise everyone who cares about culture in Europe. - more...

European Capital of Culture: Commissioner Vassiliou congratulates Spainish cities preselected

Brussels, 30 September 2010

01 October 2010

At its four-day meeting in Madrid, the selection panel appointed to assess the cities applying to be a European Capital of Culture in 2016 recommended that the following be preselected from a fiercely competitive field: Burgos, Córdoba, Donostia-San Sebastián, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Segovia and Zaragoza. Once this recommendation has been ratified by Spain, the preselected cities will have to flesh out and complete their applications by the summer of 2011. - more...

Pilsen to be the European Capital of Culture in the Czech Republic in 2015

09 September 2010

The panel responsible for selecting the European Capital of Culture for 2015 in the Czech Republic recommended yesterday in Prague that the title be awarded to Pilsen. The other Czech city still in contention was Ostrava. The formal nomination of Pilsen by the Council of Ministers will probably take place in May 2011. - more...

ARTMUSFAIR 2010 focuses on how to meet challenges of 21 century music

05 August 2010

From 22-25 September 2010 in Warsaw, the 3rd edition of ARTMUSFAIR takes place. ARTMUSFAIR is the new music convention platform designed for composers and professionals from the European contemporary music scene. It is opened in the Capital of Poland in the frame of the 53rd Warsaw Autumn Festival and the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Frederic Chopin. - more...

"In Search of Solidarity": European Photo competition by PES Group in EU Committee of the Regions

20 July 2010

Within the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions (CoR) is launching a photo competition for young Europeans aged 18-30, entitled In search of solidarity. - more...

Mobility programme “Gulliver Connect”: Call for application 2010

30 June 2010

The Central European Foundation (Bratislava) and the Felix Meritis Foundation (Amsterdam) are proud to announce their call for applications for work placements in 2010: The mobility programme Gulliver Connect is open for young and up-coming artists, art managers and cultural operators in Europe. Applications can be submitted until 10 July 2010. - more...

Mons (P)KINKY ORCHESTRA - Ars Musica calls for projects

30 June 2010

Ars Musica, Belgium’s reference International Contemporary Music Festival, in collaboration with Le Manège and Musiques Nouvelles in Mons, are creating a new orchestra: The Mons KINKY PINKY ORCHESTRA. - more...

Culture360.org Asia-Europe: portal for arts and culture re-launched

16 June 2010

Culture360.org is a web portal initiated by the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) managed by the Cultural Exchange Department at the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). Culture360.org aims to stimulate the cultural engagement between Asia and Europe and enhance greater understanding between the two regions. Created for and fuelled by artists, cultural practitioners and policy makers, culture360.org is your platform to inform, collaborate, interact and exchange ideas with the arts and cultural communities across Asia and Europe. - more...

ON STAGE: THE 120 BEST PLAYS OF EUROPE!

09 June 2010

The ETC publishes the 9th edition of the biannual selection of the 120 best contemporary European plays for the stage. Stories written by 128 playwrights from 41 countries in 37 languages and staged on European theatres for all generations give an insight into the European cultural landscape: “European Theatre Today”. - more...

Round table on the Cultural Dimension of Europe’s External Relations

03 June 2010

On 23 June 2010 at 18.30pm at the European Parliament in Brussels, a round table discussing the issue of the “Cultural Dimension of Europe’s External Relations” takes place at the invitation of Doris Pack, Chair of the Committee for Culture and Education of the European Parliament. It is co-organised by EUNIC and “A Soul for Europe” – Brussels office European House for Culture - more...

Funding: European Commission introduces new festival strand

20 May 2010

During the latest Infoday on the EU Culture Programme on 17 May 2010 in Brussels the European Commission announced the introduction of a new strand for festivals specifically. Under the new strand the very specific needs of festivals compared to other cultural organisations are taken into account. - more...

Commission launches public consultation on future of cultural and creative industries

28 April 2010

The European Commission launches an online public consultation today aimed at unlocking the full potential of Europe's cultural and creative industries. The consultation is linked to a new Green Paper which highlights the need to improve access to finance, especially for small businesses, as key to enabling the sector to flourish and to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth. - more...

Jan Truszczyński to take over post of Director-General for Education and Culture

27 April 2010

As of 1 May 2010 Jan Truszczyński will act as Director-General of the Education and Culture DG. He will replace Odile Quintin who has been a well-regarded Director General and was the motor behind the “European agenda for culture in a globalising world”. The communication was adopted in 2007 - the first time the Commission proposed a common European strategy for culture in the EU. - more...

Reykjavik Art Festival celebrates 40th anniversary in 2010

20 April 2010

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Reykjavik Art Festival. Running from 12 May until 5 June, the festival's programme includes over 60 events that represent all art forms. Icelandic artists display new and unexpected dimensions of their art, often in collaboration with artists from abroad. - more...

"Southeast Europe: People and Culture" photo competition: Vote online!

11 March 2010

The "Southeast Europe: People and Culture" photo competition officially closed on 20 January. The jury has selected the final 24 photos from some 3200 photos submitted to the competition. Now it is time for the public to choose their favourite. - more...

European Parliament approves new European Commission

Brussels, 10 February 2010

11 February 2010

The European Parliament elected the new European Commission by 488 votes to 137, with 72 abstentions, in Strasbourg on Tuesday. The vote took the form of a single ballot on the whole College of Commissioners, consisting of one Commissioner from each of the 27 EU Member States. - more...

New Culture Commissioner Vassiliou to “strengthen the European Agenda for Culture”

15 January 2010

To make proposals to strengthen the European Agenda for Culture in its second phase is one of the priorities in the field of culture of the Culture Commissioner-Designate, Androulla Vassiliou. She underwent a three-hour scrutiny from the European Parliament’s Culture Committee on 14 January 2010. - more...

EU to launch 2010 European Year on 21 January in Madrid

13 January 2010

Jointly organised by the Spanish Presidency of the European Union and the European Commission, the Opening Conference of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, will take place in Madrid, Spain, on 21st January. - more...

European Capitals of Culture 2010: Essen, Pécs and Istanbul kick-off their programmes

12 January 2010

Three European cities are set to kick off a year-long culture fest featuring exhibitions, music and theatre. The cities chosen to be this year's European capitals of culture are Essen and the Ruhr region of Germany, Pécs in southern Hungary and Istanbul in Turkey. Taking over from Linz (Austria) and Vilnius (Lithuania), the three have put together a packed programme of events that should attract tens of thousands of visitors. - more...

AAPAF launches new website and 2010 Intership Award

14 December 2009

Recently, the Association of Asian Performing Arts Festivals (AAPAF) has launched its new website giving great visibility to its activities and members. The website gathers all important information on the most dynamic festivals in Asia. - more...

Call for papers for 2010 EFRP research workshop on artistic festivals with a social agenda

14 December 2009

The European Festivals Research Project (EFRP) publishes a call for papers for its next research meeting. The symposium entitled “Artistic festivals with a social and intellectual agenda” will be held on 24-25 April 2010 in Poznań/Poland in association with the Institute of Cultural Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University. Deadline for submission of proposals is 1 February 2010. Read the call here below for more information. - more...

ENCATC organises policy debate on artists’ mobility: 9 December, Brussels

08 December 2009

ENCATC, the the European network of higher educational institutions and training organisations in the area of cultural management and cultural policy, leads the EU project "Artists Moving & Learning". First results of the study on mobile artists in Europe will be presented at an ENCATC policy debate on “Mobility – a key instrument for Life Long Learning and artists” on 9 December 2009 in Brussels. - more...

President Barroso unveils his new team with new Culture Commissioner from Cyprus

04 December 2009

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, today announced the portfolios responsibilities for the next Commission. The President has held detailed consultations with all the Commissioners-designate in order to assign the right jobs to the right people. The President believes that this team can deliver the agenda for change he set out in the political guidelines he presented in September, following his nomination by all 27 Member States and before his approval as President of the next Commission by the European Parliament. - more...

Culture features prominently in the Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe

13 November 2009

The "Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe" is one of the key outcomes of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. The document is the result of a collective work of the Ambassadors of the Year, who are leading European personalities from the fields of culture, science, business, education and design. On 12 November 2009, the Ambassadors handed the Manifesto over to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at a ceremony in the Commission's press room. - more...

Culturelink Conference to discuss “Networks – The Evolving Aspects of Culture in the 21st Century”

12 November 2009

The Culturelink Network celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. To mark this occasion, Culturelink is organising the Third World Culturelink Conference under the title "Networks – The Evolving Aspects of Culture in the 21st Century", to be held from 13 to 15 November 2009 in Zagreb, Croatia. - more...

Share Your Image of Southeast Europe – photo competition launched!

04 November 2009

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement launched the Southeast Europe: People and Culture photo competition. This pan-European contest offers anyone with an interest in photography an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and technical skills through photos depicting culture and sports in Southeast Europe. - more...

Forum Cluj to focus on “Culture and Urban Development”

21 October 2009

Forum Cluj is a platform for cooperation between civil society and decision-makers that aims to gain a new understanding of regional and urban development, one that includes and makes use of its cultural dimension. - more...

6th Brussels Debate: Cultural diversity as a basis for creativity and innovation?

19 October 2009

The role of cultural diversity as a basis for creativity and innovation was discussed on Thursday 15 October in the sixth Brussels Debate organised in the framework of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. The debate entitled "Cultural diversity: spicing up Creativity?" was organised by the European Commission together with the European Policy Centre (EPC). It took place at 17.00 in the Residence Palace and was opened by Maroš Ševčovič, the new European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. - more...

European social partners representing live performance sector launch joint statement

19 October 2009

Following several exchanges at social dialogue meetings in Brussels on the significance of creativity in the sector and the contribution of creativity to society, the European sectoral social partners ‘live performance’ issued a joint statement. The statement was presented at a Flash Info session on 30 September in the framework of the European Culture Forum in Brussels. More than 1,000 stakeholders came together at the European Commission event that took place on 29 and 30 September. - more...

A different look at Southeast Europe: EU website puts culture in the spotlight

16 October 2009

What is on the cultural and sports agenda in Southeast Europe? Journalists from the Western Balkans and Turkey present art, dance and theatre, film, gastronomy, literature, music and sports of the region on a website initiated by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement. - more...

News from Asian festivals: Get inspired!

14 October 2009

The thirteenth issue of the quarterly newsletter “E-News” of the Association of Asian Performing Arts Festivals (AAPAF) again provides highly inspiring news from the Asian world of festivals. In this issue: 2009 AAPAF Annual General Meeting & Conference, AAPAF Internship Award 2010, Silk Road Arts Festival, JakArt (at) 2009, Hong Kong Arts Festival, New Vision Arts Festival as well as some news from beyond Asia, like the Festival Internacional Cervantino and the EFA FestLab for Creativity and Innovation. - more...

Slovak Maros Sefcovic appointed new EU Culture Commissioner

02 October 2009

Following the resignation of Slovak Commissioner Ján Figel’, who was elected to head the Conservative Christian Democrat Movement (KDH) in his country, Maros Sefcovic has been appointed by his government, in accord with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, to take over the post as European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Professional Training and Youth. - more...

Access to Culture Platform presents policy recommendations at EU Culture Forum

Brussels, 26 September 2009

24 September 2009

On Tuesday 29 September, the Civil Society Platform on Access to Culture presents its recommendations and further actions in public during the Culture Forum in Brussels organised by the European Commission. - more...

No Culture – no Europe! "A Soul for Europe" meets in Brussels

Brussels, 26 September 2009

24 September 2009

The Civil Society Initiative “A Soul for Europe” will meet in Brussels at the beginning of the new legislative period of the European Parliament to define its action plans on how to harness Europe’s cultural strengths more efficiently. - more...

Artmusfair 2009: 29 October-1 November in Glasgow

04 September 2009

Shaping the Future of Contemporary Music – under this challenging title, ARTMUSFAIR 2009 is open to representatives from the entire contemporary classical music scene and aims to attract some 500 composers, music publishers, record labels, musicians, promoters, managers and agents from across the European Community. Key objectives will be the building of new and closer partnerships, the exchange of new music ideas, and the sharing of the latest best-practice examples of innovation in the contemporary music world. - more...

Asia-Europe Foundation launches new scheme for film and the performing arts

31 August 2009

The Asia-Europe Foundation announces a new partnership initiative scheme for organisations in film and the performing arts sectors. Please find a short description and the call for applications in the text below. - more...

Dutch Chamber Music Meeting 2009 focuses on the globalisation of Western Classical Music

Amsterdam, 10 - 12 October 2009

20 August 2009

At the occasion of the 2009 General Assembly of the European Festivals Association, the Music Center the Netherlands gave a presentation on "the Globalisation of Western Classical music" in one of the working sessions that took place in the framework of the conference on “Artistic Trends in Festivals” (Vilnius/Lithuania, 14 May 2009). - more...

Singapore Showcase in Edinburgh: 6-30 August

27 July 2009

Renowned as a nation of commerce, cultural diversity and tropical warmth, Singapore has long been regarded as the perfect gateway to Asia, a place to rest a few days before venturing on. Those who look beneath the surface will see a modern cosmopolitan Singapore, infused with a dynamic and seductive energy that spills beyond the 710 square kilometres of this island city-state. - more...

Registration for European Culture Forum now open

Brussels, 23 July 2009

23 July 2009

Today, the European Commission opened the registration for the Culture in motion conference on 28 September and the European Culture Forum on 29/30 September taking place in Brussels. The European Culture Forum aims to bring together around 600 participants from culture civil society, Member States and EU institutions. - more...

“Imagine a new world”: European Commission launches photo competition

15 July 2009

In the framework of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation (EYCI) 2009, the European Commission launched the “Imagine a new world” photo competition at the beginning of June 2009. Professional and amateur photographers of all ages from across the EU are invited to participate. - more...

Jerzy Buzek elected new President of the European Parliament

14 July 2009

Polish MEP Jerzy Buzek (EPP) has been elected President of the European Parliament for the next two and half years, replacing Hans-Gert Pöttering. The ballot took place on 14 July 2009 in Strasbourg, during the opening session of the new European Parliament. Mr Buzek was elected with 555 votes. - more...

European Commission published study on the “Impact of Culture on Creativity”

13 July 2009

In the framework of the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation, the European Commission published a study on the “Impact of Culture on Creativity” carried out by KEA European Affairs, a Brussels-based consultancy specialised in the creative industries and cultural sectors. - more...

Performing Arts Market in Seoul takes place from 12-16 October 2009

Seoul, Korea

02 July 2009

The 5th Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) will take place from 12 to 16 October 2009 at the National Theatre of Korea in Seoul. Coinciding with the Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Seoul International Dance Festival and the World Festival of National Theater in October, PAMS is the best opportunity for international programmers to experience the best of Korea performing arts. - more...

Council of Europe launches “Cracow process”

30 June 2009

From 4-6 June in Krakow, a conference and experts’ round table on ‘Culture and Development: 20 Years After the Fall of Communism in Europe’ organised by the Council of Europe in the framework of “CultureWatchEurope”, the Council of Europe’s information platform for culture, heritage and media development, took place. - more...

European Culture Forum: 29-30 September 2009 in Brussels

Brussels

25 June 2009

The European Culture Forum on 29-30 September aims to bring together around 600 participants from culture civil society, Member States and EU institutions to take stock of progress in implementing the European Agenda for Culture. - more...

New EUROCITIES publication: a journey through 23 “Intercultural Cities”

24 June 2009

“Intercultural cities - A journey through 23 European cities” presents the results of a one-year programme coordinated by EUROCITIES as part of the Intercultural Cities programme, a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. - more...

Open Society Institute gives $100 Million to aid Europeans in need

22 June 2009

The Open Society Institute will give $100 million to help communities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union hardest hit by the global economic downturn.
“I believe it is the duty of those who have the means to step in to help,” said Open Society Institute chairman George Soros. “My foundation has a long commitment to the region. I wanted to do what I can, although I know it cannot alleviate the suffering.” - more...

A Soul for Europe resolution passed the European Parliament

22 June 2009

The resolution on Culture as a means for regional development passed the European Parliament on 2 April. As a first result of the informal EP Intergroup ‘A Soul for Europe’ established on the initiative of a group of members of the European Parliament, the resolution calls up for including culture as a means for sustainable regional development in Europe. Incorporating one of the main aims put forward by the civil society initiative A Soul for Europe, Parliamentarians argue to support regional development through contemporary culture projects based on civil-society initiatives as the most effective and powerful players. - more...

Financial crisis: How has it affected your work? - LabforCulture is collecting stories

13 June 2009

In January 2009 LabforCulture published the article How can the cultural sector survive the financial crisis?. Written by Helmut Anheier, this article looks at the global financial situation in the culture and arts sector, and presents real suggestion for weathering the storm. - more...

The role of culture in boosting creativity and innovation further recognised

12 June 2009

The Ministers of Culture of the 27 Member States recognise that a strategic investment in culture, as well as in cultural and creative industries is vital for strengthening a dynamic creative society and creating jobs in the European Union. - more...

Artist mobility project SPACE publishes call for European training programme

08 June 2009

Ten national cultural institutions with an international policy and practice created a new platform, dedicated to Support the Performing Arts Circulation in Europe: SPACE. - more...

Mobility of artists: New study on information systems published

20 May 2009

At the beginning of April, a new feasibility study on “Information systems to support the mobility of artists and other professionals in the culture” has been published. The study was carried out by ECOTEC Research & Consulting Ltd for the European Commission in the framework of the pilot project for artist mobility. - more...

Figel’: Culture must be brought closer to the centre of EU policies

Brussels, 2 April 2009

12 May 2009

On 2 April, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Mr Ján Figel', held a speech in the European Parliament about “Promoting education and culture as priority policies for the EU” in the framework of the structured dialogue with the EP Culture Committee. - more...

Cultural Policy Research Award 2009: Application Process until 23 May

11 May 2009

The European Cultural Foundation, the Riksbankens Jublileumsfond and the European Network of Cultural Administration and Training Centres (ENCATC) launched the application process for the Policy Research Award 2009 earlier this year. - more...

Polish pianist wins the International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition 2009

Amsterdam, 27 April 2009

27 April 2009

The International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition, organised by Music Center the Netherlands and open to musicians up to 35 years of age, took place in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) from 20 to 26 April 2009. The jury of the 37th edition of this competition for the performance of contemporary music consisted of Lucas Vis (chairman), Wiek Hijmans, Luc Houtkamp, Stefano Scodanibbio, and Steffen Schleiermacher. In the First Round there were 62 participants, in the Second Round 16 were left. There were 5 finalists. - more...

First Alexandrina Contemporary Music Biennale to be launched

20 April 2009

From 25 April to 1 May 2009, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in cooperation with the Cairo Opera House is launching the First Alexandrina Contemporary Music Biennale. The Alexandrina Contemporary Music Biennale is organised by the BA Arts Center. - more...

Conference: “The future of intellectual property” (23-24 April 2009)

17 March 2009

The era of digital networks has given rise to new problems in the area of intellectual property. They include the question of how best to deal with the massive numbers of downloads of film, music and software via peer-to-peer file sharing. They also open up copyright issues arising out of the digitalization of entire public libraries. - more...

Third Berlin Conference – Documentation now available online

10 March 2009

The documentation of the third Berlin Conference (14/15 November 2008) including film clips and text documents is now available online at the “A Soul for Europe” website. - more...

Education: Central European University Adds a Cultural Policy Stream

07 January 2009

The Department of Public Policy at the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest offers a one-year MA in Public Policy with an optional specialization in the field of cultural policy. - more...

Call for papers on ‘International theatre festivals and audience development’

16 October 2008

The 13th International Symposium of Theatre Critics and Scholars on "International theatre festivals and audience development", organised by the Sterijino Pozorje, Novi Sad, Serbia, in association with the International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC) and the European Festival Research Project (EFRP) will take place in Novi Sad, Serbia, from 28-31 May 2009. - more...

Book Launch: Festivals in Europe

16 October 2008

Available soon: Festivals in Europe!
The festival boom throughout Europe araises questions and demands analysis: how are festivals born, how do they develop, how do they balance local interaction and international co-operation, how do they economically, culturally or socially impact on their respective territories? - more...

Rainbow Paper: Intercultural Dialogue – from practice to policy and back

13 October 2008

Endorse it on: http://rainbowpaper.labforculture.org
Dear participants of the Civil Society Platform for Intercultural Dialogue,
- more...

Huck Hodge wins GAUDEAMUS PRIZE 2008

Amsterdam, 7 September 2008

10 September 2008

At the final concert of the International Gaudeamus Music Week 2008, which took place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from 1 to 7 September, the Gaudeamus Prize was awarded to the American composer Huck Hodge (1977). He receives the award of 4,550 Euros, intended as a commission for a new work to be performed at the next edition of the International Gaudeamus Music Week. - more...

Shanghai Festival celebrates 10th anniversary

04 August 2008

The 10th China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) takes place from 18 until 22 October 2008. It also features the Shanghai Performing Arts Fair (SPAF).
The objective of China Shanghai International Arts Festival is to present the best in world culture, promote Chinese ethical arts, enhance Sino-Foreign cultural exchange and improve the cultural market. The festival is composed of Performing Programs, Public Activities, Performing Arts Fair, Academic Study and Forums, etc. - more...

JakArt@2008 Festival just about to start: Festival runs from 31 July until 5 August 2008

30 July 2008

The JakArt (at) 2008 Festival runs from 31 July until 5 August 2008. Coinciding with the Annual General Meeting of AAPAF (Association of Asian Performing Arts Festivals) JakArt also hosts a general conference which will explore “The Relevance and Importance of the Arts & Culture in shaping the 21st Century” with a specific section dedicated to examining and exploring the role that festivals and cultural organizations have to play in this context. - more...

AAPAF launches 2009 International Festival Internships

16 July 2008

Arts enthusiasts keen to experience first-hand workings behind international art festivals can now apply for the inaugural 2009 AAPAF Internship Award. Offered by the Association of Asian Performing Arts Festivals (AAPAF), the annual international internship awards are aimed at nurturing Asia-based arts students, administrators and practitioners by providing them opportunities to learn and be exposed to festivals worldwide. - more...

White Book on Contemporary Italian Music published

14 June 2008

White Book, curated by Federazione CEMAT and R.It.M.O (Italian Network of Organised Musicians), produced by Federazione CEMAT is the first publication in Italy on the actors promoting and organizing contemporary music activities at national level. - more...

Rainbow paper on Intercultural Dialogue: Consultation online

29 April 2008

The Civil Society Platform for Intercultural Dialogue, the Rainbow Platform, has been a major EFAH project, jointly with the European Cultural Foundation, since October 2006 - many of you have participated in it. Here comes an opportunity for the wider EFAH membership to come on board: - more...

Gulliver Connects! Call for work placements 2008

20 February 2008

Gulliver Connects!
A mobility programme through work placements
for young and up-coming artists, art managers and cultural operators in Europe.
The Central European Foundation (Bratislava), KulturKontakt (Austria) and The Felix Meritis Foundation (Amsterdam) are proud to present a new call for applications for work placements in 2008. - more...

Statistical portrait of the European Union 2008 - European Year of Intercultural Dialogue

10 February 2008

This Eurostat brochure celebrates the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 which aims to promote dialogue, knowledge and skills enabling all persons living in Europe to deal with a more complex society; a society which should be open to the world and respectful of cultural diversity, while being based on a set of common values. - more...

IFEA Annual Conference

05 February 2008

The next IFEA Conference will take place in Reykjavik from 27 till 29 February 2008. Read more about the programme, subscription and all other information here. - more...

Brussels Debates in the framework of the EYID

Brussels

01 February 2008

Seven debates will be held in Brussels throughout EYID 2008, covering a range of intercultural dialogue issues from interfaith dialogue to multilingualism and the role of the media. The debates are designed to provide a platform for reflection and exchange of ideas which can contribute to policy discussion on intercultural dialogue. Find all details here. - more...

Gaudeamus becomes Music Center the Netherlands

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

08 January 2008

On January 1, 2008, Gaudeamus will merge in a single large music institute in which classical, contemporary, jazz and pop music will all be incorporated. The name of the new organization is Music Center the Netherlands (MCN). Besides Gaudeamus, the other merging partners are Donemus, 'De Kamervraag', the combined jazz organizations and the Dutch Rock and Pop Institute. - more...

EFIL Conference: Moving Beyond Mobility

13-14 October 2008, Berlin

01 January 2008

EFA shares with you news from the European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL).
We would like to notify you about our upcoming conference « Moving Beyond Mobility », which fits in perfectly with the theme of the European Year for Intercultural Dialogue. Our Conference will take place in Berlin from October 13-14, 2008 under the patronage of Ján Figel', Member of the European Commission, responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. - more...

Culture Europe International online

01 December 2007

Culture Europe International, the magazine devoted to cultural practicies and policies in Europe is from now on internet!
Culture Europe International has become an online magazine, freely available on the website: www.culture-europe-international.org. - more...

European Agenda for Culture approved

18 November 2007

On 16 November, the Culture Council in the framework of the Council meeting approved the first ever European Agenda for Culture!
The European Agenda for Culture proposed by the European Commission in May and discussed at the European Parliament and the Council introduces a more structured system of cooperation between member states and with stakeholders at the same time. In its implementation, the agenda focuses on three concrete priorities: - more...

European Cinema : A Soul for Europe

10 October 2007

European Parliament Cultural Diversity Days : "European Cinema : A Soul for Europe"

Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 October
European Parliament, Rue Wietz / Brussels
- more...

They Kill Theater Directors!

13 September 2007

Theater director Mark Weil was brutally assaulted on September 6 by two unknown attackers in the lobby of his apartment house in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and died a few hours later in the hospital, on the eve of a new premiere and a new theater season of his Ilkhom Theater. He was 55 years old. - more...

Mobility of Imagination - Book by Dragan Klaic published

06 September 2007

Mobility of Imagination
A companion guide to international cultural cooperation
By Dragan Klaic
Published in September 2007 by the Center of Arts and Culture, Central European University Budapest, with the support of SICA Amsterdam, Budapest Observatory and Euclid, Liverpool. - more...

Rainbow Paper on Intercultural Dialogue - Open consultation

03 September 2007

Open Consultation!
Deadline now 14th September 2007This consultation asks eight questions on how to make intercultural dialogue happen more. It solicits answers from a broad range of civil society actors with experience of, or interest in intercultural dialogue. The collective result will be the basis for a dissemination campaign in the course of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. To read the consultation document and to participate, please click EN, FR, DE and ES. - more...

Opportunity for Action on the Communication on Culture

16 August 2007

Ask your Ministry to engage actively with the future European Agenda for Culture and to involve national cultural operators in the process!
Following their regular updates and briefing notes informing you on the progress of the EC’s Communication, EFAH would like to ask you to take this opportunity to contact your national authorities and politicians to make sure they engage actively in the debate and involve cultural operators in the process. - more...

EU Calls for Proposals 2008

07 August 2007

HOT OFF THE PRESS !
The Calls for Proposals for 2008 have been published in the EU Official Journal today!(OJ C 184). Please find the different calls hereunder:
- Call for proposals — EACEA/23/07 — Support for cultural actions: multi-annual cooperation projects (strand 1.1), cooperation measures (strand 1.2.1) - more...

Rainbow Paper

06 July 2007

The European Forum for the Arts and Heritage announces that the consultation for the Rainbow Paper on Intercultural Dialogue is now open!
This Paper asks eight questions on how to make intercultural dialogue happen more. The collective result will be the basis for a dissemination campaign in the course of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 which could involve all of you. - more...

The Communication A European Agenda for culture in a globalizing world

15 June 2007

On 10 May 2007, the European Commission adopted a Communication on a European Agenda for culture in a globalising world.
This Communication is a significant policy document that affirms the central role of culture in the process of European integration. It also aims at developing a common cultural agenda for Europe and for its relations with third countries. - more...

ENCATC Recent Publication

02 May 2007

The Bologna Process and Cultural Education
This publication “The Bologna Process and Cultural Education” consists of two main parts:
A survey on the implementation of the Bologna Process in interdisciplinary degree programmes - more...

9 May is Europe Day

01 May 2007

9 May is "Europe Day": on 9 May 1950 the first move was made towards the creation of what is now known as the European Union.
In Paris that day,the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman (9 May is also called 'Schuman Day') read to the international press a declaration calling France, Germany and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation". - more...

EU Culture Programme - Deadlines

23 April 2007

The Call for Proposals (for cultural cooperation projects in 2008) of the EU Culture Programme may be expected in May/June this year, with deadlines in October/November. Please follow the news on the EU Culture website. - more...

Danish percussionist Reumert wins the International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition 2007

23 April 2007

The International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition, open to musicians up to 35 years of age, took place in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) from 15 to 22 April 2007. The jury of the 36th edition of this competition for the performance of contemporary music consisted of Magnus Andersson (guitar), Stephen Drury (piano), Rohan de Saram (violoncello), Benny Sluchin (trombone) en Harrie Starreveld (flute). In the First Round there were 59 participants, in the Second Round 17 were left. There were 5 finalists. - more...

European Cultural Foundation publishes Special Mobility e-zine

20 April 2007

The European Cultural Foundation published a special e-zine that brings an array of cultural and political voices with insightful things to say on the subject of Mobility, along with a brief guide to the funds and tools available, compiled by Cristina Farinha. - more...

Fondation Goldberg annonce Prix annuel

13 April 2007

La Fondation Goldberg, récemment créée pour impulser le développement d’initiatives pour la récupération, la promotion, la divulgation et la revalorisation du patrimoine de la musique classique, a décidé l’institution d’un prix annuel qui récompense les meilleurs contributions dans le domaine de la recherche et de la divulgation de l’histoire et du patrimoine de la musique ancienne. - more...

EC Call for Proposals for 2008 launched

11 April 2007

The European Commission published the call for proposals for projects in support of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008:
1. Open call for proposals-DG EAC/07/2007 – Deadline 31 July 2007 - more...

Berlin Decleration at the occasion of EU 50th anniversary

01 April 2007

Herewith you will find the links to the English and French versions of the Berlin Declaration signed by the presidents of the EU three main institutions (European Parliament, European Council, European Commission) and adopted by the heads of states of all 27 EU member states at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. - more...

Forum Belgrade 30 - 31 March 2007, Sava Centre, Belgrade, Serbia

14 March 2007

We are pleased to announce the upcoming Forum Belgrade which will take place on the 30th and 31st of March, Sava Centre in Belgrade.
Felix Meritis is producing this event in co-operation with the association Cultural Front, the “A Soul for Europe” initiative and other local and international partners. - more...

2008 - Results on Call for Ideas online

01 March 2007

The European Commission published the results of the "Call for ideas" for promoting intercultural dialogue in Europe.
The call for ideas has been addressed to civil society and all other interested parties to engage them into the year and enable the Commission to define guidelines for future calls for proposals, which will be published at the beginning of April 2007, in the framework of the Year of Intercultural Dialogue. - more...

Study on Study on the Economy of Culture in Europe published

01 February 2007

Study on the Economy of Culture in Europe published
This study is a first at European level. It highlights the direct (in terms of GDP, growth and employment) as well as the indirect (links between creativity and innovation, links with the ICT sector, regional development and attractiveness) contribution of the cultural and creative sectors towards the Lisbon Agenda. - more...

Daniel Barenboim with First Discourses on Europe

01 February 2007

Daniel Barenboim hold the first discourse on Europe dedicated to 'The Power of Music. Europe's commitment in the Middle East and in the world".
As one of the sub-projects ideated in the follow-up of the Berliner Konferenz and as part of the "Berlin Process", the European Discourses aspire to produce specific results demonstrating that creating 'A Soul for Europe' is a worthwhile undertaking and that this ambitious objective can be met. - more...

International colloquium: Festivals on the Electronic Highway

25 January 2007

Holland Festival, European Festival Research Project and Waag Society (Institute for Technology & Culture) plan to organize in Amsterdam in June 2007 an international colloquium
Festivals on the Electronic Highway - more...

Kennedy Center Fellowships offer training opportunities

15 January 2007

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offers valuable training for arts managers through the Fellowship Program. The program provides 10 highly motivated, disciplined, and creative artists and arts managers the instruction and experience they need to succeed in today’s complex arts environment. - more...

IFEA Annual Conference in Athens

14 January 2007

IFEA Europe, the European network connecting festival and public event professionals around the world, invites you to participate in the leading conference on festival and event management in Europe. - more...

New EU Culture Programme established

05 January 2007

On 12 December 2006, the European Union decided on the new Culture Programme, a Community programme established for seven years (2007-2013)
The programme shall be implemented over a period starting on 1 January 2007 and ending on 31 December 2013. - more...

Website European Year of Cultural Dialogue

01 January 2007

In the run-up to the EYID 2008, part of its future website has been launched in a preliminary version today. The website was developed in cooperation with civil society and is being launched in two phases: - more...

UNESCO CONVENTION RATIFIED

01 January 2007

The UNESCO announcement:

Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions will enter into force on 18 March 2007

19-12-2006 8:00 am The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in October 2005, will enter into force on 18 March 2007, three months after the deposit of the 30th instrument of ratification on 18 December at UNESCO. As of 15 December, 22 instruments of ratification had been registered*. On the 18th, another 13 countries**, as well as the European Community, deposited their instrument at the Organization’s Headquarters, bringing the total number of ratifications received to 35. The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, welcomed the high-level of interest shown by Member States for this new legal instrument. “The rapidity of the ratification process is unprecedented. None of UNESCO’s other cultural conventions has been adopted by so many States in so little time,” Mr Matsuura said. “The ratification by the European Union, made possible by Article 27 of the text allowing “accession by any regional economic integration organization” is a first, and will celebrated at a special ceremony on December 19 in Brussels. - more...

Forum Amsterdam: The Role of the City in Building Europe

30 November 2006

On 10 December, at the Felix Meritis Foundation, the second "Forum Amsterdam" on the role of the city in Building Europe is taking place.
Pleaes download the detailed Programme of the Forum. - more...

Conditional Call for Proposals Culture 2007-2013 published

08 November 2006

The provisional call for proposals under the new Culture 2007-2013 programme has been published by the European Commission: Deadline for the submission of projects: 28 February 2007.See more details on the Call on the EU website. - more...

Pearle and CUP partners published Copyright Users Platform results

18 October 2006

Please find herewith the brochure published jointly by the members of the Copyright Users Platform (CUP) in June 2006. It describes some of the concerns and risks which copyright users are increasingly being confronted with. The position of Pearle as regards the use of copyrights in the live performance sector can be found on pages 16 and 17 of the brochure. Please download the electronic version here. - more...

Timetable - Deadlines Culture 2007

05 October 2006

The timetable has now been confirmed as follows:
1. The conditional call will be out in October
2. Application forms will be available at end of October
3. 31 December 2006 will be the deadline for applications for European networks and agencies - more...

People Network looking for Europeans to participate in Berlin Conference 2006

01 October 2006

The People Network is looking for bright, young Europeans to participate in the Berlin Conference: “A Soul for Europe”, 17 - 19 November 2006.

The People Network (a project of the Felix Meritis Foundation, Amsterdam) is engaged in identifying a number of young talented individuals to participate in the second Berlin Conference "A Soul for Europe" which will be held from the 17th to the 19th of November 2006. - more...

2008 - European Year of Intercultural Dialogue

30 September 2006

EU-Call for ideas for 2008 – Year of Intercultural Dialogue
In October 2005, the European Commission proposed to declare 2008 the “Year of intercultural dialogue” EU Proposal. The year aims to promote intercultural dialogue as an instrument to assist European citizens in acquiring the knowledge and attitudes to enable them to deal with a more open and more complex environment and to raise awareness of issues regarding intercultural dialogue. The overall budget for the year 2008 amounts to 10 Million Euro. - more...

Second Berlin Conference on 17 - 19 November 2006

01 September 2006

The second Berlin Conference will be held from 17 to 19 November 2006, as agreed with EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Its motto "A Soul for Europe" was originally coined by former EU Commission President Jacques Delors. - more...

IETM: Mobile.Home is launched !

16 June 2006

In May 2006 the EU DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities has selected the MOBILE.HOME project of IETM, the Finnish Theatre Information Centre, Pearle*, Goethe-Institut (Brussels), Visiting Arts, www.on-the-move.org and associated partners and awarded them with the sum of 163.793,17 Euro for this mobility awareness raising project. The European Commission has named 2006 the European Year of Workers’ Mobility. The year aims to raise awareness and increase understanding of the benefits of both working abroad and in a new occupation. - more...

LabforCulture goes live!

10 June 2006

LabforCulture launched by European Cultural Foundation: www.labforculture.org.
LabforCulture, the dynamic, new interactive website aimed at all those in arts and culture who collaborate, create, share and produce work across borders in Europe, went live yesterday, 8 June 2006. - more...

Monitoring the ratification process - latest news

13 April 2006

You will find latest news regarding the process of ratification of the UNESCO Convention on cultural diversity in the recent issue of the "Diversity of Cultural Expressions News". - more...

IMC publishes World Music News

01 April 2006

To IMC Members

IMC publishes MUSIC WORLD NEWS. Weekly service will begin in May.

The trial edition will be distributed to our present network world-wide.

- more...

Festivals: Challenges of Growth - 1-day conference in Leicester

01 March 2006

"Festivals: Challenges of Growth", is a conference taking place at the De Montfort University in Leicester (UK) on March 3 2006, organised by the De Montfort University in association with the Arts Council of England and EFA. Please have a look at the [http://efaextra.efa-aef.org/efadoc/12/Festivals%20-%20Challenges%20of%20Growth%20One-day%20Conference%20(2).pdf]programme. - more...

AMA to manage Audiences Europe Network

21 February 2006

The Arts Marketing Association (AMA) has announced that it is developing its support for arts professionals across Europe. From January 2006, the Audiences Europe Network (AEN) is being managed by the AMA. - more...

UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

23 January 2006

Please find herewith the direct link to the UNESCO website where you can download all six official language versions of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese. - more...

EFAH+ECF open letter regarding EU budget 2007-2013

20 December 2005

Please read the "Open Letter to the EU Heads of State or Government and EU Foreign Ministers on the Negotiations of the EU’s Budgetary Framework for 2007-2013", addressed by EFAH and ECF: in English and French. - more...

Inclusive Europe? Horizon 2020 concluded with remarkable contributions

22 November 2005

The Budapest conference [“Inclusive Europe? Horizon 2020”]http://www.inclusiveeurope.hu/ has been concluded successfully on Saturday, 19 November 2005 after three intense days of debate, discussion and deliberation on the immense contribution of culture in reviving the European vision and its power to foster social inclusion; because, as repeatedly expressed at various levels and now again by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, the question is not anymore what Europe does for culture but what culture does for Europe. - more...

New guide to music in Denmark

22 November 2005

Don't get lost in the Danish Musical Landscape! Find your way to information sites, news, articles, etc., via [www.DanishMusic.info]www.DanishMusic.info, a new portal launched by the Music Centre of the Danish Arts Agency. - more...

Le Festival Archipel cherche un/une directeur/directrice (Poste à 50 %)

02 November 2005

Après 15 ans d’activité soutenue à Genève, Archipel - festival de musiques contemporaines- s’affirme comme un festival de renom international. La personne choisie pour le diriger aura une grande latitude dans sa programmation et une grande liberté dans l’organisation du travail. - more...

International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM) Meeting in Utrecht, 24-27 Nov 2005

27 September 2005

Dear colleagues in the field,
Over 400 professionals in the contemporary performing arts world will be meeting during the Autumn Plenary Meeting of IETM- the international network for contemporary performing arts - in Utrecht, The Netherlands from 24th to 27th of November 2005. - more...

Oscar Bianchi wins Gaudeamus Prize 2005

11 September 2005

At the end of the International Gaudeamus Music Week 2005, which took place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from 4 to 11 September, the GAUDEAMUS PRIZE was awarded to Oscar Bianchi (Italy, 1975). He received the prize for Primordia Rerum, a composition performed on September 6 in the “Muziekgebouw aan ‘t Y” by the Nieuw Ensemble, conducted by Lucas Vis. The Gaudeamus Prize is 4550 Euros, intended as a commission for a new work to be performed in the following edition of the Music Week in 2006. - more...

Call for projects under the Culture 2000 programme out!

13 July 2005

The 2006 call for Culture 2000 is available now! Deadline for 1 year projects and translation projects is 17 October, for 2-3 year projects and third countries projects 28 October.
All relevant information related to the call is available on the European Commission's official web-site at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/how_particip2000/pract_info/appel_2006_en.html. - more...

Asian performing arts fair and festivals

12 July 2005

The European Festivals Association has opened doors in Asia!
Jan Briers, Vice-President and Hugo De Greef, Secretary General both had the opportunity to represent EFA on a number of occasions in Asia at the beginning of June 2005: Taiwan and Singapore were on the agenda: the Performing Arts Fair in Kaoshiung / Taiwan, the Asian Arts Mart 2005 in Singapore, meetings with AAPPAC, the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centre and AAPAF, the Association of Asian Performing Arts Festivals, and more than 140 colleagues form the cultural field in the framework of the conference “Critically Speaking: Asia and Europe Contemporary Performing Arts Colloquium” (with the conclusions of the working session on “Different Models of Performing Arts Festivals in Asia & Europe”). - more...

Study on the European Capitals of Culture (1995-2004)

01 July 2005

Please find here below the link to the report by Robert Palmer on the European Cities and Capitals and European Cultural months from 1995-2005: click
here. - more...

Festivals: where arts, culture and tourism meet

24 May 2005

Hugo De Greef has been one of the keynote speakers at the Congress on "Festivals: where arts, culture and tourism meet" in Parma at the invitation of our collective member Italiafestival, hosted by the Teatro Festival Parma on May 20th and 21st. This congress brought together some representatives from the tourist, the festivals, the economic and the political sector in order to discuss the role of festivals in different contexts. - more...

Paris Conference for a Europe of Culture:

10 May 2005

Paris Conference for a Europe of Culture: A European discussion among artists, intellectuals, politicians and cultural officials
A high-visibility conference for a Europe of Culture has been held in Paris on May 2 and 3, 2005. At the invitation of the French minister of culture and communication, Mr. Donnedieu de Vabres, Hugo De Greef represented EFA at this conference which has been opened by no less a person than Jacques Chirac, President of France. - more...

EU - UNESCO meeting in Brussels on the cultural convention.

01 January 2005

The European Commission invited networks and interested to participate at an information meeting on the ongoing UNESCO negotiations towards a Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions, held on 4 July 2005 at the European Commission. Please read more about the UNESCO convention http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/culture/portal/action/diversity/unesco_en.htm. - more...

Berliner Konferenz "A soul for Europe"

30 November 2004

The Berlin Conference “A Soul for Europe”, by bringing together more than 300 political, cultural and administrative leaders of Europe, initiated a process for placing sustainable cultural growth at the heart of the European project. - more...

Europist - Istanbul Virtual European Cultural Center website: www.europist.net

22 November 2004

The European Festivals Association has been included on the Europist - Istanbul Virtual European Cultural Center website(www.europist.net), the brand-new virtual platform for cultural communication and co-operation between Turkey and Europe. - more...

Open letter to the European Union

27 October 2004

Please find hereafter an open letter sent to different European politicians and signed by EFA in order to support its content.
OPEN LETTER

Brussels, 5 November 2004

- more...