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EFA FestFlash: “Sharing the creative process - Connecting Artists and Audiences”

22 September 2010

“Creativity is related to the communication process. Involving people and sharing the artistic and creative process with many people has to be at the heart of the work of cultural organisations,” says Fabrizio Grifasi, Artistic Director of the Romaeuropa Festival. This urge is in line with some of the key findings of the “Open The Door” project of the European Festivals Association (EFA). The forth edition of the newsletter FestFlash explores the importance of suitable communication approaches and the use of new and innovative (communication) technologies in the fostering of access to culture. “Open The Door” is looking for keys: How do festivals open doors to artists and audiences? Festival directors from all over Europe and beyond agree: artists are the ones who open minds in society – and festivals are the most suitable and effective platforms that bring artists and audiences together. This FestFlash presents a choice of best practices: it highlights the broad variety of innovative projects set up by festivals – and questions of course also critical aspects such as equal rights to access culture, democratic values linked to new technologies. We can set examples to increase accessible approaches through new media while keeping in mind that many doors all over Europe and the world still have to be opened! Festivals such as Romaeuropa, Gaudeamus Music Week, BBC Proms Plus, Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada or the Ars Electronica Festival, and pan-European collaboration projects such as MusMA, the European Broadcasting Festival, demonstrate different ways to reach out to audiences. The innovative and creative character of their projects is the key to their success: together with artists involved they make people reflect on societal issues. “Of course our point of view remains an esthetical one in terms of choice. But we recognise that the arts are able to give us an overview about major social issues,” underlines Mr Grifasi. Read ahead! How to commit to “Open The Door” The European Festivals Association invites all arts festivals to commit to the initiative “Open The Door” at the dedicated website: www.Open-The-Door.eu. Festivals who express their commitment are invited to submit their best practice. Related links and documents: • Download the FestFlash of the European Festivals Association 4 / 2010. • www.Open-The-Door.eu