European study on non formal learning of artists mobility

The research project “Moving and Learning” has been selected in the framework of the Community Education Programme Life Long Learning, Key Activity 1, Studies and Comparative Research. Mobility, especially that of people, provides no immediately quantifiable statistics, so it cannot be always scientifically studied. The results, as well as the benefits, are based on travel, non-formal learning, exchange or experiences, and are only measurable on a qualitative and a long-term basis. The learning effect and impact of artists’ mobility in the EU and elsewhere in the world has not yet been properly assessed. This study aims at analysing and comparing the learning (formal and informal) potential of artists in mobility and at identifying standards, conditions and schemes of learning that contribute to innovation. The partners of the project are: mobility funders and schemes as well as research institutions and policy advocators. The partnership is composed by 8 partner institutions under the leadership of ENCATC (European Network of Cultural Administration Training): Fondazione ATER Formazione (IT), IN Teatro (IT), Universidad de la Iglesia de Deusto / Deustuko unibertsitatea (ES), Regional Obseravtoty on Financing Culture in East-Central (HU), Centre of Professional Training in Culture (RO), Politiques publiques, Action politique Territoires – PACTE (FR), and EMIRA
It is expected that the project will carry out a sampling research in at least 10 EU countries and produce a comprehensive study with strategic recommendations to policy makers, funders of mobility and training institutions for cultural management. The Specifications of the study will be to:
· Analyze the situation of Artists’ mobility in Europe, namely, in at least 10 Member States from an educational and life long Learning point of view.
The analysis should concern:
· The different traditions of artists’ mobility when linked to an educational and professionalisation approach;
· The professional education paths of the artists and alternative ways for development and acquisition of specific skills namely the artist that can create new knowledge and art forms in the context of the pragmatics of the creative industries as well as people who ‘will aspire to contribute to society in a full and meaningful way
· The capacity and potential of artists’mobility to be an instrument of life long learning scheme;

The study will be published in 3 languages (EN, FR, DE) and disseminated all over the EU and outside the Community. The results of this project will represents an important contribution to the EU year of Creativity and innovation in 2009.

Culture Sector platform, Access to culture

On Thursday, 5th June 2008 the first meeting of European Civil Society actors from the cultural sector took place in Brussels. This meeting is one of the follow ups to the European Agenda for Culture endorsed last November, by the Culture Ministers of the EU Member States on the basis of the Communication presented by the Commission in May 2007.This first-ever Agenda for Culture in Europe launches a new era in the way Member States, European institutions and cultural stakeholders work together in order to respond to some of the major challenges faced by the cultural sector.Three major objectives for the common work of these stakeholders have been identified: promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue; promotion of culture as catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy; and promotion of culture as a vital element in EU external relations.The European agenda for culture calls for the culture and creative sector to contribute to this new strategy for culture. Following an information session organised in Brussels on 19 February to which the President Of the Cimetta Funds has participated and the publication of a call for expressions of interest that we have duly submitted. This call gave organisations from the culture sector the opportunity to express their interest in participating in the new culture platforms. The Commission announced us that the our organisation has been invited to the first constitutive meeting of the platforms on access to culture .This first meeting took place on 05th June with the objective to establish a platform's work programme as well as designate its governing bodies (chairperson, secretariat and bureau). Invited organisations have received an invitation and all useful information by email.Through the presence of the Presidency in Brussels, it is our firm intention to continue to participate to this platform for several important reasons:
to secure the place of mobility of artists in the Mediterranean on the agenda of the platform
to ensure the importance reserved to the artistic sector in the Mediterranean in the framework of the European external relations
To give voice to Mediterranean cultural operators who can't for evident reasons attend the meetings of the platform in Brussels.
I therefore suggest to all those who wish to contribute indirectly to the work of the platform via my person to contact me and send to me suggestions or comment.
As soon as the report of the first meeting will be available I will send it to you.
Judith Neisse