A shift toward participation is increasingly evident across sectors as various actors respond to technological developments and aim to create more democratic, inclusive and equal societies. Cultural participation is rooted in concepts of cultural development and cultural rights first outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Our understanding of cultural participation has since evolved from notions of citizens as passive observers, to notions of citizens who are actively involved in creation and decision making.
On Friday 18 October 2019 the Ministry of Culture, Croatia will host a public forum to explore international perspectives on participatory approaches to arts and culture, in partnership with Kultura Nova Foundation and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA). The forum will explore different types of participation and citizen engagement: from participatory cultural projects and artistic practices, to participatory policy making, governance and grant making. The forum will take place at RiHub, Rijeka from 10.00-12.00 and will comprise two panel sessions featuring international guests.
The public forum will open with a welcome and introduction from Emina Višnić, Chief Executive Officer of Rijeka 2020.
The first session will look at how major national initiatives – such as the European Capital of Culture – embrace participatory approaches to arts and culture, the session will be moderated by Magdalena Moreno Mujica, Executive Director of IFACCA and will include perspectives from Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Culture at Arts Council England; Annette Østerby, Head of Visual Art and Danish Arts Foundation at the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces; and Iva Lulić, Development and Strategic Partnerships Associate at Rijeka 2020, Croatia.
The second session will consider how participatory approaches to governance can dismantle traditional hierarchies and open discussions with governments, communities and artists. The session will be moderated by Davor Mišković, President of Drugo more, Croatia and will include perspectives from Andreja Kulunčić, Visual Artist, Croatia; Andreas Moos, Head of Funding and Cultural Promotion at Pro Helvetia, Switzerland; Dušica Radojčić from Social Centre Rojc, Croatia; and Domagoj Šavor from Clubture Network, Croatia.
The forum is open to the public, free of charge and will be held in English.
The International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) is a global network of arts councils and ministries of culture, with members in more than 70 countries. The Ministry of Culture, Croatia is the National Member for Croatia, and the Affiliate Member in the country is Kultura Nova Foundation. The public forum takes place in the context of the Europe Chapter Meeting of IFACCA from 16-18 October 2019 in Zagreb and Rijeka, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Croatia. Read more
