Author: amateocomms

SOCIETY

A large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how to do things and sharing the work that needs to be done. All the people in a country, or in several similar countries, can be referred to as a society*

If we consider Europe as a society, we also conclude that within that society there is a wide variety of communities, along and across national borders, defined by geography,  religion, language, traditions, age, social structures, sexual orientation, physical conditions and personal interests. 

COMMUNITY

The people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality*

As individuals, we may be part of several communities. But how do we discover in which communities we can feel at home? How do we develop our identities as part of these communities? And how does our personal identity relate to these different communities and our wider society?

Amateo sees active participation in the arts as a core value for a free and open society. Active participation in arts and cultural activities empowers individuals to freely express themselves and can promote cultural cohesion, social inclusion and active citizenship.

* Cambridge Dictionary

COMMUNITY ART

Community art is artistic activity that is based in a community setting, characterized by interaction or dialogue with the community and often involving a professional artist collaborating with people who may not otherwise engage in the arts.’ – Tate Modern

Despite – and in some cases because of – our modern connectivity, we are witnessing a period of rising polarisation, populism and nationalism. Often the focus is on the difference between ‘us’ and the ‘others’ rather than our shared democratic endeavors.

With the uncertainty and insecurity of austerity following the financial crisis, climate crisis, Brexit and the Covid-pandemic, it seems that we retreat to our smaller communities, are less open to other opinions and less tolerant towards other groups in society.

We think making art projects together might help to change this. But how and where to start? 

CONNECT the unexpected

Amateo’s Pioneer Projects three day event, CONNECT2021 looks at the theme of ‘Home’ through the lens of Community Arts practice. We will look at ways that ‘professional’ arts organisers and networks work with non-professionals to develop interventions using shared knowledge, skills and experience to actively make a change in society and how this related to the arts and cultural activity that is already embedded in the fabric of communities to ask:
How do we work with communities that are different from our own?
How do we build bridges between different communities?
And how do we make these projects and changes sustainable?

Join us!

Having shared postcard one ‘Home is…’, and postcard two ‘Home was…’ looking at the different memories or sensations that evoke home. Now is the time to look forward and create your postcard ‘Home will be…‘. Visit the Postcards from Home project page.

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Event cancelled due to Coronavirus

A notice regarding CONNECT2020

Sadly, the negative impact of the Coronavirus outbreak has finally reached our project. After long discussions internally, monitoring of local and European authorities’ guidelines and the increasing restrictions on travel, we have made the difficult decision to cancel CONNECT2020 in Brussels. The situation in Belgium and other European countries has meant we have no option but to cancel the event.

We feel a responsibility for the safety of our guests and participants in Brussels and we respect the recommendations of the governmental institutions. This is, of course, disappointing and inconvenient for the participants, especially the inconvenience it causes on travel arrangements. But we hope everyone understands and accepts the decision we had to make in these circumstances.

If you have already transferred the participants fee to us, we are going to reimburse this during the next two weeks.

Unfortunately, we are not able to refund your travel costs. We hope that your airline is covering the costs because – it is increasingly likely – they are going to cancel European flights one after another. Lufthansa has already done so with 23.000 flights. We hope that our decision will help with the containment of the virus outbreak in Europe. We hope that all of you will stay healthy. We are very sad to announce this cancellation and we hope you can understand the decision. We hope to be able to announce a new CONNECT event in the near future when the situation makes this possible.

Our best wishes, stay safe and healthy,
Naemi & the Team of Arts Take Part, Amateo

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Previous event information below…

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CONNECT 2020 focuses on youth empowerment.

Empowering young people is a key objective for organisations of all scale and increasing priority within cultural policy. But how do we let go of control, while offering just the right amount support, challenge and experience to help young people to develop their skills and understanding?

In times of increasing mobility, social media and digitalisation, traditional arts organisations are struggling to connect with the younger generations. Structures that have been working for decades are not working anymore. Art itself has become more fluid. The traditional way of running art projects in theatre/dance/music/poetry etc. don’t always connect.

One way to get a grip on these new developments is involving young amateur artists directly in your organisation: as advisors, as artistic co-creators, as organisers or programming their own projects or even festivals. 

But how to deal with this empowerment of youth? How much freedom can they handle? And how much responsibility? Can you lead a group instead of realise your own personal, creative ideas? How can you develop your skills to become accepted and involved with your experience as a coach?  Might failure maybe a part of the concept? 

CONNECT 2020 brings together inspiring examples, provocations and practices.

WHEN: Friday 20 – Sunday 22 March 2020 (Friday at 18.00 – Sunday at 16.00)
Deadline to register: Saturday 29 February 2020

WHERE: BRUSSELS, Belgium

FOR WHO:

Creating European Pioneer Projects/Expert meeting: Amateur Associations and arts professionals (producers, directors, teachers, coordinators, cultural managers etc) who are making art with children and/or young people, network organisations and policymakers.

Interdisciplinary Creative Workshops: Young people (aged 18-25 or 16-27 with prior agreement) that want to work internationally and interdisciplinary and have relevant experience with one or more artforms themselves.

These sessions will also be valuable for arts students and people who have recently finished their studies, who want to become teachers in one of the artforms.

WHAT:

CONNECT is a combination of an international expert meeting for art professionals and amateur associations as well as a creative workshop programme for young people.

The ultimate goal of CONNECT – arts professionals and amateur associations programme is to create time and space to find a partner and design an international interdisciplinary project in the CONNECT theme. Amateo will award the three most inspiring concepts with a grant of € 2500 each.

CONNECT 2020 European Pioneer Projects Expert meeting:
Brings together art professionals and amateur associations to focus on the theme of empowerment of young people through discussions, key notes and interactive methods. 

CONNECT Interdisciplinary Creative Workshops:
The young amateur artists workshop programme is a series of 4 workshops of 90 minutes, in which a group of young international amateur artists will experiment and explore different combinations of interdisciplinary artforms; how to combine spoken word and folklore|traditional music? Or urban dance and theatre? Every workshop will be led by young mentors from 4 different European countries, with different artistic backgrounds. It is a lab of unexpected combinations. 

CONNECT also combines parts of the programme:
– Friday’s joint welcome programme includes a surprise performance and workshop
– On Saturday afternoon we explore Brussel by local safari, following an innovative cultural devepment board game, created by Lasso.
– We finish on Sunday afternoon with a mixed diversity workshop.

WHY:

Three days in a good company, watching, talking about, talking with, designing projects and making art with young people. Everywhere in Europe this work is happening but each country and region has its own approach. CONNECT is a platform where people can share their experiences, be curious, find shared goals and start international adventures together.

COST:

Participants fee for arts professionals: € 200
Young people workshop programme: € 100
Costs cover all sessions, food and shared accomodation. If you live in Brussels and don’t sleep in the Jes Sleep in, costs are: € 100 for professionals and € 50 for young participants

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CONNECT2020 is an initiative of Amateo’s Art Take Part pioneers projects, organised together MetX and Lasso (Brussels) and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

Do you want to know more? Send an email to pioneers@amateo.org or go to Facebook and check the event.