Keynote conversation
Debate about the role of arts and cultural institutions in addressing some of the most pressing societal challenges of our times: climate change and the erosion of democracy.
Alison Tickell – CEO and Founder, Julie’s BicycleJasminko Halilovic – Founder and Director-General, War Childhood Museum
Moderation
Paulo Pires do Vale – Commissioner, National Arts Plan
Creative impact: How arts are transforming communities across Europe
Arts organisations across Europe are redefining how arts shape society, empowering communities to become agents of change in the world around them. Practitioners will share stories of impact from their communities and discuss the unique role of art in addressing local challenges. They discussed what is needed for lasting impact and the value of connecting the local to the international.
Andrej Nosov – Director, Teatro HeartefactCatarina Câmara – Coordinator, CORPOEMCADEIACésar Oré Rocca – Managing Director, Friends of Juan Diego Florez Association. Director, Sinfonía por el PerúJules Rijssen – Network Collector, Imagine ICKarin Diamond – Artistic Director, Re-Live
Moderation
Katy Rubin – Legislative Theatre Practitioner, The People Act
Building the ecosystem for socially engaged arts: Collaboration, funding and policy
Social engagement is gaining traction in arts policy and funding. It is increasingly seen as reinforcing, not detracting from, artistic value, with audiences calling upon arts organisations to proactively respond to societal issues. However, support for socially engaged arts remains inconsistent. This session brought together public and private actors to explore their approaches in supporting arts for social impact and discuss opportunities for scaling its reach across Europe.
Fiona Winders – Development Coordinator, Culture Department, City of MalmöFran Sanderson – CEO, FigurativeKlaus Fruchtnis – Country Manager Arts in the Community Programme, Daniel and Nina Carasso FoundationMikel Zorrilla – Head of Digital Media & Communications, Vicomtech and Coordinator, H2020 TRACTIONStefan Schmidtke – Managing Director, Chemnitz Capital of Culture 2025
Moderation
Anis Barnat – Managing Director Community Arts Network
Announcement of the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts and launch of its inaugural Fellowship Programme
Luís Jerónimo – Chair of the Alliance and Director of the Sustainability and Equity Programme at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
The road ahead: Building a thriving, socially engaged arts sector in Europe
The challenges facing arts and society are also opportunities for change. This panel explored the evolving landscape of the arts, looking at how to navigate obstacles, leverage partnerships and foster a thriving ecosystem that supports artistic innovation and community engagement.
Francisco de la Torre – Deputy Head of Unit “Democracy, Equality and Culture” at the European Commission (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation)Hajnalka Somogyi – Head of Project, OFF-Biennale BudapestNatalie Giorgadze – General Director, Culture Action EuropeMieke Renders – Managing Director, Trans Europe HallesRafael Chueca – Deputy General Manager of Culture and Territory, “la Caixa” Foundation
Moderation
Luís Jerónimo – Director of Sustainability and Equity, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Presentation on roadmap for change
Results from the roadmap with recommendations and goals for collective and self-led change that attendees co-designed throughout the two days.
Katy Rubin – Legislative Theatre Practitioner, The People Act
