CJ#2 - a new EU culture budget & #CultureEuro
value of culture
The biggest news in our field of interest in the last weeks was certainly the announcement of the new EU creative budget for the next 7 years. Its volume (€2.44 Billion) and particularly its 66% percentage increase is a welcomed acknowledgement about the value of culture in general. It reflects also the increasing importance of the creative sector, accelerated through the pandemic. A significant percentage of workforce segments (e.g.: “startups”, “younger employees”, “SME´s”) plans to either continue to work from home as much as possible, to become “independent creator” or both - another hint for the continuing dramatic changes, we will witness in this decade.
Yet, what would #culture” be, if it could not enrich our daily lives in a wide variety of possibilities. With the upcoming football craze during the one-year-belated European football Championship #Euro2020, we can refresh an idea from 2018 - this time called: #CultureEuro.
As much as we are all relieved, that some kind of normality returns and that we are able to integrate culture back into our lives, we should not be deaf to the warning “winter is coming” (will the numbers increase again?). In this context, reflections about the need for flexibility when facing the changes of this decade will be always helpful.
With the Culture Journal, I share with you selected thoughts and information from “Culture & Europe".
Enjoy!
Wigbert Boell
content
the new creative Budget of the EU 2021-2027
#CultureEuro - a treasure chest of shared cultural knowledge
Culture & Change
upcoming
good to know
the new creative Budget of the EU 2021-2027
After much deliberation and negotiations, the European Union agreed on a new “creative budget” for the years 2021-2027. This €2.44 Billion has much to offer. It seems, that finally there has been a paradigm shift and the the fact, that “culture” is not only a necessity (certainly more than a “nice-to-have”), but rather an integral part and building block of our Union - this truth seems to be finally have arrived in the minds of the majority of policy makers.
With culture and creativity at the heart of changes, this new budget allows for new thinking (as described in the last CJ issue about the “New European Bauhaus”), new programs, extended support (e.g. for #CulturalHeritage) and so much more. Much of the main objectives and novelties can be found at the official launch page, which also contains a link to the press release and the CfP´s (calls for proposals) in 3 sectors, too.
The main objectives are:
safeguard, develop and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage
increase the competitiveness and economic potential of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the audio-visual sector
There is a variety of interesting aspects in the general strategy. For example the "stronger emphasis on transnational creation and on innovation” encourages cross-country cooperation for startups with the idea of developing a growing international scope for the EU in the global competition. The "easier access to funding through higher co-financing rates” aims in the direction. Budget allocation shall be quicker and less bureaucratic, which of course is a high aim for the institution.
As expected, the budget has been highly discussed already in press & social media. It is my impression overall, that a certain optimistic forward-looking attitude is paired with the fat-belly exhaustion and/or survival desperation coming out of the pandemic. This new budget therefore comes exactly at the right time.
With it arrives increased & renewed support for the following programs & initiatives
MEDIA (incl. “European Film” support)
NextGenerationEU (stimulus package in relation to Covid19)
Horizon Europe (research & innovation, incl.: “culture, creativity and inclusive society”)
Erasmus (education & youth)
Creative Europe (“Culture & Creativity”)
(new:) EIT-KIC (“Knowledge & Information Community”)
What this all means? Well, it is too early to tell. Certainly increased possibilities & chances for every “creative” European - because these programs are made for us!
The budget is on the one hand a kind of relief measures for reconstruction efforts, but on the other hand a fertiliser for the future. Summarized in the words of EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel (via euractiv.com):
“...Indeed, the cultural and creative sectors have really been hit very hard by the COVID crisis, with a loss of over 30% of their revenues in 2020 – particularly impacted are performing arts, live music and festivals.
This crisis represents a huge challenge for the sector and I know the struggles of facing an uncertain future. We must also consider that this may also represent an opportunity to embark the entire sector in a transition towards a model that will be more resilient, more sustainable and that will make the most out of the digital transformation. …”
#CultureEuro - a treasure chest of shared cultural knowledge
What´s up with sports & culture? Is it part of the CC sector? Well, this debate has been going on for a while - but this is NOT what #CultureEuro is about. In fact, it is quite the opposite - a possibility to combine a cultural exchange during (and around) a major sports event - the one-year-delayed #Euro2020.
During the last football WorldCup (2018), a twitter colleague in the German twitter-sphere came up with the idea to exchange cultural tips from the countries, which are playing - especially during boring matches. A few others from our culture-bubble & me immediately jumped on this opportunity and started browsing our own archives, looking for CD´s (sic!), books or notes from our last travels from the countries, which were currently on. This grew fast & exponentially, so that at the end of the tournament, there was a treasure chest of shared cultural knowledge. The #KulturWM (#CultureWorldCup) became a joyful sharing game - a road of discovery to ever new content about #culture from the nations in the tournament.
#CultureEuro aims to revive this idea. On June 11, the Euro2020 starts with the match Turkey-Italy (#TURITA). Immediately, I could come up with dozens of ideas, what maybe to share. From #CulturalHeritage places, (some of them in danger) to classic literature - or paintings - there is so much to (re-)discover!
Now, I am curious, how it will play out, because no one can ever predict a #hashtag virality. But, if you are reading these lines, just join in on any social media platform and share! Pictures, music, links, tips etc. - whatever your personal favourites are...
For some more background read my article here and learn about some minor suggested rules, as for example:
share culture, which is not all too obvious (e.g.: “Eiffel Tower” for France), but rather hidden gems
#hashtags: #CultureEuro, #Euro2020, (German: #KulturEM)
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By the way, the year 2020 did not only miss the “Euro”, but it was also the start of the “sports” program/ section at Europeana - the digital heritage archives, with some interesting historical #football images.
Culture & Change
Beside the EU Culture Budget, the big news of course has been the end of the lockdowns for culture. This is a very local and emotional issue. As different as the impact has been for individual theatres or clubs for example, as different has been the course of the pandemic.
I don´t want to underestimate the importance of the (partly) re-opening our cultural world “after Corona” - but there are two main reasons, this can not be a main topic yet:
a) the crisis is NOT over yet. Numerous countries around the world are in fact still in the middle of it; and here at home - in Europe - the regional differences are multifold. So, while we can enjoy the summer with museum visits, cultural tours and even some art fairs and music festivals - the danger is far from over and we must prepare ourselves and our cultural work for a possible return of Corona in the winter.
b) the topic of “transformation” through and after the crisis deserves its own space. In 2016 I started to cover the topic “culture & change” with an article about “festivals & sustainability” (in German). Since then it seems to me, that the dynamics, driven by three main factors are only increasing. What these factors are? Stay tuned - I will write about it in one of the upcoming issues - but you probably know them yourself anyhow already.
upcoming (selected events from the field)
🎟 June 17 & 18, online: Europeana Aggregators Fair
“...If you're interested in bringing your content to new audiences, meeting the people who work behind the scenes to make cultural heritage available through Europeana and receiving guidance and training from experts in this field, this is an event for you!"
🎫 June 2-4, online: European Research and Innovation Days #RiDaysEU
“...European Research and Innovation Days is the European Commission’s annual flagship Research and Innovation event, bringing together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond….”
🎟 Oct., 18-20: Valetta, Malta: Muze X - shaping museum futures / museumfutures
“...This conference seeks to present the latest thinking, actions and initiatives that modestly or radically depart from the traditional museum idea, to rethink the museum of the future….”
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good to know
Over 7 Million Europeans are working in the cultural & creative sectors. (Other statements mention “3.8% of Europeans” which would be around 17 million)
The CCI generated €643 Billion in revenues in 2019, which represents 4.4% of the overall EU GDP. (a 30% loss in 2020 equals roughly €193 Billion)
Thank You for taking the time and reading (and/ or scrolling) all the way through. Hopefully you have found some value in it and are interested to continue receiving regular updates (1-2x a month). 👇🏼
