Signs of an unstable future for the arts are multiplying. In one-way or another, we are all concerned with getting through the current financial and political challenges. At the same time, it is becoming clear that our world is shifting radically. Instead of focusing on survival strategies, what if we turned our focus to the essential question: how to make this transition process a positive one? How can we rethink and reshape society? What future do we dream of for ourselves, our communities and the arts, and how do we make it real?  We propose a series of three working sessions based on urgent topics the Greek performing arts field is currently confronted with. Each session is meant to produce a concrete result: recommendations for both the IETM delegates and the (Greek) decision makers, to be presented through the course of the meeting.

A Greek colleague will introduce the question. We will discuss it with examples of relevant practice, and dissect and debate it before formulating steps for our positive future together. Each session will close with a list of recommendations.

Ideas on How to Make Performing Arts Sustainable When Governments Withdraw. For contemporary performing arts, it’s hard to catch the eye of a major sponsor and crowdfunding can be a hit or miss. With their high personnel investment, ephemerality, and resistance to reproduction, the performing arts can be a hard sell for those lacking priority in culture. On the other hand, our strength is in our relationships with those touched by the works we present: our audiences and the communities we work in. How can we utilize these relationships and bring them forward as a way to highlight the impact of our work when dealing with our funders and ambassadors? This working group is about creating ownership, participation, inclusion, and a feeling of belonging as a tool for financing your creative endeavours.

Speakers:
Maria Alexiou, Hellenic Network for CSR, Athens, GR
Kassiani Benou, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, GR
Hen Norton, WeDidThis, London, UK
Elli Papakonstantinou, Art Space Vyrsodepseio, Athens, GR
Jochen Sandig, Sasha Waltz & guests & Radialsystem V, Berlin, DE
Goran Tomka, Faculty of Sport and Tourism, Educons University, Novi Sad, RS

Moderator:
Corina Bucea, Fabrica de Pensule, Cluj, RO