How can we strengthen independent artistic initiatives when their revitalising power is most needed? How can we make them ingrained in the life of wider communities? How to sustain the independent scene in a reality hampered by a lack of financial support and international connections, civil resistance or limited access to new skills?

The position of the independent artist is challenging, to say the least, everywhere across our continent, albeit the degrees of hardship vary greatly from context to context. Sustainable business modelling, building alliances with the civil society, fundraising and advocacy, entering international markets, engaging with audiences - these are only a few of the hills you have to climb when walking the thorny path of the independent artist.

Resilience, self-empowerment and cross-border solidarity were the keywords of our Satellite in Kyiv. The meeting brought together Ukrainian and international art professionals to empower each other to invent and adopt innovative and effective solutions for sustaining our independent art practices.

IETM Satellite programme offered a range of lectures, panels, debates, training sessions and networking activities, as well as an artistic programme that showcased local independent production.

Image in banner: © Ira Marconi