Transnational collaboration on developing and sharing work and projects is widespread among artists and organisations in the professional arts scene in Flanders and Brussels.[1] This exchange is in part facilitated by international network organisations in arts and culture — some of which have their main seat in Belgium, such as IETM, On the Move, the EFA, Pearle*, or Culture Action Europe (all of them in Brussels). In the cultural heritage field in Flanders and Brussels, international cooperation happens through membership of network organisations (ICOM, NEMO, etc.), engaging in the UNESCO networks, or participating in international (digitization) projects such as Europeana. Complementary to the mentioned international networks, the centres of expertise (see 7.2.1) play an active role in establishing relations between cultural professionals from Flanders and abroad.
Another impetus for professional cooperation beyond borders is provided by the framework of support measures. These include the EU support schemes (Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Interreg, etc.), in which cultural organisations and professionals from Flanders and Brussels have participated throughout the years.[2] The Flemish government also provides a range of relevant funding options. Project funding, grants, multi-year subsidies arranged by the Arts Decree, for example, can be used for deploying international activities. Additionally, it supplies in a number of schemes specifically aimed at supporting international career development or mobility (see 7.2.1). Networks such as those mentioned above can apply for project funding through the Arts Decree. Outside the policy field of Culture, we could mention the support schemes of Flanders Investment & Trade (see also 3.5.1) that are applicable to international entrepreneurial activities in the CCI, such as participating in foreign art or design fairs.
Next to funding schemes that ‘follow the actor’, we could also refer to those mentioned in 1.4.1 as relevant for supporting international cooperation by cultural professionals and organisations — such as funding by the Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs or within the context of bi-lateral relationships. Here, the goals and geographical reach of projects are more strictly defined and fit into specific government strategies.
Current minister of Culture Jan Jambon (2019-2024) has mentioned (policies aimed at) internationalisation as a priority in his policy statements on arts and culture.[3]
[1] For a comprehensive analysis of international cooperation in the arts in Flanders and Brussels, see Janssens, Joris. 2018. (Re)framing the International. On new ways of working internationally in the arts. Brussel: Kunstenpunt. For facts and figures on international activities by artists and arts organisations, see Janssens, Joris, Simon Leenknegt, and Tom Ruette, eds. 2018. Cijferboek Kunsten 2018. Brussel: Kunstenpunt, 33-178.
[2] VLEVA (see 1.4.2) provides an overview of EU funding measures in which players from Flanders and Brussels were recently honoured.
[3] Jambon, Jan. 2019. ‘Beleidsnota Cultuur 2019-2024’, 28-31; Jambon, Jan. 2020. ‘Strategische Visienota Kunsten’, 15-16.
Comments are closed.