Workshop "Alternative funding structures",
Wednesday, 8 February 2012, 11.45 – 13.00 Conference Room 1

In Europe, due to the economic and financial crisis, public funding for arts and culture has been continuously cut. For artists and organisations in many non- European countries, public funding is scarce or non-existent, and often they de- pend on Western funds. In order to secure financial means, alternative funding models have emerged such as business and arts cooperation, crowd-funding, and philanthropy.

This workshop gives an opportunity to introduce and discuss different funding models for artists and organisations, especially in developing countries. Fun- ding models supporting sustainable development through long-term projects are urgently needed. A specific focus will be put on the Arab region, which is going through a period of transition and uncertainty.

What kind of funding mechanisms exist to help individual artists and cultural organisations to become independent from international donors and more sustainable in the long term? What are their opportunities and constraints?

Which models/structures could be adapted to the current situation and programmes of countries going through cultural and political transformation?

How can other and more sustainable funding structures be developed? How could closer collaboration, partnerships, and networks between donors contribute to this goal? Are there other ways, methods, and experiences?

Speakers:

Andrea Enders-Lagi (former Coordinator of the German-Nicaragua Cultural Initiative ICAN).
Basma El Husseiny (Director of Culture Resource - Al Mawred Al Thaqafy in Cairo, Egypt)
Hatem Hassan Salama (Freelancer; Cultural Manager in Alexandria, Egypt)
Lazaro Israel Rodriguez (Head Researcher for the Cultural Policies Studies Group at the Cuban Institute for Cultural Research Juan Marinello, Havana, Cuba)
Ruth Ur (Head of Arts and Development, British Council, UK)
Salif Sanfo (Cultural Manager in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)

Enzio Wetzel (Goethe-Institut, Germany)

Moderator:

Renata Papsch (Project Coordinator EUNIC MENA Creative Industries, Amman, Jordan)