Country Focus: Turkey

Spaces of Culture provides spaces and resources for realising cultural projects within the visual and performing arts in Turkey, as well as for discussion, training, and development opportunities for local institutions, cultural professionals, and community members interested in these fields. It contributes to a broad and diverse programme of arts-based community exchange in the regions it covers. The Turkish-European project is initiated by Goethe-Institut, the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Turkey and the Institut Français de Turquie; in cooperation with Anadolu Kültür and Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV).

In September 2022, nine Turkish participants with different backgrounds, coming from Izmir, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, and their neighbouring cities, will join us for this Country Focus: Turkey event under the scope of the Spaces of Culture Mobility Program. They reflected on the accessibility of art and the importance of arts and cultural institutions to build a community. How do you ensure that what happens within the walls of an institute, resonates with a broad audience beyond those walls? What is the added value of citizen participation? How do you make your art practice accessible?

The Netherlands has a rich cultural landscape. An increasingly visible trend extending to all disciplines is the aspect of community, inclusivity, and accessibility. More and more museums and institutions, big or small, incorporate community thinking in their practice. As a result, they include their immediate environment, creating support, sharing stories and knowledge, and making art an integral part of society.

After the Turkish guests have taken part in a panel discussion, they mingled with the audience and shared best practices and experiences, and discussed key questions in short speed dating rounds. The day ended with a plenary wrap-up and a networking reception.

Programme
15:00 Opening by Advisor Turkey Aylin Özalp | DutchCulture
15:05 Two short panel talks with the participants from Turkey moderated by Simon de Leeuw
15:45 Speed date with the audience
16:10 Plenary wrap-up
16:30 Networking opportunity with drinks

Location: VOX-POP, University of Amsterdam
Language: English