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Description
The project is the outcome of several years of cooperation between Insomnia Festival in Tromso, Norway and the international arts centre MeetFactory in Prague, Czech Republic and builds upon previous projects of artist exchange (both export and import) and educational activities, especially the Synapse 2015 project.
The name “Synapse” - written and pronounced the same in Czech and Norwegian - represents the connection and information transfer between both cultures and organisations. In four distinct work modules spread across two years, both organisations will collaborate on multiple key activities:
- An artistic residency and collaboration between a Norwegian and Czech artist, resulting in two commissioned interdisciplinary art-in-public-space installations, commenting on current social issues, including minorities status by exploring inner city peripheries and their socially excluded inhabitants;
- Norwegian-Czech team co-curating a gender-balanced and inclusive music and audiovisual programme to be presented at Insomnia Festival and at two showcase events at MeetFactory in both 2022 and 2023;
- A peer-learning programme aimed at further professionalization and expanding the capacity of independent cultural operators from local art communities in both Czech Republic and Norway, particularly Insomnia and MeetFactory;
- A cultural-manager-in-residence programme for young Norwegians and Czechs interested in gaining hands-on experience and knowledge abroad, working on the above activities, mentored by experienced professionals.
These intertwined activities aim to focus the general public’s attention on current social issues, such as social, racial, gender or minority discrimination but also the changing climate and its implications through artistic expression. Based on identified needs of local artistic scenes and communities in both Tromso and Prague the project will cater their needs and foster their capacities and further professionalization.
Summary of project results
The project was necessary because it was a continuation of several years of cooperation between 2 cultural centres - MeetFactory in Prague and Insomnia festival in Tromso. Within this cooperation project enabled the presentation of contemporary Norwegian culture in the Czech Republic and Czech culture in Norway, focusing, among others, on different minority groups. The challenge in the project was mainly personal changes in the organization team as well as in selected artistic activities.
The project was implemented at its entirety. We organized residencies of a Czech and a Norwegian artist and launched an exhibition in Tromso, Norway and in MeetFactory, Prague. In total, we organized concerts of 8 musicians in Prague and 9 musicians in Tromso. The events were, among others, focused on social issues and inclusion. We also sent two cultural managers from the Czech Republic to Norway and hosted two cultural managers from Norway at MeetFactory in Prague, where they participated in the running of the organisation. In addition, we held two public training events for audience building and funding of organisations. This was especially important for knowledge sharing and networking.
The aim of project was to develop and to strengthen the audience of MeetFactory and Insomnia festival.We also paid attention to social issues.We organized internships for 4 cultural workers,opened 2 exhibitions and did 6 music events in Prague and Tromso.Thanks to opportunity to present topics that we usually don''t communicate(e.g. inclusion,minorities)we managed to expand the audience of both cultural centers.The indicator was the great interest of the public-total attendance was 92 233 people.
The project was very successful in fulfilling its programme and main objectives-to focus attention on contemporary issues(discrimination,social and ecological problems etc)and their subsequent reflection in art.Through its various activities the project made contemporary art accessible to a wider public and helped to broaden the audience of both organisations.The fulfilment of these objectives has significant potential for long-term impact of functioning of both organisations and all involved.
Summary of bilateral results
As the activities took place in Prague, as well as in Tromso, the participation in the project was equal and symmetrical by both organizations. MeetFactory and Insomnia were equally participating at all the project activities - curating the artist selection both for music and visual artists and helping with production of music performances and exhibitions. Both organizations facilitated job shadowing for cultural managers and organized public events focused on, among others, local communities. Furthermore, the project is outcome of several years of cooperation between Insomnia and MeetFactory and builds on previous projects. As mentioned above, the main results of the collaboration were 2 exhibitions, 6 music events, 4 cultural workers exchanges and 2 public workshops. Activities took place both in Prague and in Tromso. The project also helped in developing, professionalization and capacity-building of both organizations and was focused on minorities and social problems.