Art and Culture Vs Xenophobia

Project facts

Project promoter:
Artifactory(GR)
Project Number:
GR-ACTIVECITIZENS-0033
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€76,091
Final project cost:
€74,553
Donor Project Partners:
Kulturskolen i Ås (Art & Music School) / Ås Municipality(NO)
Other Project Partners
Βaumstrasse(GR)
Programme:

More information

Description

"Art and Culture Vs Xenophobia" is a project to tackle the phenomenon of xenophobia and hate speech, due to lack of inclusion and tolerance towards the ‘Other’, with Art and Culture as tools. The project includes:

  1. Research and collection of good practices through an open call to civil society organizations, visualization of data
  2. Meeting and workshops "Art and Culture Vs Xenophobia" c) Good practice exhibition and presentation during the meeting and online
  3. "Art and Culture Vs Xenophobia" performance  d) Photo exhibition on xenophobia

The aim of the project is to support networking, promotion and empowerment of organizations dealing with combating racism and xenophobia in Greece and Norway, through the promotion of Best Practices projects which have been implemented for this purpose with Art and the Culture as tools. The project also aims to raise general awareness against racism, intolerance and the promotion of equality and respect for diversity through Art and Culture. With the completion of the Art and Culture Vs Xenophobia, 500 civilian executives in Greece and Norway will have deeper knowledge of project methodologies dealing with the issue of xenophobia and 1000 citizens will have been informed and aware of the issue of xenophobia.

Beneficiaries of the project are civilian organizations in Greece and Norway, social and cultural groups, artists, policy makers, public bodies, trainers of all levels, school students,. Also new journalists, Bloggers, Contributors, Photographers, Journalists. Scientists / Researchers.

Summary of project results

According to "A Union of Equality: EU Action Plan to Fight Racism 2020-2025," racism is deeply ingrained in EU societies, interwoven with cultural roots, heritage, and social norms. The action plan emphasizes the crucial role that culture can and should play in combating discrimination and racism, promoting social inclusion, diversity, equality, and tolerance. "Art and Culture Vs Xenophobia" is a project to tackle the phenomenon of xenophobia and hate speech, due to lack of inclusion and tolerance towards the ‘Other’, with Art and Culture as tools. The aim of the project was to support networking, promotion and empowerment of organizations dealing with combating racism and xenophobia in Greece and Norway, through the promotion of Best Practices projects which have been implemented for this purpose with Art and the Culture as tools. The project also aims to raise general awareness against racism, intolerance and the promotion of equality and respect for diversity through Art and Culture. 

The project was implemented by three partners: Artifactory (Greece), Kulturskolen i Ås - School of Art and Music of the Municipality of Ås in Norway, and Dromos me Dentra - Baumstrasse (Greece). It involved extensive research, collection, and presentation of 39 best practices by representatives of civil society organizations during the "Art and Culture against Xenophobia" meeting held at the Municipal Market of Kypseli from September 2-7, 2021, and in Norway from September 24-26 at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Ås. An international photo and video exhibition titled "Tolerance(s)" was showcased at the EOS gallery in Athens and Norway on September 24-26, along with the online music performance “Every Trip is a Trip One-Way” by Baumstrasse. The presentation of good practices and the report "Tolerance(s)" continued online.

Beneficiaries of the project were 39 civil society organisations in Greece and Norway and their members, social and cultural groups, artists, public bodies, trainers of all levels, students, young journalists, photographers, journalistic organisations, LGBTQi, Roma, refugee and immigrant artists, policy makers and the wider audience
that participated in the events (1000 people in Athens and Norway) but also the online audience that watched the concert online.

 

Summary of bilateral results

The project identified and highlighted best practices, projects, tools, and processes that promote social cohesion and well-being through culture and the arts. It facilitated networking and promoted the development of new projects, tools, and processes. Additionally, it promoted the work of artists to both the artistic community and the general public through a month-long media campaign and an exhibition of artistic works that explore the different facets of the Other. The meetings and workshops established a framework for the exchange of practices, processes, and tools, fostering creative intercultural dialogue. The digital categorization resulting from these interactions created a comprehensive resource. Through the research initiative, which involved collecting and disseminating best practices, the project contributed to the formulation and decision-making in public policy. In this framework, the partners'' contribution highlighted best practices in both countries.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.