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Description
Temporadas addressed the lack of support for artistic creation, research, and production in São Miguel, Azores, which limited opportunities for local artists. It aimed to diversify artistic programming, strengthen mediation and training, and professionalise the cultural sector. The project provided financial and logistical support to artists, ensuring fair compensation and curatorial guidance, while fostering international collaborations with partners from Iceland and Norway. Key activities included artistic programming, community engagement, and training initiatives, delivered through a shared economy model to optimise local resources.
The project achieved a more interconnected cultural ecosystem in Ponta Delgada, expanding accessibility and engaging new audiences. It directly supported artists and cultural workers, enabling them to focus on creative work, while stimulating new cultural flows and reinforcing VAGA’s role as a local and international hub. Beneficiaries included local artists, who gained professional development and international exposure, and the wider community, which experienced enriched cultural participation. The project also laid the foundation for sustained artistic production and international exchange, proving the viability of cultural investment in non-central regions.
Summary of project results
The Temporadas project was developed to tackle several key challenges in the cultural and artistic landscape of São Miguel in the Azores. The region faced a lack of sufficient support for artistic creation, research, and production, which limited opportunities for local artists. This shortage of resources and infrastructure made it difficult for artists to thrive, particularly in comparison to larger cultural hubs where such support is more readily available.
Additionally, the project sought to address the need for diversification and enrichment of artistic programming, as well as the professionalisation of the local cultural sector. There was a gap in mediation and training initiatives, which are crucial for fostering talent and ensuring the sustainability of the arts. By providing financial and logistical support, the project aimed to ensure fair compensation for artists, enhance production capacity, and offer curatorial guidance—elements often taken for granted in more established cultural centres.
Another challenge was the isolation of the local artistic community. The project aimed to break this isolation by fostering international collaborations, particularly with partners from Iceland and Norway, to bring new perspectives and methodologies to the region. This was intended to decentralise cultural movements, reach new audiences, and strengthen the role of VAGA as a key cultural institution both locally and internationally.
Ultimately, the project addressed the broader issue of cultural investment in non-central regions, demonstrating the economic and social value of the arts while laying the groundwork for a more vibrant and resilient artistic community in São Miguel.
Temporadas aimed to address gaps in the cultural and artistic landscape of São Miguel in the Azores. The region faced challenges such as limited support for artistic creation, research, and production, which restricted opportunities for local artists. To tackle these issues, the project focused on diversifying and enriching artistic programming while enhancing mediation and training initiatives. Key activities included providing financial and logistical support to artists, ensuring fair compensation, production capacity, and curatorial guidance. This support mirrored conditions typically found in larger cultural hubs, helping to professionalise the local cultural sector.
The project also promoted international collaborations, particularly with partners from Iceland and Norway, to strengthen the promoter’s role as a cultural institution both locally and internationally. Activities included artistic creation and programming, community engagement, and training initiatives. A shared economy model was used to optimise local resources and produce new content. These efforts helped decentralise cultural movements, reach new audiences, and reinforce international ties, ensuring the sustainability of the local cultural sector.
Outputs of the project included a more interconnected and dynamic cultural ecosystem in Ponta Delgada, with an emphasis on sustainability and accessibility. It expanded cultural participation by engaging audiences who previously had limited exposure to the arts. Direct financial investment supported artists and cultural workers, enabling them to focus on creative work. The project also stimulated new cultural flows and artistic centralities in the region, solidifying VAGA’s position as a cultural hub.
The collaboration with international partners led to shared results such as increased cultural mobility, creative exchanges, and professional development opportunities. Joint programming, artistic residencies, and knowledge-sharing workshops improved local understanding of international artistic practices. These partnerships not only enhanced the project’s impact but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations, including co-creation residencies and artist exchanges in upcoming editions of the Walk&Talk biennial.
Overall, Temporadas demonstrated the viability of cultural investment in non-central regions, highlighting the economic and social value of the arts while fostering a more vibrant and resilient artistic community in São Miguel.
The Temporadas project achieved significant results for local artists, cultural workers, and the broader community in São Miguel, Azores. By addressing the lack of support for artistic creation and production, the project provided financial and logistical assistance to artists, ensuring fair compensation and access to resources typically available only in larger cultural hubs. This direct investment enabled artists to focus on their creative work, fostering a more vibrant and sustainable local arts scene.
Key outcomes included the diversification of artistic programming, strengthened mediation and training initiatives, and the establishment of international partnerships, particularly with organisations in Iceland and Norway. These collaborations introduced new methodologies, expanded professional networks, and enhanced the visibility of São Miguel’s cultural sector on a European level. The project also engaged new audiences, including those with limited prior exposure to the arts, thereby broadening cultural participation and accessibility.
For artists and cultural workers, it professionalised their practice and opened doors to international opportunities. For the community, it enriched the cultural landscape, making the arts more accessible and inclusive. Institutions like VAGA saw their role solidified as a key cultural hub, both locally and internationally. The project also demonstrated the viability of investing in non-central regions, highlighting the economic and social value of the arts.
Long-term benefits include sustained artistic production, ongoing international exchanges, and the continued growth of São Miguel’s cultural ecosystem. The partnerships forged during the project are expected to endure, with plans for future collaborations, such as artist residencies and joint programming. Overall, Temporadas has left a lasting legacy, empowering local artists, enriching the community, and positioning the Azores as an emerging centre for cultural innovation.
Summary of bilateral results
The project greatly benefited from having donor partners from Iceland and Norway, which enriched its outcomes through knowledge exchange, innovative methodologies, and stronger international networks. These collaborations introduced fresh artistic perspectives and professional working models, elevating the local cultural sector in São Miguel. The partnerships also lent credibility to the project, positioning it within the broader European cultural scene and reinforcing VAGA’s role as a key institution. At a bilateral level, the project achieved shared results such as enhanced cultural mobility, creative exchanges, and professional development opportunities. Joint activities like artistic residencies and workshops deepened ties between Portuguese and Nordic cultural landscapes, while curatorial exchanges improved local understanding of international practices. These efforts expanded São Miguel’s cultural ecosystem and boosted its visibility. Plans to continue bilateral cooperation are already underway. Future initiatives include co-creation residencies, artist exchanges, and joint programming within the Walk&Talk biennial. Recent engagements, such as a guest curatorship at LIAF and a planned lecture by a Norwegian partner, highlight ongoing collaboration. The project team is also exploring long-term partnerships through European and Nordic funding schemes, ensuring the relationships built during Temporadas will endure and grow.