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Description
The photographers'' community in Romania does not benefit from management and representation structures and unity. Perhaps the biggest challenge for a freelance photographer is that he/she has to be an artist, manager, salesperson, PR and sometimes an accountant. In the case of amateur photographers, the challenge is the lack of finality of the artistic act and the difficult process of entering the market. The audience of the events dedicated strictly to photography is a niche and few. Thus, the beneficiaries targeted by the project will be the center''s team, 2 artists, 158 professional and amateur photographers, 1215 participants in events, 3 talented young people and 3 photographers from Norway.The role of the center is to connect photographers with each other, and photographers with other professionals in other fields. We also want it to be a hotspot where amateur photographers can grow, to be able to take the step towards entering the professional field. Last but not least, our general objective is to become the most important photo resource center in Romania by developing a management structure for the community of photographers in Bucharest and in the country. Within the project we have as specific objectives (1) The development of a photo resource center in Bucharest which by the end of the project will offer a comprehensive range of resources and services for Romanian photographers, thus contributing to the professionalization and artistic development of the community and (2) access of at least 158 photographers to professional development programs and at least 1215 people to artistic events until the end of the project, contributing to increasing access and diversification of cultural products. We have a complex program of educational programs with Romanian and Norwegian readers and events designed to promote photographers and their artwork.
Summary of project results
For professional photographers, the need for professional development was identified, a need addressed through the online masterclass with photographers from Norway, but also through the courses organized with lecturers from Norway. For the masterclass, new technologies were used to be able to connect photographers from all over the country with international photographers in an interactive but easy way. At the same time, the need of professional photographers to access a new audience is determined by their tendency to have few exhibitions and opportunities to sell their photos. The need for support for internationalization was addressed through events that connected Romanian photographers with photographers from Norway, through mentorship, creative camp, masterclasses and courses held by lecturers from Norway and through the bilateral artistic residency.
In the case of amateur photographers, the need for quality training has been addressed through courses that go beyond the occupational standard and which gave photographers access to a diverse range of lecturers, subjects and practice across multiple photographic genres.
Through the project, a space dedicated to photography courses was set up and publications, albums and magazines were purchased to constitute a library at the students'' disposal.
A photography course was authorized within the project, from which 26 students benefited by the end of the implementation period. At the same time, a mentoring program in cultural entrepreneurship and a mentoring program in photography were carried out. 7 photography workshops were organized and attended by 153 individuals.
Following a public call, an artistic residency was held, finalized with an exhibition.
In total, 18 exhibitions and 2 sales events were organized and attended by over 20,000 people.
Professional photographers who collaborate with the photography resource center have the following benefits from this project:
(1) greater visibility among the public due to organized events;
(2) much more developed pedagogical knowledge due to the trainings and mentoring activities;
(3) an increase in income following their involvement in the Photography Resource Center (as lecturers/coordinators, respectively at print sale events);
(4) a more developed professional networking thanks to the international experts with whom they came into contact within the project;
(5) more knowledge about the international photography market and how they can position themselves to develop an international career thanks to participation in masterclasses and mentorship supported by international experts.
The Center''s team gained much more professional experience, especially in the field of management thanks to this project and the international connections.
Participants in the workshops and courses held within the project have the main benefit of increasing their practical knowledge in photography.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner was involved in identifying Norwegian experts for mentoring activities in cultural entrepreneurship and photography and in preparing the masterclasses organized in the project.